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The gorgets carried by the Standard Bearers of Third Reich organizations are extremely interesting, and good-looking artifacts. They make great additions to a collection of edged weapons. The same organizations that used a unique gorget breast piece to represent the traditions of their service branch also carried a dagger for the same reasons. The two go hand in hand. They also will prove to be great accent pieces with a dagger collection. Hope you enjoy this section.
Gorgets of the Third Reich, by Richard Deeter will greatly educate you on this interesting subject. This book is available in my catalog at the back area under "out-of-print references" section.
GORGETS #29971 ARMY FELDGENDARMERIE GORGET
This army Feldgendarmerie gorget shows some mild age throughout but it is still a good solid exam and absolutely genuine. The gorget is the same as the one pictured on page 100 of the Deeter Gorget Book. This gorget first appeared in 1938 and was worn by army military police performing duties such as traffic direction, guarding supply and ammunition dumps and local patrol service. The gorget is in a half moon shape and has an edge which runs around the perimeter. The gorget is produced of a steel base having an aluminum finish. In the two upper corners there is a pebbled surface boss which acts to hold the chain mechanism with brackets in the rear. In the center there is an open-winged army style eagle which looks to the viewer’s right clutching a swastika within a wreath. The boss buttons as well as the eagle are painted with a luminous substance whereas the pieces glow in the dark. Below the eagle there is a ribboned band with the raised out name of the organization, “Feldgendarmerie”. The letters are also covered with luminous paint. The reverse of the gorget is covered in a woolen material which exactly matches the field green color of the army uniform. There is a tab on the left side of the reverse gorget which is opened so the chain can be removed. The tab on the right side is a closed example which retains the other end of the chain. In just off of the center area there is an additional gray metal tab having the maker’s initial, “M” within a diamond shape. The chain of this example is also steel having an aluminum style surface. The chain is a series of ovaled links which are retained by tabs. This is a good solid example here showing some age and usage but a good display with other army material.
GORGETS #29491C POLITICAL LEADER GORGET WITH CHAIN
The Political Leader gorget is always a crowd pleaser, as it is a large chest plate and has lots of eagles and swastikas throughout the depiction. The gorget measures about 9 ½-inches across the top shield area. It is made of a lightweight metal having a bronzed plating. The gorget is vaulted in the center area and has a border consisting of overlapping oak leaves. In the center is positioned a large open-winged political leader’s eagle which looks to the viewer’s right. This eagle’s wings are 7-inches wide. The bird is nicely detailed throughout and clutches a large wreath with vaulted mobile swastika. There are factory darkenings put into the feathered backgrounds of the bird to give it an antique effect. This faceplate has some age on the surfaces but if anything it gives it lots of character. The reverse of the faceplate is covered in a green pool table felt. It is in nice condition throughout having a couple of small moth tracks and only one hole. The hole is about the size of a small pearl. The reverse of the gorget has two folded tabs which connect to the neck chain. The right tab is stamped, “RZM N1/102”. This same RZM stamping appears on the last chain link of the neck chain. This neck chain nicely matches the bronze color of the faceplate. The chain has alternating rectangular depictions featuring a half open-winged political eagle with swastika and a mobile swastika surrounded by four oak leaves. A good example here for displaying with your collection. These political leader gorgets are becoming difficult to find and prices are going up accordingly. This gorget is the same as the one that is shown on page 128 of the Deeter Gorget Book.
GORGETS #29492C VETERAN’S 2ND STYLE GORGET WITH CHAIN
This Veteran’s gorget is an aluminum breast plate in a crescent shape which measures about 6 ½-inches in width. The aluminum shield has a raised border which runs throughout the length. In the center area there is an enameled shield which has a red pebbled background. In the center is an Iron Cross having silver bordered legs and a black swastika with silver field with black lines around it. The enamel is in good condition with no breaks. This shield has a gold triple oak leafed wreath. On either side of the shield there are the flags of the imperial time and the flags of the Third Reich time. The flags have the crown with WR and the lined swastika respectively. I noticed that one of the flag tops is missing on the outside imperial flag but the other three are still intact. This is not something that is noticeable. There is also a matching gilded boss in both top corners. These bosses retain these tabs on the other side which are the catches for the neck chain. This faceplate shows some usage and a few scratches here and there but if anything they present a sense of history. The reverse of the aluminum shield is lined with a blue black felt. There is one moth hole in about the center of the felt. Other than this it is in good shape. The aluminum tab on the right side is stamped with the numeral, “3”. The neck chain consists of 41 gilded brass links. These links alternate between raised Iron Crosses and raised mobile swastikas. The links are connected together with small wire connectors. A nice gorget here which would display well with a veteran’s armband or possibly a 1st style gorget. These are all getting hard to find and prices are going up. This example is nearly the same as the piece that is shown on page 158 of the Deeter Book. The only difference is the Deeter Book piece has a number “25” added above the shield.
