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SS Totenkopf

  • 15-12-2010 7:42pm
    #1
    HerrScheisse
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 783 ✭✭✭


    Hi guys,

    Wondering if there are any WW2 experts on here.

    Recently this item came into my possession. I gotit while rummaging in a Czech antique shop and it is a relic that was recovered from the ground (or so they told me).

    Unfortunately the front has been sprayed for appearance :-( but the rear shows corrossion that could be caused by lying in the ground. It also has the correct RZM stamp (although that does not mean much) and has the number 499/41 indicating it was manufactured by Fritz Zimmermann.

    It is extremely solid and is definitely not a cast.

    DSC_0761.jpg

    DSC_0760.jpg



    But is it real - any opinions anyone?? I know it is an item heavily faked.


Comments

  • #2
    Morlar
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,273 ✭✭✭Morlar


    I would say this doesn't look/feel right to me - but I am not an expert on it.

    I recommend this specialised area of the Wehrmacht Awards Forum :

    http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=35

    If you do a search on 'SS Skull' or 'Totenkopf' and you will find many examples posted for verification.

    Many authors and experts post there and I think it's overall the place to go for expert opinions on SS items. Good luck and welcome to the forum.


  • #3
    HerrScheisse
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 783 ✭✭✭HerrScheisse


    Hi Morlar,

    I do not have an account there but must try it. It is an early buy from the East Block and I am very curious to know if it is genuine. It has the flat prongs and is definitely produced using a stamping pocess. It is also extremely strong and rigid; The front may have been worn out from being in the ground and given a spray of paint. The corrosion on the back shows how the front would have looked. I thought the skull had cracks on the top of it but these may be worn out or filled with paint. The only way to know is to give it a bath in white spirit but i wouldn't want to do that.


  • #4
    FiSe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 821 ✭✭✭FiSe


    Running up and down the fields and forrests with metal detector is a massive hobby over in the Czech Republic and there are literrary 1000s of badges and medals scattered all over the place.
    The war ended up in there and there are many places where German soldiers were getting rid of their uniform insignia and their medals - and their weapons - just before marching into captivity. Especially, if their captors came from the east...
    So, I wouldn't be surprised if this is genuine.


  • #5
    HerrScheisse
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 783 ✭✭✭HerrScheisse


    I have good news - its been confirmed to be an original Zimmermann made of Cupal :eek:

    I always half expected it was fake so was taken by surprise; Would love to know the story behind it but that is lost to time...


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