German militaria

Unteroffizier Sölken served in the 220 Panzer Pionier Btl. of the 21. Panzer Division which fought strong delaying actions against the allied troops in the region of Lothringen and Saarpfalz in 1944. In January 1945 the 21. Panzer Division was ordered to participate in the Nordwind offensive. The unit fought in the famous tank battle at Hatten on January 16 and after that advanced through the Hagenau forest in the direction of Rohrwiller where the division was once more heavily engaged with the Americans. For his actions during the Nordwind offensive Uffz. Sölken was awarded with the Eisernes Kreuz II Klasse and Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz.

By February 1945 the 21. Pz. Div. was rushed to the eastern front in the vicinity of Rietschen along the Neisse river. The division fought the Russians while it retreated towards Weisswasser and finally Cottbus. For his actions on the eastern front Sölken would be awarded with the Infanterie Sturmabzeichen.

His last known unit was a Kampfgruppe, named Pz. Gren. Btl. Bischoff. Most probably made up from the last remnants of the 21. Panzer Division. The Soldbuch comes with a nice set of photos of Sölken, his family and his unit.

Verwundeten Abzeichen im Silber document to Sanitäts Unteroffizier Gerhard Genäht, 4. Kompanie Panzerjäger Abteilung 12. His unit was part of the 12. Volksgrenadier Division which fought in the opening days of the Battle of the Bulge and attacked Losheimergraben on December 16 1944. It fought its way through Belgium until sustaining heavy losses in the region of Hierlot. On 13 January 1945 Sanitäts Unteroffizier Gerhard Genäht was wounded for the third time during the war. On this date the 12 VGD was positioned in Vielsalm. His VWA document was signed by the Abteilungskommandeur on the 4th of February 1945 when the 12 VGD was engaged in the area of Gemünd.

Nice original Dienstglas in tan colour. Nicely marked CAG indicating production by Swarovski. The binoculars are usable but there is some dust inside the lenses. The Strichplatte is firmly in place in the right eyepiece.

A nice fur issued Heer fur hat in mint condition. Nicely marked RBNR and size 58 which is a nice large size for the time period. The cap is in very good condition and the fur still retains most if not all of its hairs.

Very nice original aluminum ammunition case in two tone camouflage pattern in good used condition. The box retains a piece of shrapnel embedded to the side of the box. Very nice original shrapnel damaged ammunition box!

A nice aluminum Kriegmarine belt buckle marked R. Sieper & Sohne Lüdenscheid 1938. Hard to find in good condition with 95% of the original gilt finish remaining!

Nice original tropical bayonet frog in good used condition. Easily matched to a bayonet in the same condition!

A killer pair of late war Gebirgsjäger lowboots in unissued condition. The pair is matching and complete with its original laces, original hobnails and cleats to the soles. The boots would make a perfect addition to a Gebirgsjäger or late war Waffen-SS setup. Rare to find in this condition!

Very nice pre war straight E-tool marked bovo in good used condition with its original leather carrier.

Stunning example of a untouched Heer EM/NCO field cap. The cap is a great example of a wartime converted EM/NCO M42 field cap with a added visor. The cap retains its originally triangular sewn T-eagle and retains its two buttons from which the top one is loose but held in place by the buttonhole. The cap is nicely lined in rayon showing remnants of the markings in the crown. The cap is a nice medium size most probably 56. The cap shows loads of character; to me this cap really has it all.

Pre war P08 Luger holster in good used condition. Nicely maker marked and dated Auwaerter & Bubeck AG Stuttgart 1936. The holster has a name inside and a number on the back most probably corresponding to the serial on the Luger that was once carried inside.

Rare original reversible winter parka for Heer and Luftwaffe in the rare late war reversed Splittertarn camouflage pattern.  The garment is in unissued condition with minor storage wear to the white side. The garment retains all of its originally sewn buttons and strong vibrant colours. The garment is nicely marked RB Nr. 0/0560/0042 and a good mannequin size. Very hard to obtain original garment in a rare camouflage pattern!

A very nice original stainless steel(!) spoon and fork combination that was issued to a large portion of members in the German army. Nicely maker marked WJS40 and Rostfrei.

Very nice and supple pre war K98 bayonet frog in brown leather.

Nice original US M3 fighting knife by Kinfolks inc with a US M8 scabbard. Knife is sharpened but complete with scabbard and original leather lace.

Very nice and large equipment belt in the large size 105. Nicely maker marked and dated 1941, named to Hans Scheuringer.

Nice original black bakelite Dienstglas case.

Nice original MG34 and MG42 ammunition box in good used condition.

Mint late war M31 Splittertarn Zeltbahn in mint condition. The Zeltbahn is in mint condition and has a rare lemon green base colour. Nice strong, vibrant colours and complete with all ropes and buttons – perfect example that’s impossible to upgrade.

Rare original metal Waffen-SS cap skull by Assmann marked Ges Gesch. The eagle has both originally factory soldered prongs. Very nice original Waffen-SS cap skull in good used condition.