German Helmet Identifier

This chart appeared in "Der Gauleiter" back in 1990. It was sent in by Don Falk of Denver, Colorado. Don did not know the origin of the chart but he thought it was pretty good and wanted to share it with his fellow German helmet collectors. We hope you will all find it useful. If you click on the pictures they will enlarge. Bob

Reproduction? Recognition!

Preface

During the three decades since the endof World War II there has been growing interest in the military technology of Hitler's Germany. This is especially true of the edged weaponry of the Third Reich.The unparalleled enthusiasm expressed by collectors for German WWII edged weapons continues to reach new heights. Scarcity and increased demand by collectors and investors have produced greater interest in this field of collecting than in any time in the past. Unfortunately,this increase in demand and subsequent increase in value has surfaced a real culprit to intimidate collectors- the reproduction Third Reich edged weapon.

As mentioned in my own text on Third Reich edged weapons, the one subject which collectors request information on more than any other is the subject of reproductions and how to accurately identify them. Indeed, finding a collector who has never purchased or traded for a reproduction or "parts" edged weapon is harder to find than a chained SA dagger! I know of no more disheartening experience in this hobby than to learn that oneself has squandered a sizeable sum of money on what later turns out to be a reproduction. It definitely behooves every collector to become an expert indistinguishing spurious pieces.

To date only the mere surface has been scratched on this vital subject. What is sorely needed, and has been needed for years, is a separate definitive study on reproductions.

Reproduction Nazi daggers first made their appearance immediately following World War II. Enterprising Solingen manufacturers recognised the souvenir demand for their edged weapons and hastily assembled the first "parts" daggers out of war-time surplus part sand, where needed, post-war parts. However, the major deluge of reproductions was not witnessed until the values of authentic pieces had escalated to a high enough plateau to make the manufacture of reproductions economical. Although the establishment of an exact date when the plateau was reached is an exercise in futility, the majority of collectors will place this date during the early sixties. During that time frame, the values of many authentic Third Reich edged weapons had reached the critical point making reproductions a very profitable venture. The floodgates were opened and bogus pieces were soon to be manufactured in England, Spain, and the United states, as well as in Germany. Several of the original WorldWar II Waffenfabriken (arms factories) resorted to assembling and manufacturing spurious edged weapons as a source of additional income.

Initially, the quality of these edged weapon reproductions was definitely substandard, and even the novice collector/researcher had little difficulty in segrigating the "wheat from the chaff". Unfortunately, the reproduction manufacturers refined their processes to where a highly experienced eye is now required to identify their wares.

Little has been done to turn the tide against the unscrupulous occupation of marketing spurious collectibles. It is doubtful that any future international legal restraints will hamper this operation, and reproductions will continue to be dumped into the market place in ever increasing numbers. Thus, the only rational course of action is to identify reproductions in their true relationship to the original pieces rather than ignore and, subsequently, mistake them for originals. The only defence against the reproduction onslaught is to arm oneself with full knowledge of reproduction manufacture, types, etc.

In sum, an erudite reference devoted solely to the subject of reproduction Third Reich edged weapons is long overdue, and, in my opinion, my good friend Fred Stephens is the most qualified individual on either side of the Atlantic to author such a text. This reference, which has been compiled over the past several years should more than fill the void in this all-important area.

Thomas M, Johnson,LTC, US Army.

Author's Forward

This book has been designed to serve as an identification handbook covering the basic range of reproductions of German Third Reich blades. It does not, of course, cover every reproduction - let alone every variation of reproduction -but I hope that it will equip the interested collector with enough facts and information to be able to approach the subject with some degree of confidence and competence, and that he can probe the far dark corners of this arcane subject without the unpleasant experience of getting his fingers burnt.

I have not undertaken this work in a crusading spirit - hell-bent upon destroying the market in reproduction daggers. Such an ideal would not only be impossible, but also impracticable. The moral and ethical considerations of the subject are beyond the scope of this books. The emotive in researching it has been to note that there are differences between original and reproduction daggers and because there are such differences it is worthy that they be identified and annotated.

The most important consideration that arose whilst researching this book (over a period of some ten years), was that there has never been a more propitious time at which to undertake such a study. The mass-production of reproductions has evolved through a period in which the originals have been becoming scarcer. Having had an opportunity to study the originals under conditions which held no doubts regarding authenticity, it has been an advantageous position to hold whilst sorting out reproductions to study for comparison. If this book had not been attempted now there would have been less likelihood in the future of having had the best opportunity to study with complete assuredness. In the more distant future, say 50 years hence, such a study would have been for the most part conjecture, and for the lesser part provable facts.

It is for the collectors and researchers of future years that I have really written this book - hopeful that I will give them a source of information upon which they can rely and a solid base from which to extend. It is the collectors of the present age, however, who have made the compilation of this book possible and I am indebted to a great many people for their time, effort, and sincere interest in helping me bring this work to fruition. It has been their interest, and genuinec oncern for the recording of true facts and worthwhile information that has maintained the stimulus to keep on at this work until it has emerged as a useful work of reference.

Apart from being a work of reference, this book is also something of a tribute to my dear friend, Andrew S. Walker. It was Andy who originally promoted the idea of the book to me, and whose superb photographs are to be noted in this work. Unfortunately, Andy will not see this completed book, having died in a tragic accident in June, 1975. His contributions, however, have remained valuable inclusions.

Gordon J. Whlte of Rugby, Warwickshire, has had the problem of coping with hundreds of my ham-fisted negatives, and producing the vast volume of prints from which the final selection was made.

My good colleague, and noted authority, Lt. Col. Thomas M. Johnson, US Army, responded immediately to my request for photos and information at a time when he was immersed in his own outstanding work. Tom has been an unending source of encouragement, and was kind enough to write the Preface for this work.

Andy Southern Jr., an outstanding photographer from California generously contributed his time and photographs, and they are superb.

Many other people have contributed generously to this work, and I would particularly like to single out for thanks : Thomas W. Pooler ; Joseph P. Curry; Herman A. Maeurer; Hugh Page Taylor; Andrew Mollo ; David J. Hemmings ;Mike Bassett; Peter G. Grane ; David Delich ; Leslie Cox; Lt. Col. John R. Angolia ; Carl Fermor; John Cash; Sgt. James G. Selcan USAF ; Eric Campion; Dr: Julien Milestone ; R. Moses ; Roy Butler and staff of Wallis and Wallis; Doug Nie and staff of Weller and Dufty; Wolfgang Herrman of Count Kleman Ltd. and John Lindop.

Apart from the above, a great many other people also contributed generously to this work, but elected to do so under the proviso of remaining anonymous. To all who have given me help and encouragement, I extend my warmest thanks and gratitude.

Frederick J. Stephens, 1976

Frederick J. Stephens, "Reproduction? Recogintion!", Published by the author, 1976

The Speakers Organization of the NSDAP

A large number of sub-organizetionswere under the command of the Reichspropagandaleiter. This article will concentrate on one ofthose organizations...the Speakers Corps of the Party. This sub-organization waspart of the Amtsleitung "Aktive Propaganda". The following is taken directlyfrom the 1937 "Organisationsbuch der NSDAP'' and is the most complete description of the Corps. The "Organisationsbuch'' for the years 1936, 1938, 1940 and 1943 have only minor differences in text.

Amtsleitung Active Propaganda:

The Active Propaganda had the duty of organizing all direct propaganda at mass meetings with their huge architectural settings, to the small meetings of the Ortsgruppen, and even the smaller Stutzpunkte. This put the complete propaganda speakers organization of the Party, plus their sub-sections and adjacent organizations, under the control ofthe Amtsleitung Active Propaganda. As well as the constant problems of current political questions, the organization had to indoctrinate the speakers staff with information and distribute the monthly publication, "Unsere Wille und Weg" to all propagandists in the Reich.

The activities of the speakers also called for the design and circulation of posters and leaflets, as well as keeping notes on the meetings as related to the speakers and the propaganda offices. Thus, a total overview of propaganda was known based on the statistics in all the reports from the Kreisen and Gauen.

Hauptstelle Rednerwesen:

The Hauptstelle Rednerwesen, with its sub-section "Rednerorganisation"was in charge of the total Reichs-, Gau and Kreisrednet of the NSDAP, as well as all professional speakers of the sub Party organizations and all adjacent ones as well.

This staff of speakers for the movement was to be supplied with all materials necessary. But it was stressed that the Party material was only to go to valid speakers.

The Rednervermittlung, which was the booking agency for the Reichsredner, Stosstrupprednern of the Anwarter for the Stosstrupp, was the only office authorized to perform that duty. This office also had the responsibility for the Rednerschulung section, whose duties included the education of the incoming political and professional speakers, as well as the continued education of all active speakers. Therefore, a special Reichsrednerschule (Reichs speakers school) was established for this purpose.

Die Parteiredner:

The Speakers Corps consisted of the following:

* Reichsredner

* Stosstruppredner - Anwiirter

* Gauredner

* Kreisredner

* Fachredner (professional speakers) Upon the announcement of a meeting, the description and activities had to be listed. The theme would be: a. The proficiency principle. b. Based on the reputation of the "OldFighters."

Basically there was a difference between the political speaker and the profession alone. The political speaker had the obligation, in public meetings and gatherings, to stress National Socialistideology as well bringing announcements from the government to the German people by way of the spoken word. Political speakers could only be chosen from Party members who had been a member of the NSDAP prior to January 1933, and who were already active speakers or were a Party Leader or were in the SA, SS or the HJ.

Reichs- and Stosstruppredner could only be Party members who had been active for a certain amount of time as Anwarter in the Rednerstosstrupp, and had been a student who had passed his exams in an ideology course at a Gaueducational school.

Party speakers were also "on call" to teach educational courses for the NSDAP.

Party speakers could, if they did not hold a higher rank in another Party organization, be listed by rank based on activity and seniority as follows:

Reichsredner: Hilfsstellenleiter to Hauptstellenleiter of the Reichsleitung.

Stosstruppredner: Mitarbeiter to Stellenleiter of the Reichsleitung.

Gauredner: a. Those who had been active before 14.9.1930 and since then had performed as a speaker or had a special qualification and was a Stellenleiter der Gauleitung. b. Those who could prove they had been active in the Party and had the ability as a speaker and was a Hauptstellenleiter of a Kreisleitung of the NSDAP.

Kreisredner: Had to be a Stellenleiter of a Kreisleitung of the NSDAP.

Fachredner: These were Reichs-,Gau- and Kreis professional speakers. Those of adjacent organizations and sub-organizations of the Party who were active speakers also came under the auspices of the Reichspropagandaleitung. They did not, however, hold a Party rank such as Party Leader. To remain under the auspices of the Reichspropagandaleitung one had to be proficient, have merit, and be a member of the Party.

Ausweise:

Speakers were issued special identification cards by the Reichspropagandaleitung. Illustrated is a rare card of Dr.Albeit Jaeger, who was a Party speaker of the Munich Gauleitunk. He received his card on January 1, 1935. This identification card was valid for either a quarter or half of a year. As shown on the dated stamps, they became valid with the rubber stamp overprint. It is believed that this is the first time such a card has been illustrated in a publication.

Otto Spronk, "The Speakers Organization of the NSDAP", The Military Advisor, 2002

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