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In December 2023, the Carsten Zeige auction took place, featuring numerous items from the Third Reich period. This review examines some of the most interesting lots to provide an overview of the current pricing policies in the militaria market.
In December 2023, the Carsten Zeige auction took place, featuring numerous items from the Third Reich period. This review examines some of the most interesting lots to provide an overview of the current pricing policies in the militaria market.
An important feature of the bidding is the auction fee. A 25% commission, charged by the auction house, must be added to all stated hammer prices. This aspect should be considered when analyzing the final cost of the items.
| Item | Description | Hammer Price |
| Fire Police Officer's Visor Cap | Blue cloth, black velvet cap band, excellent condition, manufacturer's emblem inside. | 180 euros |
| Reichspost Official's Visor Cap | Blue velvet cap band, orange piping, silver national eagle, size 56, almost unworn condition. | 300 euros |
| Red Cross Leader's Visor Cap | Dark gray fabric with orange piping, characteristic "saddle" shape (Sattelform), showed signs of minor restoration. | 400 euros |
The auction featured a collection of headgear reflecting the diversity of uniforms from that era. Among the lots were visor caps for officers and officials from various services.
Each item had its own unique characteristics, such as the color of the cloth, the material of the trim, the presence of original insignia, and its state of preservation, all of which directly influenced the final price.
These examples demonstrate how departmental affiliation and condition affect the collectible value of headgear.
Awards for participation in specific military campaigns and for long service are of particular interest to collectors. Both sleeve shields and medals were presented at the auction.
The 'Crimea' sleeve shield was established for participation in the 1941-1942 campaign. The example presented was made of bronze and retained its original paper backing on the reverse. Its price was 250 euros.
Also sold was a 4-year SS Long Service Award, awarded for 4 years of service. The medal is made of blackened bronze and came with its original blue ribbon and pin for wearing. This lot sold for 800 euros.
| Item | Description | Hammer Price |
| German Cross in Gold | Unofficially known as the 'fried egg'. Silvered and gilded star. Manufacturer 'Deschler' (marked '1' on the pin). | 3000 euros |
| Pilot's Badge | Made of silver-plated non-ferrous metal. Manufacturer's mark 'C.E. Juncker Berlin SW'. Sold in its original case. | 1300 euros |
| Paratrooper's Badge | Aluminum, partially gilded badge in heavily worn condition. There is a handwritten inscription on the pin. It came with a Wehrmacht parachutist's certificate from 1940. | 1200 euros |
Items related to the air force (Luftwaffe) are traditionally in high demand. Additionally, one of the highest awards of the Third Reich was presented at the auction.
The high cost of these lots is due to their rarity, historical significance, and, in some cases, the inclusion of accompanying items such as original cases and documents.
| Item | Description | Hammer Price |
| U-Boat War Badge | Gilded non-ferrous metal. Noted as a badge from a rare manufacturer. | 900 euros |
| Fast Attack Craft War Badge | Second model (1943-45), marked 'AS', unworn condition. | 800 euros |
| Auxiliary Cruiser War Badge | Silvered and gilded metal, in almost new condition. | 750 euros |
The auction also featured rare insignia of the navy (Kriegsmarine) and an element of the Protection Police (Schutzpolizei) dress uniform.
Among the naval awards were badges for the crews of submarines, fast attack craft, and auxiliary cruisers. Each had its own manufacturing characteristics and maker's marks.
Particularly noteworthy is the shako (Tschako) for members of the Protection Police, made around 1938. It was an elegant, privately manufactured example made of vulcanized fiber and green cloth, in an officer's version with a high crown and scaled chinstrap. The shako was sold in its original leather case and went under the hammer for 1600 euros.
One of the most comprehensive lots was the archive of a corporal from the 31st Panzer Regiment 'Red Devils.' It included numerous personal items and documents, allowing it to reach a price of 2200 euros. The archive included:
Also at the auction was a tunic of an Oberfeldwebel from the elite Luftwaffe division 'Hermann Göring.' The blue cloth tunic with white piping and silver braid was adorned with a cuff title bearing the division's name. This rare uniform, in very good condition, was sold for 1800 euros.
| Item | Description | Hammer Price |
| 'Demyansk' Sleeve Shield | Award for participation in the Demyansk Pocket operation, on original backing. | 550 euros |
| Wehrmacht Senior Lieutenant's Tunic | Dress tunic for signals troops with yellow piping. | 750 euros |
| Luftwaffe Officer's Dagger | 1st model, manufacturer 'Alcoso Solingen'. | 800 euros |
| Luftwaffe Senior Lieutenant's Mess Dress Jacket | Complete with vest and bow tie. | 1200 euros |
| 'Gausieger' 1939 Badge | Badge for the winner of Hitler Youth professional competitions. | 460 euros |
| Iron Cross 1st Class (1939) | Flat version with screw-back fastening, manufacturer L/52 (C. F. Zimmermann). | 440 euros |
To conclude the review, it is worth mentioning a few more notable lots sold at the auction. They represent various branches of the military and organizations of the Third Reich.
The range varied from dress uniforms to combat awards and badges of youth organizations, demonstrating the breadth of collecting interests in this field.
