Condition: Excellent
Product Description: This 24″ Railway Eagle is a beautiful example of an extremely desirable artifact. It was removed from a train. The front shows age and weathering, but is very clean, with excellent detail to the bold and impressive eagle and swastika. On each wing, there is a hole from when this was removed from a train by a GI at the end of WWII. On the reverse, the wing bolts are missing, corresponding to the holes in the wings from the hasty removal. The threaded bolts behind the swastika and eagle body remain intact. This 24″ railway eagle is a textbook original piece, and is well marked, with a foundry logo marking, the size and designation “LOK 600” indicating a 60 cm long eagle for a locomotive, and the alloy composition “GAL-Mg. Si.” This 24″ railway eagle displays extremely well and could be the centerpiece of an advanced collection display. The overall condition of this piece is excellent.
Historical Description: During the Third Reich, all rail transport was nationalized and organized under the German Reichsbahn. Reichsbahn rail cars were state property and included everything from the locomotives used for transporting freight, to passenger cars, street cars and trolleys. In the Nazi era, and during WWII, the Reichsbahn adorned their locomotives and passenger rail cars with large metal decorative German eagle and swastika national emblems. These were made in various sizes and had a variety of finishes to suit different purposes and vehicle types. Generally, these eagles were manufactured from aluminum or zinc alloy, with integral threaded studs on the reverse that were used to affix these to the fronts of rail cars. These eagles had a striking and imposing appearance and were an iconic part of Nazi regalia. After the war, Allied denazification policies required these to be removed. Many were destroyed, though these were eagerly sought after by Allied troops hunting for souvenirs. They are extremely collectible and desirable artifacts today.
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