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Condition: Excellent Plus
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Product Description: This Artillery Standarte Swallowtail Grouping was obtained directly from an OSS Agents son. The veteran’s name was Paul Arther. Mr Arther served in Europe during the later dates of the war, including the Battle of the Bulge. He interrupted German messages and interrogated German Prisoners. In one of the articles he describes the capture of a German who was wearing an American uniform, the prisoner was executed a shot time later. We could only have wished to have interviewed Mr. Arther himself when we purchased this group. We would have absolutely loved to have listened to where he was and who he interrogated during and after the war, and the relics which are usually found in their estates bear testimony to such.
The Artillery Standarte Swallowtail Grouping is perfectly preserved. The red base fabric is without damage or staining. The silver flatware and hand embroidered chain stitching is expertly executed and without damage. The large eagle is hand embroidered with this cotton thread giving it a three dimensional look. If you have never seen one in person, there eagles look like they could fly right off the fabric and the craftsmanship is incredible. All silver fringe is intact without thread dry rot. The swallowtail was carefully removed from the pole at the time of its capture and no tears can be seen. Just the typical holes from the special brads used to attach these to the wooden poles. the streamers are in mint condition with no damage. The steamer plates retain most if not all of their silver plating and protective lacquer. An early Standarte Bearers Gorget accompanies the swallowtail and streamers. This is a rarer produced gorget from the firm of Assmann. The gorget is in excellent condition with most of the finish remaining. All of the heavy silver plated brass links are intact and retain their dark burnishing. The reverse of the gorget retains all of its original felt backing. The group includes several photo copies of the wartime and immediate postwar photos of Mr. Arthur, including one with his wife, as well as a couple of newspaper clippings from the interviews and local papers did of him just a few years ago. This is an exceptional and historically important German Artillery Standarte Swallowtail Grouping directly from an OSS Agents son!
Historical Description: The “Standarte” was in important and iconic part of the regalia of German military, political and paramilitary units during the Third Reich. These were displayed at rallies and were used as marching standards by dedicated personnel who led units in marches and parades. German military units had various types of these flags including drum and trumpet banners, and standards for the Regiment and Battalion in both square and “swallow tail” variations. Each Standarte was a unique, hand-made work of art. They were made by highly skilled craftspeople and were held to an exceptional standard of quality. Generally, the background of the Standarte was in the unit’s Waffenfarbe, the specific color that indicated the unit’s branch of service. On this colored background, in intricate and highly detailed hand-made wire embroidery, would be heavily ornamented versions of German national emblems. The Standarte was further adorned with streamers that were specific to each organization. Few were manufactured, and fewer survive today; they are exceptionally sought-after relics of Third Reich pageantry.
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