Luftwaffe Air Traffic Controller Gorget

Product Description: This handsome Luftwaffe Air Traffic Control Gorget is a nice and complete example of this rare gorget type. The obverse has a silver finish that remains 65% intact, and features the wording “Reichs-Luft-Aufsicht” below an encircled gilt swastika flanked by outstretched wings. The wording, wings, and circle have a bronze finish that shows light wear. This gorget has an all-original, uncleaned look, with toning to the silver finish as well as deep patina. There are some scattered small marks but no damage. The reverse of this Luftwaffe Air Traffic Controller Gorget is covered with a green impregnated fabric material that is fully intact, with some surface and edge wear. The full-length chain is fixed at each end to the upper corners of the gorget. There is a central stabilizing tab on the reverse that is made of brass and maker marked C.E. Juncker Berlin. This gorget has a very appealing look, and displays very well. The condition rates as excellent.

Historical Description: Gorgets were originally part of a knight’s armor during medieval times. Long after suits of armor were abandoned, the gorget continued to be used in many European armies as a form of military insignia. In the Imperial German Army until 1914, gorgets were worn as a special mark of distinction by certain elite units. Following WWI, German paramilitary and police organizations used gorgets for standard bearers, as insignia, and to denote personnel assigned special tasks. Following the Nazi rise to power, there was a vast increase in the number of uniformed organizations, and a variety of new gorgets were instituted for use by these civil, political and paramilitary organizations, as well as by the military. Standard bearers of most organizations, who were entrusted with carrying flags at rallies and in parades, wore gorgets. Other gorgets indicated assignment to guard or security forces. The military police personnel of the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS had their own gorgets as a part of their uniforms and were nicknamed “chained dogs” by the troops, due to the chain used to suspend the gorget around the wearer’s neck. Because gorgets were never general issue to all personnel of any organization or military branch, they were manufactured in limited numbers, and are generally scarce to encounter today.