Germany, Wehrmacht. The Awards, Documents, And Accessories Of Major Der Reserve Karl Schulz

(Wehrmacht Besitz). This is an extensive and fascinating lot of awards, documents, and accessories from the estate of Major der Reserve Karl Schulz, consisting of the following:

1. A group of nine loose awards, including a modified Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with a II Class frame and core, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central mobile swastika, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1939”, the reverse six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm with an integral loop and suspension ring connecting to a period original neck ribbon with a metal clasp, unmarked, measuring 44.38 mm (w) x 49.87 mm (h), weighing 21.1 grams, in extremely fine condition; a shortened length of Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross neck ribbon, constructed of multi-coloured rayon ribbon, measuring 46 mm (w) x 302 mm (l), in extremely fine condition; a 1914 Iron Cross I Class, constructed of iron and silver, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with a block hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, unmarked, measuring 42.37 mm (w) x 42.35 mm (h), weighing 18.7 grams, in near extremely fine condition; a 1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross II Class, Type II, constructed of silvered tombak, the obverse consisting of a Wehrmacht eagle perched on top of a wreathed mobile swastika, in turn on top of a trapezoidal plaque bearing a raised date of “1939” on a pebbled background, the reverse with four attachment prongs connecting to a period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 29.44 mm (w) x 30.53 mm (h), weighing 9.0 grams (inclusive of ribbon), with oxidation and loss of finish evident, in overall fair condition; an Infantry Assault Badge, Silver Grade, constructed of silvered feinzink, the obverse consisting of an oval oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, topped by a Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, diagonally across the badge is a Karabiner 98k rifle with the bayonet attached and carrying sling hanging from the rifle, the reverse with a barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting an integral catch, unmarked, measuring 47.89 mm (w) x 62.68 mm (h), weighing 32.5 grams, with most of the finish lost, in overall very fine condition; an Eastern Front Medal, constructed of silvered and patinated zink, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised Heer-style German national eagle clutching a swastika, the reverse bearing an inscription of “WINTERSCHLACHT IM OSTEN 1941/42” (“WINTER BATTLE IN THE EAST 1941/42”), above a crossed sword and laurel branch, topped by a Stahlhelm and stick grenade, unmarked, measuring 35.68 mm (w) x 44.22 mm (h), weighing 18.8 grams, in near extremely fine condition; a West Wall Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of an oval oak leaf wreath, the obverse bearing a raised pillbox, topped by a crossed sword and shovel and a Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing an inscription of “FÜR ARBEIT ZUM SCHUTZE DEUTSCHLANDS” (“FOR WORK IN THE DEFENCE OF GERMANY”), unmarked, measuring 33.48 mm (w) x 46.02 mm (h), weighing 18.3 grams, an Imperial Wound Badge, Gold Grade, constructed of gilded bronze, the obverse consisting of an oval oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, with a central Stahlhelm on top of crossed swords on a pebbled field, the reverse with an integral vertical pinback, unmarked, measuring 38.24 mm (w) x 42.96 mm (h), weighing 5.4 grams, in extremely fine condition, and; an Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with crossed swords through the centre, the obverse bearing central wreathed dates “1914-1918”, the reverse maker marked with the logo of Reichsverband Pforzheim, measuring 38.16 mm (w) x 42.39 mm (h), weighing 14.4 grams, in better than very fine condition; also included is a stick pin with an unidentified unit insignia, constructed of silvered bronze, unmarked, measuring 14 mm (w) x 15 mm (h), in better than very fine condition.

2. A medal bar featuring four decorations, including a 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with a restitution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with three central oak leaves, the six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm with initials “FW” topped by a royal crown, unmarked, measuring 42.04 mm (w) x 46.60 mm (h), in better than very fine condition; a House Order of Hohenzollern, Knight’s Cross with Swords, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with white and black enameled arms, with the arms joined through the quadrants by a green enameled laurel and oak leaf wreath and with crossed swords through the centrepiece, the obverse with a central white enameled disc bearing a hand-painted Hohenzollern imperial eagle, within a blue enameled ring bearing a silvered inscription of “VOM FELS ZUM MEER” (“FROM THE CLIFFS TO THE SEA”), the reverse with a central white enameled disc bearing a hand-painted monogram of Kaiser Wilhelm I, the twelve o’clock arm with a hollow crown suspension connecting to a period original ribbon, the six o’clock arm bearing a maker’s mark of “JG & S” for J. Godet & Sohn, Berlin with a silver content number of “938”, measuring 39.14 mm (w) x 59.02 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; an Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with crossed swords through the centre, the obverse bearing central wreathed dates “1914-1918”, the reverse maker marked with the logo of Reichsverband Pforzheim, measuring 38.18 mm (w) x 42.40 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition, and; a Civil Service 25-Year Faithful Service Cross, constructed of silvered bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms, joined through the quadrants by an oak leaf wreath, the obverse with a central black swastika, the reverse with a central inscription of “FÜR TREUE DIENSTE” (“FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE”), unmarked, measuring 39.70 mm (w) x 46.02 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; affixed to a 125 mm-long magnetic metal bar with a horizontal pinback and red wool reverse liner, retaining a maker’s label reading “FR. ACKERMANN, KOBLENZ”, in extremely fine condition; accompanied by a ribbon bar featuring seven decorations, including a 1914 Iron Cross, a House Order of Hohenzollern, an Eastern Front Medal, an Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918, a Civil Service 25-Year Faithful Service Medal, a Sudetenland Medal, and a West Wall Medal, affixed to a 106 mm-long magnetic metal bar with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, in very fine condition.

3. A Heer Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 400 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 260 mm-long magnetic metal blade with a sharpened tip and edges. The blade presents plain with the exception of a maker’s mark near the reverse ricasso of “ALCOSO, SOLINGEN”, for the former firm of Alexander Coppel, circumscribing the company’s scale logo. It sits securely within a silvered zink alloy upper crossguard, with the seam covered by an intact brown leather buffer pad. The obverse of the crossguard presents with a raised Wehrmacht national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, while the reverse features Schulz’s etched monogram. A single piece of ribbed light brown celluloid comprises the handle grip, while the dagger is held together by a rounded pommel which features raised oak leaves around the circumference. Wrapped around the dagger is an original portepee, constructed of silver aluminum wire and consisting of a stylized acorn suspended from a cord. The dagger is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a pebbled magnetic metal shaft. Dual integral bands are set into the upper third of the shaft, each bearing raised oak leaves, completing in loops for the accommodation of a dagger hanger. The throat retains a functional spring catch, securely holding the dagger in place during storage, held together by dual side rivets. Running marks are evident to the blade, with minor loss of finish visible to the silvered features, but the dagger is in an overall extremely fine condition. It includes a period original dagger hanger, consisting of two field-grey doeskin wool straps, trimmed on the obverse with silver aluminum wire tresses. Each strap completes in a functional silvered zink spring clip, and features an adjustable buckle of identical construction. They are suspended from a silvered zink alloy buckle, riveted in place with magnetic metal studs. Measuring 275 mm in length, the hanger is in an overall better than very fine condition

4. A collection of award documents named to Schulz, including one for a 1914 Iron Cross II Class, issued on 15 June 1915 as part of Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment 236, measuring 210 mm (w) x 284 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition; one for a 1914 Iron Cross I Class, issued on 7 October 1916 as part of Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment 236, measuring 285 mm (w) x 374 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition; one for an Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 with preliminary notice, issued on 6 March 1935, measuring 212 mm (w) x 148 mm (h), in overall extremely fine condition; one for a Civil Service 25-Year Long Service Cross, issued on 26 September 1938 and naming Schulz as a Lutheran rector, measuring 212 mm (w) x 296 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; one for a Sudetenland Medal, issued on 5 October 1940 and named to Schulz as a SA-Standartenfüher, measuring 220 mm (w) x 296 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; one for a West Wall Medal, issued on 20 March 1940 and named to Schulz as a Hauptmann, measuring 150 mm (w) x 212 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; one for a 1939 Iron Cross II Class, issued on 23 December 1939 and named to Schulz as a Hauptmann of Infanterie-Regiment 208, featuring a handwritten signature of Generalleutnant Karl Strecker, measuring 140 mm (w) x 200 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; one for a 1939 Iron Cross I Class, issued on 22 June 1940, named to Schulz as a Hauptmann of Infanterie-Regiment 208, featuring a handwritten signature of Generalleutnant Karl Strecker, measuring 140 mm (w) x 200 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; one for a Gold Grade Wound Badge, issued on 13 March 1943 for a single wound suffered on 12 August 1942, named to Schulz as a Major of Infanterie-Regiment 699, measuring 142 mm (w) x 200 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; one for an Eastern Front Medal, issued on 11 September 1943 and named to Schulz as a Major of of Füsilier-Regiment Feldherrnhalle, featuring a handwritten signature of Generalleutnant Ulrich Kleemann, measuring 142 mm (w) x 200 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; a notice that Schulz has been nominated for the Knight’s Cross, issued on 27 September 1942, certified on 3 October 1942, measuring 212 mm (w) x 148 mm (h), with some tearing evident, in overall very fine condition; a Knight’s Cross preliminary award document, issued on 19 September 1942 confirming the award was bestowed the previous day, named to Schulz as a Major of of Infanterie-Regiment 699, featuring a handwritten signature of Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel, measuring 140 mm (w) x 200 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; also included is a document for a Bronze Grade Honour Cross of the German Mother, named to Anna Schulz (née Hollweg), measuring 210 mm (w) x 296 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; also included is an extensive group of documents and correspondence to Schulz from the Imperial, Third Reich, and Federal Republic period, with examples pertaining to his military service and work as a Lutheran lay pastor, in overall near extremely fine condition. Included in this collection is Schulz’s Ahnenpaß, which includes records of his lineage demonstrating Aryan descent, remaining in an extremely fine condition.

5. A pair of shoulder boards, including an Imperial Heer Leutnant board, constructed of white wool, the obverse bearing four bands of silver aluminum wire piping interspersed with black threaded chevrons, pinned with gilded bronze numerals “236”, the reverse with an integrated wool strap, unmarked, measuring 45 mm (w) x 92 mm (l), in fair condition, and; a Heer Infantry Major board, constructed of cardboard-reinforced white wool, the obverse bearing four bands of interwoven silver aluminum wire piping, unmarked, measuring 36 mm (w) x 110 mm (l), in better than very fine condition.

6. A personal grooming kit, consisting of brushes, power bottles, cuticle tools, a shoehorn, and mirror, constructed of non-ferrous polished metal and lacquered dark brown wood. They are accompanied by a period original brown leather case, opening with a functional zipper. Measuring 255 mm (w) x 185 mm (l), the set is in an overall near extremely fine condition. It is accompanied by an assortment of other personal effects, including a razor with its original brown leather carrying case, the latter measuring 54 mm (w) x 100 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; a collapsible three-piece silver cup, constructed of silver, unmarked, measuring 67 mm (w) x 68 mm (h) when assembled, the base bearing a stamped mark of “WMFM”, in near extremely fine condition; a glass cologne bottle, unmarked, measuring 43 mm (w) x 43 mm (l) x 120 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition; a pair of glasses of unknown prescription, accompanied by spare UV-protective lenses and case, marked “ESCHER, DÜSSELDORF”, the arms are broken, in overall fair condition, and; a brown leather pouch, opening with a functional magnetic metal snap button, the interior with two compartments, unmarked, measuring 164 mm (w) x 115 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.

7. A holster for a 7.62 mm pistol, constructed of multiple pieces of dark brown leather secured together with heavy stitching. It features a flap bearing a protruding non-ferrous metal stud meeting a strap emanating from the outer side, in turn featuring a reinforced buttonhole for secure closure. A separate compartment is also stitched onto the outer side for storage of an additional clip. The reverse features an integrated loop for attachment to a belt. With the exception of an embossed DRGM logo, the holster is unmarked and measures 135 mm (w) x 190 mm (h). Material fatigue consistent with age and field-use is evident, but the holster is in an overall very fine condition.

8. A large collection of photographs from the Imperial and Third Reich eras, all printed on authentic wartime paper, including studio portraits of Schulz in uniform and wearing decorations, with other images captured in the field, as well as family photographs, in overall extremely fine condition.