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LOT 1549
Impressive Set of World War II Fallschirmjaeger Regiment Cuff Titles, as Seen in “German Military Cuffbands 1784-Present” by Williamson and McGuirl - A rarely seen
artifact from one of the most elite units in the Wehrmacht, this grouping includes five cuff titles from the First and Second Fallschirmjaeger Regiments. One of the most famous airborne
outfits of the war, the Fallschirmjaegers developed a reputation as highly skilled and effective light infantry, and while not committed to large-scale parachute drops after the Battle of
Crete they still distinguished themselves in Africa and Europe. Issue of cuffs to parachute units was very limited, and on paper ended in 1939. In practice, photographs do indicate that some
did continue to wear their cuffs after that date, likely veteran men looking to showcase their “old fighter” status. For Regiment 3 in particular, the cuffs were never formally issued, and were
entirely private purchased. All five included cuffs are white or silver embroidery on a green background, most being a deep “hunter green” associated with jaeger/light infantry units. Two of the cuffs
are marked “Fallschirm-Jager Rgt. 2”, with white lettering and untrimmed edges, the other in silver bullion with silver piped edges, the latter of the style associated with paratrooper officers. Three
titles are for “Fallschirm-Jager Rgt.3”, two with clear borders one in white thread, the other in silver), and a silver bullion lettered cuff with silver piped edges. Notes provided by the consignor attribute all three as formerly of the collection of George Petersen, used as photo references in the book “German Military Cuffbands 1784-Present” by Gordon Williamson and Thomas McGuirl (pages 151 and 152). CONDITION: Very good overall, showing mild wear and a small amount of staining. The un-piped, silver bullion Regiment 3 title shows a few small holes. Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK GERMAN MILITARY CUFFBANDS
(1784-PRESENT) BY WILLIAMSON & MCGUIRL
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK GERMAN MILITARY CUFFBANDS (1784-PRESENT) BY WILLIAMSON & MCGUIRL
414
Impressive Published Set of Five Luftwaffe Cuff Titles, as Seen in “German Military Cuffbands 1784-Present” by Williamson and McGuirl - Part of a relatively limited number made, in 1935 the Luftwaffe issued a set of orders authorizing the use of cuff titles commemorating service by veterans of World War One who were still on (or had returned to) active duty. In addition, a number of Luftwaffe squadrons (geschwader) received honor titles in the style of WWI regiments, being named for prominent figures in the Wehrmacht and the Nazi Party. All titles in this lot use either white thread or silver wire embroidery on a dark blue background, sans edge piping. In the former category is the included cuff title for “Geschwader Immelmann” with white embroidery, and in the latter category are two “Geschwader General Wever” cuffs (one white, one silver), “Jagdgeswader Udet” (white) and “Geschwader Horst Wessel” (white). Each cuff comes with an individual attribution note; the Horst Wessel, Udet, and Wever (white thread) titles are attributed to noted collector George Petersen, whose cuff titles are featured in the book “German Military Cuffbands” by Williamson and McGuirl. CONDITION: Very good overall. The Udet and Immelmann titles show staining, with mild wear overall. Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection. Estimate: 2,000 - 4,000
LOT 1550