Bruckmann ("Formal Pattern") Silver Flatware
The Bruckmann pattern presentation silver, with cast, rolled, or appliqued monograms has been documented as being in many of Hitler's residences and offices. This pattern appears to have been used by the firms of Bruckmann and FHW exclusively. The monogram features a National Eagle, with the wings folded and displayed. In the talons of the eagle, there is a wreath with a swastika. On each side of the wreath are the initials AH. There appear to be many thousands of pieces made using this pattern. This particular pattern of silver surfaced from all over Germany at the end of the war. It was apparently used wherever Hitler maintained a regular residence or offices where he might be called upon to entertain guests of the State.
Some background regarding the Bruckmann (often referred to as "formal pattern") pieces. In early 1939, Adolf Hitler was riding a wave of popularity. Germany had regained the sense of pride and nationalism lost in the wake of their defeat in The Great War. The German economy and the German people had gained a robust growth that was the envy of Europe, and a skill and pride in craftsmanship that was world-renowned.
The firm of Bruckmann, located in Heilbronn, with distributors in all of the major cities, had a long history of providing the finest level of quality and workmanship of any of the other German silver manufacturers. Someone, somewhere, noted that Hitler's 50th birthday was perhaps a good time to create a presentation setting to not only rival a gift of Kings, but to surpass any gift ever presented to a world leader. The Bruckmann birthday present was beyond spectacular: the records are sketchy; but there were at least 3,000 discrete pieces involved. Apparently, there were six complete sets of 500 pieces (possibly five sets of 600) that were distributed among the places Hitler frequented the most: the Berghof (Hitler's Mountain home); der Adlerhorst (the Eagle's Nest); the Gasthaus (Guest House) at Obersalzberg; the Braune Haus (The Brown House); the Prinzregentenplatz apartment in Munchen; and, the Reichskanzlei in Berlin. The service pieces were made of brilliant .925 (92.5%) silver, and the matching tableware, needing to be harder and more durable, were made of 800 (80%) silver. FHW pieces have been documented in 925 and 835 silver content.
Below is some of the personal items I have in my Collection, A selection of silver items once belonging to several prominent members of the German High Command families and military units. Included are Adolf Hitler, Eva Braun, Hermann Goering, Heinrich Himmler.
Adolf Hitler's Formal Pattern - Adolf Hitler's Porcelain China - Adolf Hitler's Formal Pattern Napkin rings & Informal napkin
Below is a stark white porcelain china plate, made by the Allach craftsman at the Dachau porcelain works, with the characteristic green under glaze Allach SS marks on the back. It features a gold textured national eagle emblem with the initials AH on each side of the wreath. Also picture below is Informal Adolf Hitler's tan napkin luncheon size at 11" X 11 1/2". has Eagle/Swastika/AH brocade in one corner.
Adolf Hitler formal silverware by Bruckmann with his personal Eagle and A.H. Logo
Above is a cream coloured Adolf Hitler card is of lighter paper and reads: Adolf Hitler Deutscher Reichskanzler. Calling cards of the Third Reich (like all cards of that era) were simple to the extreme. Often just their name appeared, sometimes their title too. But then again, to mail a letter to Hitler, all you needed to do was to address it: "Adolf Hitler, Berlin" no address required and it got there.
Adolf Hitler's Superb Allach Tea/Coffee Pot
Below is a stark white porcelain china Tea/Coffee pot, made by the Allach craftsman at the Dachau porcelain works, with the characteristic green under glaze Allach SS marks on the back. It features a gold textured national eagle emblem with Adolf Hitler's initials AH on each side of the wreath
The reverse is marked 800, with the quarter moon, small crown and Imperial style eagle silver marks.
finely detailed eagle and block letter A and H initials on the handle face
3 pieces from Hitler's ("Informal Pattern") Silver Flatware
The "Informal" pattern contains the eagle and monogram only, and the stylized eagle design is depicted with little detail. This pattern, however, is much rarer than the "Formal" pattern. It is not known why the "Informal" pattern was produced, but it is thought to have been possibly used as a "luncheon" pattern, and only at one of the larger residences - like the Reich Chancellery. approx 1000 pieces of the "Informal" were produced were approximately 3000 pieces of the "Formal" pattern.
The hallmarked in the identical manner to the "Formal" pattern, being a crescent, a crown, "800" and a Prussian eagle.
German Railroad Deutsche Reichsbahn Goblet
A unique rare piece, this little goblet has a long body that widens only slightly as it rises upward, till it finally turns outward at the top (to form a rim). The side of the goblet has a nice Reichsbahn national eagle, with the letters “D” and “R” (Deutsche Reichsbahn) flanking the wreathed swastika. A light patina to the goblet’s silver plate looks like burnishing around the base of the eagle’s high relief, and the letters. The flat base plate on the goblet bottom is marked “Alpaca”, with the usual “B” and Locomotive, and the stamped number “234”. The goblet stands about 5.75” high, and the distance from rim to rim across the mouth is just over 2.5”.
Deutsche Reichsbahn piece's are now very scarce
German Railroad Deutsche Reichsbahn Göring and Hitler Train Pattern
Deutsche Reichsbahn Berlin 1937, Train dining saloon car Berlin 10241" for the Dienstwagenzug the imperial government. The piece is marked with the last three numbers of the railroad car identification of the particular train. "241" (from car number 10241) maker marked with the letter B for Bruckmann along side a loco also stamped ALPAKA meaning heavy silver plate.
Deutsche Reichsbahn piece's are now very scarce
German Railroad Deutsche Reichsbahn Small Spoon & Knife
A small breakfast Deutsche Reichsbahn Knife with an Eagle holding a swastika and the letter DR to either side on the handle. The handle also has the number 241 and what appears to be a hallmark to it. On the blade, it has the maker's trademark of W and the wording Nicht Rostend.
A small breakfast Deutsche Reichsbahn Spoon with an Eagle holding a swastika and the letter DR to either side on the handle. The handle also has the number 242 and what appears to be a hallmark to it of a half moon, a crown, an 800 and an eagle.
Eva Braun
Silver Eva Braun EB Butterfly Monogram, cake fork, length 140-mm, 800 Silver, 4 leaf clover stamped.
Very nice Luftwaffe Tea/Coffee set + fish Knife & folk
This very nice German Iron Cross/Knight's cross cigarette case probably a private purchase or given as a gift, marked ALPACCA
Hermann Goring
Coat of Arms Pattern, large dinner knife, length 260-mm, blade marked Rostfrei. The reverse is marked 800.
Heinrich Himmler
Runic HH Pattern, cake fork, length 155-mm. This pattern was made by the prestigious BRUCKMANN firm for Himmler and is marked with the "B", and a locomotive engine as this was used on his trains, a content mark (usually 90 or 100), indicating heavy silver plate, from 90 to 100 percent purity, this piece is marked 90..
