Germany, Luftwaffe. An Honour Goblet to Fighter Ace Heinrich-Wilhelm Ahnert, by Johann Wagner & Sohn

(Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe). A desirable and exceptionally well-presented Luftwaffe Honour Goblet awarded to Oberfeldwebel Heinrich-Wilhelm Ahnert, a fighter ace with 57 confirmed victories. Constructed of silver, it features a crimped rim with a smooth edge, with subtly textured sides complementing a moderate patina for a striking finish. One side of the exterior features a raised and finely-detailed depiction of two grappling eagles. The opposite side features a raised and detailed 1939 Iron Cross in high relief. A narrow stem is fully decorated along the circumference with raised oak leaves interspersed with acorns. Underneath the leaves, the stem bears an engraved dedication of “OBERFELDWEBEL HEINRICH AHNERT, AM 23. 2. 42”. It completes with a flared base bearing a raised inscription of “FÜR BESONDERE LEISTUNG IM LUFTKRIEG” (“FOR EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE IN THE AIR WAR”). Engraved onto the bottom of is a maker’s mark of “JOH. WAGNER & SOHN” for the Berlin-based silversmith, a crown and crescent moon indicating German manufacture, and a silver content number of “835”. It measures 100 mm (w) x 208 mm (h) and weighs 439 grams. With no evident faults, this superb example of a Luftwaffe Honour Goblet to a storied fighter ace is in an extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Born in Ziegelheim (near Altenburg, Thuringia) on 29 April 1915, Heinrich-Wilhelm Ahnert initially served as an intelligence and reconnaissance pilot with the Luftwaffe, where he saw service during both the Polish and French campaigns. He transferred to the Jagdwaffe in the late winter of 1941 and was assigned to JG 52. Stationed in the Netherlands, he achieved four aerial victories on the Western Front, downing a Hawker Hurricane (15 February 1941), two Bristol Blenheims (9 June and 26 August 1941), and a Spitfire (12 September 1941). He was transferred to the Eastern Front in October 1941, where he would go on to claim another 53 victories (his 50th coming on 9 July 1942). On 23 August 1942, Ahnert engaged a formation of Soviet Petlyakov Pe-2s bombers over Koptevo, Russia. His Bf-109 was hit with return fire from the bombers, and Ahnert was killed in the ensuing crash. He posthumously received the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, bestowed on the day he perished.