Germany. A Desk Chest with Concealed Pistol Compartment, Gifted by Rudolf Hess to NSDAP Member 34

This is a beautifully made wooden chest in the French Provincial style, constructed of veneered caramel-coloured wood with a solid frame, but featuring a checker-pattern on the interior of each side. The chest stands on a small four-piece frame that consists of decorative French-style trim and four legs. The lid is thick, and heavy, supported by two functional metal hinges, and is decorated on the exterior by an ornate German national eagle, with open wings, clutching a wreathed mobile swastika. The interior of the lid features a plaque that is inscribed “Meinem treuen Kampfgefährten und Mitstreiter Josef Bauer zu seinem 60. Geburtstage am 26. Januar 1941 gwidmet - Rudolf” (German - To my faithful companion and comrade Josef on his 60th birthday on January 26, 1941). The lid is lockable from the outside, via a lock and key that is functional, revealing a shallow interior. Interestingly, this chest also features a concealed comparment on the left side, that, if taken out, reveales a padded and perfectly fitted bed for a Walther PPK pistol. Accompanying this chest is a set of mint and unissued SS collar tabs in the rank of Brigadeführer, constructed of black doeskin wool, with a set of two oak leaves on a stem and three nuts embroidered onto each board via twisted, rolled, and flat silver aluminum bullion embroidery. On the foot of each oak stem is a single embroidered rank pip, together signifying the rank of SS-Brigadeführer. The chest is also accompanied by an NSDAP ID card that is named to Bauer, Josef, Munich, with the membership number 34. His function is given as Main Office Leader of the Reich Leadership in the Main Office for Local Politics (Hauptstellenleiter der R.-L. (presumably Reichs-Leitung) im Hauptamt für Kommunalpolitik). In the photo, Bauer wears the Golden Party Badge. The card carries the signature in blue ink of the deputy of the Führer, Reich Minister Rudolf Heß. Bauer also signed it in blue ink. The card is dated to August 29, 1937. In overall extremely fine condition. Footnote: Josef Bauer was born on January 25, 1881 in Untergrasensee (Bavaria). Prior to the First War, he worked as a teacher. Bauer served between 1915 and 1918. He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class and the King Ludwig’s Cross. Bauer was one of the very early believers in national socialism and supporter of A.H. He took part in the Beer Hall Putsch in 1923 as a Sturmtruppführer. In 1925, Bauer joined the NSDAP, membership number 34. He also joined the SS at an unknown date. He became a local group leader in Munich. By 1930, he was a Reich speaker and head of the Gaurednerschule (Gau school for professional speakers). Bauer became a member of the Reichstag in 1933, a position he would hold until the end of the war. In 1937, he was the Stadtschulrat (city’s school councillor) in Munich, and in 1941, he became the Director of the Munich district office of the office of educators in the NS-Teachers' Association. That same year, Bauer was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer. He died on April 30, 1958 in Munich.