(Waffen-SS Abzeichen und Medaillen). A rare and unique award pillow from the estate of decorated SS-Hauptscharführer Karl Paar, a veteran of SS-Standarte “Der Führer” and SS-Regiment “Radolfzell”. It consists of 27 medals, badges, stick pins, and cuff titles pinned or sewn onto an intricately-designed pillow, with the display side consisting of a green velvet base, and the reverse bearing a finely-embroidered Eastern-style motif, trimmed with a detailed gold bullion wire fringe. It is supplemented by a selection of documents and photographs. The extensive lot of decorations and insignia consists of the following:
1. A German Cross in Gold, constructed of tombak with enamels, consisting of a double-overlaid sunburst pattern with eight points, the centre bearing a raised and black enameled mobile swastika on an aluminum disc, within a stamped and gilded circular laurel leaf wreath, interwoven with ribbon and joined together at the bottom by a date of “1941”, the inner and outer edges of the wreath trimmed with red enameled rings, the reverse with six visible rivets securing the obverse features in place, with a barrel hinge and tapering vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, the pinback maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “21” for Godet, Berlin, measuring 63.27 mm (w) 63.47 mm (h), weighing 69.6 grans, multiple chips are evident to the swastika’s enamel and there is loss of finish throughout, a heavy-version Godet German Cross in overall very fine condition.
2. A SS 8-Year Long Service Medal, constructed of bronze, on a teardrop loop for suspension, the obverse bearing a raised swastika overlaid by wreathed double Sig runes, the reverse bearing a raised number “8”, overlaid by an inscription of “FÜR TREUE DIENSTE IN DER SS” (“FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE SERVICE IN THE SS”), unmarked, measuring 37.97 mm in diameter, in near extremely fine condition.
3. A Close Combat Clasp, Bronze Grade, constructed of bronzed zink, the obverse consisting of a central square oak leaf wreath, topped by a Wehrmacht eagle clutching a mobile swastika, overlaid by a crossed bayonet and stick grenade, retaining a magnetic metal backplate, flanked on each side by four oak leaves with acorns and four radiant sun rays, the reverse with an integrated barrel hinge and horizontal pinback meeting a round wire catch, maker marked with the logo of A.G. Metall und Kunststoff, Gablonz, measuring 98.27 mm (w) x 27.11 mm (h), with some oxidation and loss of finish evident, in overall very fine condition.
4. Two 1957 version Close Combat Clasps, including one Silver Grade and one Gold Grade, both constructed of a bronze alloy with respective finishes, each consisting of a central square oak leaf wreath, overlaid by a crossed bayonet and stick grenade, flanked on each side by four oak leaves with acorns and four radiant sun rays, the reverse of each with a barrel hinge and horizontal pinback meeting a flat wire catch, both unmarked and measuring 96.87 mm (w) x 25.40 mm (h), in overall extremely fine condition.
5. A 1939 Iron Cross I Class, constructed of brass and silver, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened brass core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central mobile swastika, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1939”, unmarked, measuring 44.38 mm (w) x 44.40 mm (h), with oxidation evident, in overall very fine condition.
6. A 1939 Iron Cross II Class, lug variant, 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 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”, unmarked, measuring 45.11 mm (w) x 49.49 mm (h), with some oxidation evident, in very fine condition.
7. An Infantry Assault Badge, Silver Grade, constructed of silvered zink, 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 the carrying sling hanging from the rifle, the reverse with an integrated hinge and vertical pinback meeting a flattened catch, maker marked with LDO code “L/61” for Friedrich Linden, Lüdenscheid, measuring 47.43 mm (w) x 63.52 mm (h), with loss of finish throughout, in overall better than very fine condition.
8. 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 a raised 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 35.58 mm (w) x 43.89 mm (h), with loss of finish throughout, in overall very fine condition.
9. A War Merit Cross, II Class with Swords, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse with a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a central wreathed date of “1939”, unmarked, measuring 48.22 mm (w) x 49.20 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
10. A Black Grade Wound Badge, constructed of blackened bronze, the obverse consisting of an oval laurel leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, with a central Stahlhelm overlaid by a mobile swastika, on top of crossed swords on a pebbled field, the reverse with a raised barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, maker marked with LDO code “L/11” for Wilhelm Deumer, Lüdenscheid, measuring 36.55 mm (w) x 44.42 mm (h), with some loss of finish evident, in overall very fine condition.
11. A Silver Grade Wound Badge, constructed of silvered zink, the obverse consisting of an oval laurel leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, with a central Stahlhelm overlaid by a mobile swastika, on top of crossed swords on a pebbled field, the reverse with a raised barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a flattened catch, unmarked, measuring 36.16 mm (w) x 43.93 mm (h), with some loss of finish evident, in overall near extremely fine condition.
12. A Gold Grade Wound Badge, 1957 version, constructed of a gilded bronze alloy, the obverse consisting of a circular laurel leaf wreath, with a central Stahlhelm on a pebbled field, the reverse with a raised barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a flattened catch, unmarked, measuring 36.59 mm (w) x 44.30 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
13. A Wehrmacht Driver’s Proficiency Badge, Bronze Grade, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, the obverse consisting of a circular laurel leaf wreath, around a raised steering wheel, unmarked, measuring 41.45 mm (w) x 44.98 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
14. An Honour Badge of the Einsatzstaffel der Deutschen Mannschaft in Croatia, Silver Grade, constructed of a silvered bronze alloy, consisting of an oval oak leaf wreath topped by a German national eagle clutching a shield overlaid by a mobile swastika, above double Wolfsangel runes, the reverse with a vertical pinback, unmarked, measuring 32.59 mm (w) x 43.43 mm (h), with some loss of finish evident, in overall very fine condition.
15. An Association of War Disabled Merit Medal, constructed of silvered bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original tri-fold ribbon, unmarked, measuring 36.12 mm (w) x 48.70 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.
16. A lot of eight stick pins and badges, including Third Reich and Federal Republic-era examples, featuring a reproduction SS member’s stick pin, all constructed of bronze with gilt and silver finishing, with applicable enamels, in overall near extremely fine condition.
17. A 1957 version miniature medal chain, constructed of bronze with gilt and silver finishing, featuring an Eastern Front Medal, a Silver Grade Infantry Assault Badge, a Gold Grade Wound Badge, a Gold Grade Close Combat Clasp, the 1939 Iron Cross in both II and I Classes, and a German Cross in Gold, measuring 100 mm in length as presented, in extremely fine condition.
18. An SS-Standarte “Der Führer” cuff title, constructed of black woven rayon, trimmed along both the top and bottom edges with machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire tresses, the obverse bearing a machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire inscription of “DER FÜHRER” in Fraktur script, unmarked, measuring 165 mm in length as presented, with minor fatigue evident to the silver aluminum wire, in overall near extremely fine condition.
19. A 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division “Götz von Berlichingen” cuff title, constructed of black woven rayon, trimmed along both the top and bottom edges with machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire tresses, the obverse bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey inscription of “GÖTZ V. BERLICHINGEN”, the reverse with a fully intact Reichszeugmeisterei (RZM) label bearing a maker’s code of “A4/440” and a secondary code of “439652”, measuring 170 mm in length as presented, with minor material fatigue evident, in overall near extremely fine condition.
20. An attestation affirming that Paar participated in 32 close combat engagements on both the Eastern and Western Fronts between 14 February 1943 and 26 December 1944, presented on two off-white paper pages with black ink, each measuring 205 mm (w) x 152 mm (h), with creasing, tearing, and soiling evident, in overall very fine condition.
21. A postwar occupation household ration card, constructed of brown card stock, named to Karl Paar, with a single stamped dated February 1946, measuring 338 mm (w) x 185 mm (h) when unfolded, in near extremely fine condition.
22. A lot of six photos, including a small photo affixed to the pillow, depicting Paar in a Waffen-SS Mann uniform with a Stahlhelm, measuring 48 mm (w) x 42 mm (h), with some creasing evident, in overall very fine condition; a large studio portrait depicting Paar in a SS-Verfügungstruppe uniform, undated, printed on Agfa-Brovira paper, measuring 128 mm (w) x 178 m (h), in extremely fine condition; a small studio portrait depicting Paar in a SS-Verfügungstruppe uniform, the reverse bearing a handwritten signature and studio mark, measuring 37 mm (w) x 47 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; a field photograph depicting Paar in a Waffen-SS Mann uniform with a Stahlhelm, printed on Agfa-Brovira paper, the reverse with a studio mark, measuring 95 mm (w) x 65 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; a wedding portrait, depicting Paar in the uniform of a Hauptscharführer and with the Iron Cross I Class, Infantry Assault Badge, and a Silver or Gold Grade Wound Badge clearly visible, in addition to the Iron Cross II Class ribbon and the “Der Führer” cuff title, the reverse with an unused postcard format, measuring 88 mm (w) x 135 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; supplemented by a photograph depicting an individual identified by a reverse description as “Kamerade Baumgartner” holding the pillow, the reverse with a handwritten date of 20 July 1984, measuring 102 mm (w) x 150 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.