Item:
ONSV6805

Original German WWII USGI Bring Back Set of Two Partial Funeral Sashes with Fringes & Markings

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Set Available. This is a very nice set of two partial German WWII Funeral Sashes, made of the usual rayon partial synthetic fiber. These were displayed during funerals for members of the various NSDAP-related organizations, as well as soldiers.  During the funeral they would often be draped over a wreath, and after burial were placed on top the plants and flowers placed over the grave. Typically they measured around 2 meters in length, and were double ended, with various organizations marked on the fabric. If it was a sash for a particular subordinate organization like the DAF, that emblem would appear on one end. Both ends would have a bullion fringe.

The two that we have here are both cut off examples, as they were usually secured, so to get them home they needed to be cut off. This is how they are usually seen, and complete examples are relatively rare. Both have the correct fringe, one is marked with a black Swas (Swas) on a white field.

The first sash measures approximately 48 inches, not counting the fringe. It has a printed on Swas, and shows age and light related fading to the fabric. The printed writing on the sash is unfortunately almost completely worn away. Reading in the light however can still show the writing:

der Joh. Wolfgang Goethe
Universität
Frankfurt a/Main

This sash was used for the funeral of someone related the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, located in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.  Original known as Universität Frankfurt am Main, in 1932, the university's name was extended in honor of one of the most famous native sons of Frankfurt, the poet, philosopher and writer/dramatist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The University of Frankfurt has at times been considered liberal, or left-leaning, and has had a reputation for Jewish and Marxist (or even Jewish-Marxist) scholarship. During the NSDAP period, "almost one third of its academics and many of its students were dismissed for racial and/or political reasons—more than at any other German university".

The second sash measures approximately 55 inches, not counting the fringe. It looks to be made of rayon, and has slight wearnd fading to the fabric. The printed writing on the sash has has not worn away, and is fully clear:

Reichsbankdirektorium

This translates to "Reichsbank Directorate", so the deceased worked in the administration of the Reichsbank (Bank of the Realm). Founded during the German Empire period in 1876, this was the central bank of the German Reich up until 1945. The bank was heavily involved in the processing of stolen items during the Shoah, and their last director Walther Funk was tried at Nuremberg after the war. Documentary evidence and his wartime biography Walther Funk, A Life for the Economy were used against him during the trial, leading to his conviction on counts 2, 3 and 4 of the indictment and his sentence of life imprisonment.

Two very nice pieces of German WWII memorabilia, ready to display!

  • This product is available for international shipping. Shipping not available to: Australia, France, or Germany
  • Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon

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