Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very rare example of an 800 silver butter service knife, reportedly associated with the Berghof “House Service” silver pattern. A Spoon displaying the same decorative border, same style Reichsadler, and Bruckmann manufacture is documented in the excellent reference work The Encyclopedia of Third Reich Tableware: Monograms, Logos, Maker Marks, History by James A. Yannes. On pages 486 and 487, the author illustrates and discusses a matching cream server spoon under the heading “Berghof ‘House’ Service.”

The reference describes the illustrated utensil as follows:

“Cream Server (whipped cream) Spoon: Obverse with Parteiadler, reverse RM, 800, Bruckmann.”

The documented spoon was accompanied by a certification from the 42nd Infantry Division Veteran Spencer Cunningham, which reads in part:

“On or about May 8, 1945, while I was on duty with the 402nd Field Artillery Battalion of the 42d Infantry Division, I was at Berchtesgaden. Since we were aware of the fact that Adolph H*tler had a ‘retreat’ at Berchtesgaden, we went to his ‘house’ to look for souvenirs. The house had been almost demolished by bombing. We dug in this area and found approximately 375 pieces of sterling silver with the N*zi Eagle and Swstika on them.”

Yannes further discusses the Obersalzberg complex, which included the Führer’s Berghof, the Teehaus am Mooslahnerkopf, Martin Bormann’s Gutshof, Albert Speer’s residence and studio, the Kehlsteinhaus, SS housing, guard facilities, the Buchenhöhe apartment complex, Hermann Göring’s residence, the SS barracks, the Hochlenzer Gasthof, and Villa Bechstein. The book suggests that silverware of this pattern may have formed part of a general “house” service used at the Berghof by the Führer, staff members, and possibly Eva Braun.

Other historians, however, have attributed this pattern to silverware used during the early years of NSDAP rule at the Reich Chancellery, or Reichskanzlei. Later Reich Chancellery pieces commonly display a roll stamped closed wing Reichsadler surrounded by the initials “R K.” During the early period, existing silverware was sometimes engraved or stamped with several differing eagle designs. Political symbolism was of great importance to the NSDAP, and the application of party and state emblems to official tableware visually reinforced the new regime’s authority.

A third possible attribution has been suggested by a highly knowledgeable expert who believes that this silver service may have belonged to one of Martin Bormann’s residences. This possibility is particularly interesting because Bormann maintained a substantial residence at the Obersalzberg, commonly known as Haus Bormann. The house was created from the former country residence of Dr. Richard Seitz, then enlarged and furnished for Bormann and his large family. Architectural plans for Haus Bormann survive from the 1941 to 1943 period, and historical sources confirm that Bormann maintained his principal residence at the Obersalzberg while overseeing the development and administration of the restricted complex.

Haus Bormann is therefore the most plausible Bormann residence from which tableware of this type might have originated. Its proximity to the Berghof and Bormann’s central administrative role at the Obersalzberg could also help explain why silver associated with his household might resemble a broader official or “house service” pattern. Period tableware bearing a Reichsadler has previously been reported as having been recovered from Bormann’s Obersalzberg residence.

The handle bears the correct German silver hallmarks, consisting of the Crescent and Crown, or Halbmond und Reichskrone, beside the fineness mark “800,” indicating a silver content of 80 percent. To the right is the eagle trademark of the renowned Bruckmann & Söhne firm of Heilbronn. This highly regarded Silberwarenfabrik operated from 1805 until 1973 and produced numerous high quality official and private silver services. Bruckmann is well documented as a manufacturer of Reich Chancellery silverware as well as pieces associated with the Führer’s personal AH service.

The knife measures approximately 7 1/2 inches in overall length. The flared end of the handle bears an early style Reichsadler that appears to have been roll stamped. Its border pattern and overall styling match those encountered on later Reich Chancellery silverware. The knife remains in very good condition, showing only minor wear and light surface swirling consistent with age and use.

Original Third Reich silver tableware with a documented parallel in a respected reference is increasingly difficult to obtain. This is the first example of this particular form that we have offered and would make a significant addition to an advanced collection of Third Reich presentation silver.