{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-deutsche-reichsbahn-27-aluminum-railroad-eagle-marked-ga-h-with-four-mounting-posts","title":"Original German WWII Deutsche Reichsbahn 27\" Aluminum Railroad Eagle Marked GA\/H with Four Mounting Posts","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII Deutsche Reichsbahn aluminum railroad eagle measuring approximately 27\" wide by 13 3\/4\" high. It retains all four threaded mounting posts on the reverse and is marked GA\/H within a circle, together with a GAL-Mg-Si alloy designation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLarge cast aluminum eagles of this type were mounted to Deutsche Reichsbahn rolling stock and railway equipment during the Third Reich period. The approximately 27\" wingspan places this example within the larger locomotive and railcar display category.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe eagle measures approximately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e27\" wide, or 685mm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e13 3\/4\" high, or 350mm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse retains all four original threaded attachment posts. The posts show expected wear from installation and removal but remain intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe outer wing posts are wrapped with several layers of old masking tape and have wire attached for suspension. The wire also passes around the rear attachment post located behind the eagle’s breast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse of the right wing is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGA \/ H\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewithin a circle. This mold or foundry marking has been observed on other period railroad eagles, though the precise manufacturer represented by the code has not been confirmed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse of the left wing is additionally marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGAL-Mg-Si\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe “G” is understood as an abbreviation for \u003cem\u003eGalvanisiert\u003c\/em\u003e, or galvanized, while Al, Mg, and Si identify aluminum, magnesium, and silicon. Collector and specialist references commonly describe this marking as indicating galvanized aluminum alloyed with magnesium and silicon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo LOK or RZA size designation is present. The absence of these markings is consistent with other examples carrying this style of foundry mark, though it does not by itself establish a specific locomotive or rolling stock application.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAreas on the reverse appear to have been ground or dressed after casting. This has removed portions of the surface finish and exposed the underlying aluminum alloy. The work does not appear recent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSand casting commonly left surface irregularities, excess material, and mold imperfections that could require cleanup or finishing after removal from the mold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall condition is excellent for a large cast aluminum railway emblem. The front retains strong definition and an impressive display presence, while the reverse preserves all four mounting posts, foundry markings, alloy designation, and evidence of period or older installation wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its substantial 27\" wingspan, complete four-post mounting arrangement, GA\/H foundry mark, GAL-Mg-Si alloy designation, and strong cast detail, this is an especially impressive example of German WWII railway insignia. The taped posts, suspension wire, reverse grinding, finish abrasion, and unidentified maker code are fully disclosed. It would display particularly well in a Deutsche Reichsbahn, German railroad, locomotive equipment, industrial insignia, transportation history, or advanced WWII collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3rd Reich Railroad Eagle General Information:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVery much as in the same way that practically all 3rd Reich badges, cloth, uniforms, medals, daggers and etc, have been reproduced post war, we see a variety of copies of the railroad eagle that have hit the collectors market going back several years now. While many of the reproductions have been manufactured and marketed solely as \"collector copies\" in the past, today we are now seeing a more concerted effort in manufacturing practices of these eagles to actually defraud the collecting community. As the prices of legitimate WWII produced railroad eagles have climbed in today's market to the value of several hundred dollars, the prices of even the post war reproductions so too have risen considerably. A check of Rex Reddick Enterprises which sells a plethora of every imaginable post war 3rd Reich item listed in their on-line website, shows this firm offering newly made railroad eagles for $90.00 each. A check of Ron Manion's military auction catalogs of the mid 80's, show original railroad eagles consistently selling at the $100-$200 price range. It's quite remarkable that the reproduction that we see being offered today, are selling for what the originals did nearly 30 years ago!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt would be nice to be able to take the measurements of a 3rd Reich railroad eagle and state, that if the one that a collector was examining for originality did not conform to the dimensions of an original example, than it was definitely a post war reproduction. Well, there is a little more to it than that, but you will see that with a little experience in recognizing the feature known to be present on an authentic eagle, it becomes easier to spot a reproduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is commonly accepted by the collecting community that the railroad eagles were manufactured in lengths of 24, 27, 28 and 35 inches. (600, 680, 720, and 900 mm). In light of the fact that one manufacturing firm's 24\" variety eagle may measure a ¼ or ½ inch longer that one produced by another company, we know that the LOK 600 stamped eagles actually measure out to be a 23 ½ inch wing span running from tip to tip. Consequently as collectors, we cannot rely solely on dimension of a railroad eagle as being a true guide to authenticity. No doubt the slight variation in these measurements from one molding company to the next, was due to the hand finishing and de-burring process involved finishing the final product.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe obverse:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen inspecting a railroad eagle for authenticity, a collector will normally examine the obverse striking pose of the eagle perched proudly on a ring of oak leaves, superimposed swas, and outstretched wings. With a period manufactured eagle, we see a nice 3 dimensional bird cast in a relatively smooth natural aluminum finish. The fact that these eagles were the result of being produced from a mold, a collector may observe slight flaws in the metal surface in different areas of the plaque. Minor pock marks and residual metal that may have become trapped in the mold, could exhibit additional imperfections. Occasionally this has caused collectors to become overly concerned that the prized railroad eagle in their collection, is a reproduction. Be rest assured that not all of these eagles were cast with exact precision of flawlessness. If an eagle were to exhibit such gross flaws such as large scale porosity, missing or incomplete feather features, or a gritty rough surface throughout, this would raise a red flag of concern. For the majority of railroad eagles produced during the 3rd Reich, these hand polished eagles will exhibit a smooth obverse, and void of rough edges when you run your hand around all of the surfaces of the plaque. Bear in mind that if a railroad eagle was exposed to weather elements, or submerged in soil or water, this very well could affect metal and the appearance of how it now looks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough all 3rd Reich railroad eagles were cast with integral cone\/stud fastening structures that was part of the mold, at times collectors will come across an eagle that has had holes drilled through the plaque. Because the only period photos that the collecting community has showing these railroad eagles displayed during the 3rd Reich are usually small and faint, verification of this method of attaching an eagle plaque cannot be positively confirmed. The drilled holes occasionally found on railroad eagles may certainly be the handy work of a veteran, and done in order to display his war trophy. But eagles found with precise, machined, and countersunk holes, may lend credence to the possibility that perhaps at least some were indeed fastened using a system other than the normal stud method.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother anomaly that is occasionally observed with these railroad eagles, are examples that display painted swass, wreaths, and even the entire eagles themselves. Once again because the lack of clear and concise period photographs of eagles being displayed during the period, it is impossible to determine with certainty whether this type of enhancement occurred during the 3rd Reich period, or sometime later post war. Collectors have found eagles from veteran sources that have old paint to these areas, but just how old this or when it took place, is mostly speculation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs with most collectibles, the natural undisturbed patina that has accumulated over time on an item is something that is difficult to replicate on any reproduction. Very often we see eagles that are covered in soot from coal dust and almost completely black. No doubt this is likely sign that the plaque was affixed to a Reichsbahn locomotive or coach car that moved men and supplies in and out of Germany during WWII. While some eagles offered in the collecting community today have been cleaned or even polished, they were probably never manufactured with a high luster shine. The more rough and sometimes porous surface suggests that these plaques were most likely finished to a degree that left them with a dull natural matte aluminum appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, one of the most important traits to the identification of a 3rd Reich railroad eagle, is to look for the evidence of hand filing or grinding that is usually found around the perimeter edges of these plaques. This was performed to d-bur and smooth the outline of the eagle, after it was removed from the manufacturing mold. The area that is most noticeable of this hand filing is the upper wing ridge which runs tip to tip, across the top of the entire wingspan. At times, even the top of the eagle’s head area will show course grinding marks also. This hand filing and grinding can actually can give the metal a squared off shape, as opposed to being round. Look for evidence of hand finishing, it can be an important tool in identification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMakers Mark:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith few exceptions, nearly every 3rd Reich era railroad eagle will exhibit some type of maker marks and or numbers\/symbols that are usually recessed in the reverse side of the plaque. These maker marks are actually part of the mold, and not something that is stamped later, after completion of the final product. Since many of the firms responsible for the manufacturing of these eagles have never been identified, the collecting community usually refers to them by the initials seen on the reverse. In other words; J\u0026amp;Z, PS, LOK, HE, Wehog, etc. By no means does the presence of any maker marks, actually make a railroad eagle legit. Because we know that post war reproduction eagles, will also exhibit these same manufacturing symbols. Most reproductions that are found in the collecting community have been cast using an actual 3rd Reich eagle, as a pattern. Even with some period railroad eagles, a collector will at times find it difficult to clearly identify the makers initials. Some of these symbols are very obscure, and use a small font. Consequently maker marks alone, are truly not a definitive method for authenticity nor identification.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45472136396869,"sku":"ONSV26CC228","price":4495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/C647A02F-5CE7-48CA-AA2A-92BC37846215.jpg?v=1785964178","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-deutsche-reichsbahn-27-aluminum-railroad-eagle-marked-ga-h-with-four-mounting-posts","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}