{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-excellent-feldgendarmerie-police-gorget-with-phosphorescent-paint-and-neck-chain","title":"Original German WWII Excellent Feldgendarmerie Police Gorget with Phosphorescent Paint and Neck Chain","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Items: Only One Available. Gorgets hold an interesting place in history, as they are a throw-back to the days of knights, when suits of armor included a neck protection device called a Gorget. They have been used since that time to identify membership or function in various military and police organizations, and Gorgets were thoroughly used during the Third Reich.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an excellent example of a Third Reich \u003cstrong\u003eFeldgendarmerie\u003c\/strong\u003e gorget, made of aluminized stamped steel with hooks on the back, and has the correct aluminized chain, which is also magnetic. There are no maker markings, common for later war production, and it is really one of the best we seen, showing only light wear and not bends, repairs, or other condition issues. The pressed paper backing covering the backs of the split pins is still in very good shape, showing just a bit of wear, and some stains from where the aluminized coating has worn off.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe phosphorescent paint still glows in the dark for hours after exposure to light (it's not radium paint, this piece measures a \"normal\" .16 reading on the Geiger counter). We have rarely seen a gorget with this much of the paint still retained, close to 100%! The eagle, the banner, and even the buttons in the corners show just the tiniest bit of loss, and really look great!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese were hung around the neck, and have two hooks on the back so it hangs in the center or to the side, depending on the situation. The chain shows light wear but is complete, and the hooks on the back are all intact as well, with no major bending or other damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDefinitely one of the best that we have ever seen, complete with the original neck chain! If you were looking for a truly top condition Feldgendarmerie gorget, this is it!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEarly incarnations of the Feldgendarmerie came into being on an ad-hoc basis through mobilizations of the Germany army as a whole, most notably in the wars of 1866 and 1870. At the outbreak of the First World War the Feldgendarmerie comprised 33 companies. They each had 60 men and two NCOs. By 1918, the number of companies had been expanded to115 units.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter World War I all military police units were disbanded and no police units existed in the post-war Weimar Republic. Garrison areas were patrolled by regular soldiers functioning as military police.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen Adolf AH came to power in 1933, Feldgendarmerie were reintroduced into the Wehrmacht. The new units received full infantry training and were given extensive police powers. A military police school was set up at Potsdam, near Berlin to train Feldgendarmerie personnel. Subjects included Criminal code, general and special police powers, reporting duties, passport and identification law, weapons drill, self-defence techniques, criminal police methodology, and general administration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll prospective candidates served at a Feldgendarmerie command after the first term of examinations. Courses lasted one year and failure rates were high: in 1935 only 89 soldiers graduated from an initial intake of 219 candidates. Feldgendarmerie were employed within army divisions and as self-contained units under the command of an army corps. They often worked in close cooperation with the Geheime Feldpolizei (English: Secret Field Police), district commanders and SS and Police Leaders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUntil 1943, the Feldgendarmerie units were generally given occupation duties in territories controlled by the Wehrmacht. Their missions, to police the areas behind the front lines, ranged from straightforward traffic control and population control to suppression and execution of partisans and the apprehension of enemy stragglers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen combat units moved out of a region, control was then transferred to the occupation authorities under the control of the NSDAP Party and SS. The Feldgendarmerie role would formally end as the fronts moved forward. But Feldgendarmerie units are known to have often assisted the SS in occupied areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the tide of war changed for NSDAP Germany, the Feldgendarmerie became more popularly known by the pejorative “Kettenhunde” (Chained Dogs) for the gorget they wore with their uniforms. Many ordinary soldiers deemed to be deserters were summarily executed by Feldgendarmerie units. The arbitrary and policing of soldiers gave them the other nickname “Heldenklauer” (Hero-Snatchers) because they screened refugees and hospital transports for potential deserters with orders to kill suspected malingerers. Rear-echelon personnel would also be checked for passes that permitted them to be away from the front.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Feldgendarmerie also administered the “Strafbattalion” (Penal Battalion) which were Wehrmacht punishment units created for soldiers convicted by court martial and sentenced to a deferred execution. During the final days of the war, as the Third Reich crumbled, recruits or soldiers who committed even the slightest infraction were sent to Strafbatallionen.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44689992974405,"sku":"ONSV26GCS090","price":1895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26GCS090.jpg?v=1772492865","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-excellent-feldgendarmerie-police-gorget-with-phosphorescent-paint-and-neck-chain","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}