Welcome to the WMF!

Welcome aboard Rob.    

Aussierob,   Welcome to the forum,   I will echo what Marshallj has stated about the quality of the items, and I have to ask this question. Do you have any documented evidence of these being used or made during the period? What references are you referring to regarding tableware and utensils of the Third Reich? Are you basing your comments on the fact that an old time Collector is selling off their stuff and you are believing that what he is selling is pre-May 1945 authentic?   You said in your welcome post that you just started collecting 3 months ago... In that time frame what reference material have you found that supports what you are buying? Do you have any of the period original Wellner Catalogs on Third Reich Silver products or Bruckman, Gebruder Hepp, WMF, Art Krupp Berndhof?    What makers mark is stamped on the forks? Which maker is on the goblet/chalice?  Knowing this information will either confirm or deny that those firms actually did produce such items. The vary large majority of Third Reich tableware did not have shields or other items attached or added to the utensils, it was either engraved or stamped, and again photographic evidence from the period pre-May 1945 would be incredibly helpful.    You have to ask yourself, would an organization such as the SS actually take pride and acceptance of something so poorly engraved to use at a function where Hitler, Himmler or some other high-ranking officials be present? I think not and to believe that they would produce such poor-quality items is beyond imaginable.    No one likes to hear that the items they purchase are fake/fantasy/reproduction etc. but the sad reality is that many will not listen to advice from collectors who have been collecting for many years and can tell that an item is not period authentic. Documented evidence of such items and provenance go hand in hand when collecting items of such controversy.    There are numerous books on TR silverware that you may want to consider looking into.    Look for the author James A. Yannes. He has written four volumes on 3rd Reich Cutlery and Tableware. One of the books he wrote discusses Monograms, Logos, Maker's Marks, etc.   Just trying to save yourself some money and heartache down the road as you discover items sold to you are not always what they appear to be. Buy the item, not the story is sage advice especially when collecting items from the Third Reich.    I was lucky that I started to collect Third Reich items over 50 years ago from WW2 Veterans that I grew up around in the 60s and they had closets full of things they would give to the neighborhood kids: helmets, daggers, insignia, uniforms, flags, armbands etc. We had very little doubts that the items were not authentic. It is not like today where unfortunately a lot of the items have to be scrutinized and looked at with a suspicious and cautious eye. So don't take offense if members here are trying to help you and tell you that the items are not authentic or have serious questions on their authenticity. You don't want to be stuck with a bunch of fake items so you? My advice is to do research, ask lots of questions and be prepared to accept that an item may not be original, no matter how hard you wish it to be...   I wish you luck in your collecting endeavors    Best regards Leigh               

Its been a couple of months, I Wanted to thank you for the information & time dedicated to educating me.

Can you ID me please...

That's cool.. they are real,come from a good Maker and they are SS and im more than happy with that. To me sometimes the imperfections can make the item perfect..

Not a fan. Especially of the goblets. Very amateurish.

Here are my SS FORKS and SS Silver goblets I recently purchased from a well known Collector here in Australia who is retiring , so im trying to get as much of the hundreds of items he has before they go.. my collection is more the SS personal stuff , Goblets, Silver and Pewter Trays and stuff and some of the stuff from Wewelsburg Ss Castle. Will update as I get them.  It ain't cheap.  Some more pics Couple more. The SS Stickpin as well. Also have the usual IRON CROSS and MERIT BADGE and various SS buckles but like the personal elaborate stuff more.. Hallmarks on the FORKS

hi people... the names Rob, 56 from Perth Western Australia. just joined up.... only just started collecting as of 3 mths ago.... hope to learn and share with you all....   got a few items purchased recently from italy, a retiring australian collector in Queensland and U.S.A...    looking at a few SS items from Wewelsburg  Castle he has for sale, hope to add them soon... will throw up a couple pics i have of the SS Silver Goblets ive just purchased and other items in the correct section.. have a great day.

Sarge,   You have some very impressive items. I am very fond of the Technical Services and Fire and Police items of the TR. I have a TENO uniform as well as other items that when I get time to photograph I will post them.   Best    Leigh 

Thanks for the kudos Gear Fanatic.  And, a nice Municipal Meister tunic from Leigh.  I particularly like Meister uniforms as well Leigh.   Here is a Rural Police (Gendarmerie) named tunic to a Captain of the Motorized Gendarmerie.  His tunic is topped with a Gendarmerie cape with orange piping around the early light brown collar.  Trying to keep the cape vibe if you know what I mean.     

Here is a German Third Reich Schutzpolizei (Municipal Police Tunic).  Rank on Shoulder is for Meister. Meister was the highest enlisted rank of the Ordnungspolizei. Ribbon bar (left to right) consists of Iron Cross 1914 Second Class ribbon, Hindenburg Cross Second Class ribbon with Swords. City sleeve eagle is for W. Gladbach-Rheydt area. Rheydt is a borough of the German city Mönchengladbach, located in the west of North Rhine-Westphalia. Loops on the pocket may have been for a WW1 wound badge or Sports Badge..   Leigh