Description
Product Description: A very nice and rare Hermann Aurich Heer Standard Bearers Gorget in overall excellent condition. The body of this Heer Standard Bearers Gorget by Hermann Aurich is produced of silver electroplated stamped nickel silver. The body has a nice uncleaned, and attractive, even patina throughout. The 3D central motif features a Reichsadler perched on top of oakleaves and clutching a mobile swastika. The eagle is flanked by two Heer Standards. The central motif is also made of nickel silver, but instead of receiving a silver plating it received a dark bluing finish, which contrasts very nicely with the silvered body. The two flanking oakleaf adorned rosettes are also made of a darked nickle silver, like the central motif. Both rosettes and the cental emblem retain most of their original darkening with a mild patina from age. The reverse of this Heer Standard Bearers Gorget is covered with a feldgrau wool which remains nearly 100% intact. The chain ramps are intact and without repairs. The large central uniform clip is stamped with the maker’s logo and name, Hermann Aurich, Dresden. The chain is produced of a darkend nickel silver as well. The chain consists of 20 oval, and 1 circular, medallions connected together by round rings. The circular central medallion features oakleaves, which are purposely facing perpedicluar to the other medallions to assist the wearer in knowing which side of the chain is the correct side to face outward. The Germans never missed a detail! Overall, a tough to find and very desirable Heer Standard Bearers Gorget by Hermann Aurich.
Historical Description: Gorgets were originally part of a knight’s armor during medieval times. Long after suits of armor were abandoned, the gorget continued to be used in many European armies as a form of military insignia. In the Imperial German Army until 1914, gorgets were worn as a special mark of distinction by certain elite units. Following WWI, German paramilitary and police organizations used gorgets for standard bearers, as insignia, and to denote personnel assigned special tasks. Following the Nazi rise to power, there was a vast increase in the number of uniformed organizations, and a variety of new gorgets were instituted for use by these civil, political and paramilitary organizations, as well as by the military. Standard bearers of most organizations, who were entrusted with carrying flags at rallies and in parades, wore gorgets. Other gorgets indicated assignment to guard or security forces. The military police personnel of the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS had their own gorgets as a part of their uniforms and were nicknamed “chained dogs” by the troops, due to the chain used to suspend the gorget around the wearer’s neck. Because gorgets were never general issue to all personnel of any organization or military branch, they were manufactured in limited numbers, and are generally scarce to encounter today.
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