1622A

WWII GERMAN GENERAL’S UNIFORM COAT, KNIGHT’S CROSS

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:6,000.00 USD Estimated At:12,000.00 - 17,000.00 USD
WWII GERMAN GENERAL’S UNIFORM COAT, KNIGHT’S CROSS

, PORTRAIT PAINTING, SOLDBUCH & OTHER PAPERWORK BELONGING TO GENERAL DER INFANTERIE FRANZ BEYER. An extraordinary WWII German grouping belonging to General der Infanterie Dr.jur. Franz Beyer. Beyer was born in 1892 & entered naval service in 1912. He served & advanced in the Navy until April of 1919 when he transferred to the Polizei. He advanced quickly through the ranks to Polizei-Oberst in July of 1934. In October of 1935, he transferred to service in the Wehrmacht. He advanced to Oberst in 1938, Generalmajor in 1942, Generalleutnant & finally General der Infanterie in 1944. He held numerous commands both at the divisional & corps levels. He was captured on May 8, 1945 by allied forces while commanding the LXXX Army Corps. His decorations include the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, the 1914 Iron Cross both 1st & 2nd Class, the Spange for both the 1st & 2nd Class Iron Crosses, the Infantry Assault badge, Wound badge & several other significant awards. This exceptional offering includes the following.
1) GENERAL BEYER’S UNIFORM TUNIC. Tunic is a very fine, dark sage green wool gabardine with 6 gilded brass pebble finished buttons down the front & 1 on each pocket. There are 5 loops above the left breast pocket to support a medal bar & there are 4 sets of loops on or below the left pocket itself. Above the right pocket, is a high grade gold bullion Army eagle. The shoulder boards are woven silver & gold bullion cords backed in bright red, each with 2 lg. silver pips. Shoulder board buttons are gilded brass with a pebbled finish matching other buttons on the coat. The dark green wool collar has gold bullion embroidered General’s collar tabs on red. The lining of the coat is a sage green, rayon material & the sleeves are lined in white rayon. There is a label sewn below the collar that reads, “Massarbeit aus” with a logo of an eagle surrounded by the words, “.ADLER-RING-TUCH. HERVORRAGENDE QUALITAT”. There is a slit for a dagger/sword hanger. Inside of the lower right pocket is a smaller pocket that still contains a monocle in leather case, presumably belonging to Beyer. CONDITION: uniform shows light wear overall with no notable moth damage, tears or staining. (02-16021-1/BF).
2) KNIGHT’S CROSS. A very fine example of a Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross by Steinhauer & Luck. Sadly, the cross has been denazified by grinding or scratching off the Party symbol on the front of the award. The cross is marked, “800” just under the suspension loop on the reverse. The magnetic center cross is dated “1813” on the reverse & “1939” on the front. Cross is suspended from a ribbon measuring nearly 20" long. CONDITION: ribbon appears unissued. Cross shows normal wear except as noted. (02-16013/BF).
3) PAINTING. A finely executed, framed portrait painting of General Beyer measuring 37" x 30 3/8" with a sight size of 32 1/4" x 25 1/2". Beyer appears in full uniform wearing his medals & appropriate insignia. The painting shows him seated & is a knees up view. It is signed in the lower right hand corner & dated “1943”. The upper left hand corner has an Austrian heraldic cross. All his many awards are clearly visible & discernable including his Knight’s Cross. Colors are crisp & the painterly skills of the artist are evident through their depiction of Beyer. Painting appears to be cleaned, reframed & rebacked. CONDITION: painting shows light wear with a few superficial scratches & some very tiny areas of paint loss. Overall, the painting is visually striking & an accurate representation of one of Germany’s highest ranking officers of WWII. (02-16023/BF).
4) SOLDBUCH, PHOTOS & PAPERWORK. Finally, this group contains numerous photographs, Soldbuch & a variety of other documents & ephemera relating to General Beyer. His Soldbuch has numerous entries & a photo of Beyer in uniform. It lists many of his awards & assignments during his service. / 2 Of his annual hunting licenses dated 1938 & 1940. / 18 Photographs, most including Beyer, along with military action photos & photos of high ranking officers. / A calling card with his name & rank. / Various other papers relating to Beyer. / A length of Iron Cross ribbon. / A pencil sketch of General Beyer. CONDITION: most photographs remain crisp with no damage. A few show some folding & minor discoloration. Soldbook is well worn but remains easily read. Hunting licenses show light wear. Ribbon appears unissued. (02-16024/BF). $12,000-17,000.