Walter Harzer Collection – Meda Militaria

Walter Harzer Knight’s Cross by K&Q – WH102

Walter Harzer Knight’s Cross by K&Q – WH102

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Walter Harzer Knight’s Cross by K&Q – WH102

Initially about 5 years ago, the Walter Harzer grouping was ferreted out by renown 3rd Reich collectibles dealer/collector Giel van…. . He contacted us to see if we had an interest in purchasing it and we did. The adventure of U.K. collector Gary Southgate took in a ferry across the North Sea needs told first hand as it is an incredible saga in itself. Back to the collection! Among the items in this large grouping were over 130 photos, Harzer’s membership in the HAIG with correspondence memoirs, his numbered SS Honor degen, German Cross in Gold, and this cased Knight’s Cross.

As being the commander of the 9th panzer division which held the bridge at Arnhem, temporary preventing the allies from crossing the Rhine, SS Standartenfuhrer Walter Harzer was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross personally by Wilhelm Bittrich. This historic event in later years after the war was recorded in the book and movie titled A Bridge Too Far.

The shown Knight’s Cross from this grouping was manufactured by the firm of Klein & Quenzer. There are many period photos and even several in this grouping, which show Harzer wearing a K&Q RK. This is noted very easily and identified by the thick donut shaped “ose” on the top frame of the award. The case for this award conforms to known period examples. It features black faux leather exterior which has rounded corners, and imprinted lid / side decorative lines. It is the proper 79mm in width,145mm in length, and 24mm in height. This case shows light wear and age, with the end portion of the top lid showing slight weakening but no separation. The interior lower compartment features recessed crushed black velvet which houses the award and the suspension loop. The upper portion holds the proper ribbon which is 17 inches in length. It appears cut on one end, as that removed section was most likely utilized in fastening the string ties, when Harzer wore the award with his uniform. As a matter of fact, that section of ribbon can be see in our listing of the funeral pillow displaying several of his medals, awards, and uniform insignia. The inside lid of the box is lined with padded rayon and extends to the lower portion creating the hinge for the 2 halves. The award itself is a stunning example of a Klein & Quenzer RK, in extremely beautiful condition. The baked flat black core displays a lighter smoke color and slight age. The ribbed inner bead and factory polished frame are absolutely gorgeous, and set off the highlights of this stunning RK. Shown just below the thick ose on the reverse, the frame is stamped 800. Finally, the ribbon jump ring is stamped 800 & 65. Indicating the silver content and LDO number, associated to the K&Q awards firm.

A fantastic cased Knight’s Cross, purchased with and part of the Walter Harzer grouping. $18,150.00

Cased DKiG Belonging to SS General Walter Harzer – WH101

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Cased DKiG Belonging to SS General Walter Harzer – WH101

All of the material in this grouping came together as you see it in these photos. For safe keeping as the walls came crashing down on Germany at the end of WWII, Walter Harzer had many of these awards and photos placed in a wooden box to be hidden at his home. That container was buried in the ground, underneath a garden area behind his house. Due to that fact, some of the material in these offerings has suffered some moisture damage. That aside, they are without a doubt some of the most historical awards and insignia being offered, and worn by a famous SS General as well as Knights Cross Winner. We will be offering 7 separate listings from this group. Make sure you check out all of the others.

In this listing is the German Cross in Gold awarded to SS Standartenfuhrer Walter Harzer shortly after the June Normandy invasion. As explained, several personal items belonging to Harzer were place in a wooden box, and buried in the back yard of his residence for safe keeping. You can see that the case to this DKiG does show some wear and age, both inside and out. In lieu of that, the hinge remains sound and holds the lid open properly. The award itself was manufactured by Zimmermann, and is pin marked #20. The obverse of the award shows some wear and age, but void of any enamel damage. On the reverse, a dark patina covers most of the back. All 4 rivets hold the multi piece construction of this award nice and tight throughout. The pin displays a little misshaping due to being worn. A fantastic and historic cased DKiG belonging to a highly decorated war hero, SS Standartenfuhrer Walter Harzer. $8250.00

SS General Walter Harzer Awards Grouping – WH100

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SS General Walter Harzer Awards Grouping – WH100

In this first grouping is the velvet padded covered board used to display Walter Harzer’s awards, uniform insignia, and Knights Cross ribbon. In period photos we see displays exactly like this, at funerals for fallen officers of notoriety and rank, high party officials, war heros, and others. This is believed to be the one which was displayed at Walter Harzer’s funeral in 1982 and came with this grouping as shown.

Starting at the top left is a German Horseman’s badge, Class I. It’s considered a rather rare badge in itself. In the Angolia Political Award reference, there were only 210 of these ever given out! Harzer is seen in many period photos wearing this badge. No doubt he was very proud of it. I didn’t wish to disturb this next award to look for the manufactures mark, because it has been pinned into this velvet pad and rather secure. So, I don’t know the maker on this Iron Cross 1st Class. The black core is nicely toned, with beautiful patina which has covered the silver frame. The catch is intact on the reverse. In the top center is a photo of Walter Harzer wearing the rank insignia of SS Obersturmbannfuhrer on his tunic. He also wears a cloth German Cross in Gold, and an EKI. This was a photo probably taken right after operation “Marketgarden”, as Harzer is also wearing his Knights Cross which he won during that campaign. To the right of the photo is an Eastern Front medal and a well worn Infantry Assault badge. The IAB is missing the catch. In the center of the funeral awards display pillow is 5″ section of a Knights Cross ribbon. With the ribbon but not attached, is a 25″ small white fabric strap, which has a 3″ red center. This tie was used in conjunction with the ribbon, no doubt when Harzer wore his Knights Cross. On the lower left is a set of Army Panzer shoulder boards which Harzer preferred over SS version. Many period photos show him wearing Heer panzer shoulder boards, especially during the last part of his military career. There is even a colored photo in one of the albums showing him in uniform wearing the same type of insignia. This set is constructed with pink backing, indicating being assigned to a panzer or armored vehicle group. Each board has 2 gold pips pinned through them. In the lower center of the display board is pinned a ribbon bar consisting of and EKII, Anschluss Commemorative medal, and Sudetenland campaign medal with bar. To the lower right of this ribbon bar is an EKII with ribbon. Finally, a second set of Heer Panzer shoulder boards. Once again each board shows 2 golden pips. Designating that Harzer wore these as he quickly rose through the ranks at the end of the war, being a Standartenfuhrer at the time.

There you have it, an absolutely rare grouping of awards and uniform insignia, pinned to the funeral display board of SS Standartenfuhrer Walter Harzer. An amazing set belonging to a truly famous SS General, and Knights Cross Winner! $6600.00

SS Officer Honor Degen – WH105

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SS Officer Honor Degen – WH105

The last addition to the Walter Harzer collection is the SS honor degen numbered and the personal property of this famous SS General and Knight’s Cross winner! As with some of the album photos and insignia which came with this grouping, this sword was exposed to the elements when it was buried for safe keeping in a wood box behind Harzer’s home. Being such there is some carbon spotting and oxidation on the blade where moisture from the scabbard runners trapped and attracted moisture. In light of that it is still a very collectible edged weapon because of the significance of who it belonged to. Here is the description.

Walter Harzer first appears in the SS Dienstalterliste in 1937, exactly coinciding with the type of construction you would expect to see with his SS honor sword. The hilt components consisting of the ferrule, D ring hand guard, and pommel all of which are plated steel. The plating of the D guard and upper ferrule has held up very nice with just some moderate aging to the surface. Though nearly black with age and patina and hard to see, the underside of the D guard is marked with the SS culture proof stamp. This is typical of these earlier degens and most often seen. The lower ferrules on these transition period swords are most often observed manufactured in a natural muted steel appearance, as with the one on this hilt. The 13 segment wood grip remains in excellent condition, being void of any chips, splits, cracks or missing wood. As par for these grips, the surface shows some wear to the black enamel paint that these handles were coated with. All 12 of the decorative silver wire strands highlighting the segments are secure to the grip and held in place by the back strap running the length of the reverse side of the handle. Lastly, this grip is fitted with an aluminum Assmann produced SS runic. Though the emblem does show some wear to the metal surface and background paint, nothing has been touched up or altered. In spite of being stored in a container buried in the ground, the hilt and grip assembly to this degen has survived pretty damn good, all things considered.

I’m sure Walter Harzer was a bit dismayed when he was finally able to retrieve is prized SS honor sword as well as the other items that he had safely hidden away, prior to the end of the war. While burying them in a container what he thought may have been safe, proved otherwise because we know that the moisture in the ground did affect some of the items, including his sword. The scabbard to this degen remains nice and straight throughout. It is coated with thick black paint showing heavy brush strokes over areas of oxidation. No doubt this was done by Harzer to prevent any further eroding of it’s surface. Both upper and lower fittings are totally black with age and have remained in an untouch state. Usually common for the lower fitting on these SS officer’s swords, it is a pressed on component. While at the throat end, the upper is held by 2 dome head screws. The original factory black background paint remains in the diamond shapes of the basket weave pattern on the upper fitting. Finally, you can just barely make out the SS Kulturczichen under the encrusted upper lip of this fitting.

Lastly, the blade. Oh I know, it’s spotted and dark due to the moisture that the wooden runners once had trapped but with that aside it does have some redeeming factors. This blade remains full length, void of any sharpening, tipping, cutting edged chips, or polishing. It still has the original matte factory surface finish and fortunately no attempt has been made to try to foolishly improve the imperfections which were caused by the improper storage. That is part of this swords history and the result when Harzer wanted to hide one of his most prized possessions. This 33″ unmarked blade perfectly matches the length of the scabbard and is exactly what you want to see with any sword. The off white leather original blade washer is in place and butts up against the D guard. It is now all dark with age where it has laid against the upper scabbard fitting for all of these years. Finally, General Harzer’s SS number is engraved on the obverse of the blade riccasso; 23101. How cool having that bit of information, tying this actual sword to such a famous SS General and Knight’s Cross winner!

Without a doubt, the most important SS edged weapon we have ever had the privilege of offering to the collecting community. Presenting the SS Honor Sword of Standartenfuhrer Walter Harzer. $19,995.00

Walter Harzer’s HIAG Memoir Album – WH103

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Walter Harzer’s HIAG Memoir Album – WH103

Formed in 1950 by former high ranking surviving officers of the Waffen SS, the organization called Hilfsgemeinschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit der Angehörigen der ehemaligen Waffen-SS – HIAG was founded. This group was organized to provide mutual aid to soldiers who had served in the Waffen SS and their families. It also gave assistance to the families who searched for missing loved ones and also legal support for those who were in Allied captivity. Founded by former SS Brigadefuhrer Otto Kumm, this organization grew quickly to nearly 400 local branches located throughout German. The HIAG was very controversial in that it’s membership involved SS officers who had been incarcerated after the war and had been convicted of war crimes. Many notable names and war heros from within the SS were members of this organization. Among those were: Paul Hausser, Felix Steiner, Herbert Gille, Sepp Dietrich, Kurt Meyer[, and Wilhelm Bittrich. Folding to political and public pressure, the HIAG disbanded in 1992.

During the time of it’s existence, Walter Harzer became the official historian for the HIAG, until his death in 1982. He coordinated the compiling of battle accounts of various Waffen SS units, their histories and the memoirs of the fighting soldiers who served in those outfits. In doing so, this contemporary album with protective sleeves, holds the personal papers, photos, and documents which Harzer compiled as historian for the HIAG. In it are newspaper accounts of him during his war time command, many photos, mail correspondences, letters, post cards between he and other SS officers and much more. There is literally a little treasure trove of information preserved in this album. These documents, photos, etc were the personal property of Knights Cross winner commander of the 9th Panzer SS division, who’s men held the bridge too far at the battle of Arnhem. Also included with this group are 2 commemorative plaques, and a large pewter cup with Harzer’s name engraved on it. Evidently these must have been tokens of appreciation given by the organizations at which Harzer was the guest of honor or main speaker. Truly a fantastic and historic group of documents and memoirs and once personal property of SS Oberfuhrer Walter Harzer. $3850.00

Walter Harzer War Time Photo Collection – WH104

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Walter Harzer War Time Photo Collection – WH104

This next grouping of the Walter Harzer collection consists of a 2 album set, containing 110 outstanding and rare photos. The small pocket size album has 18 photos, mainly consisting of Harzer, his wife, and their wedding ceremony. The second set show Walter Harzer throughout his military career years, Knight’s Cross ceremony, and more. They include from the time that he graduated from the SS Junker officer candidate school in Braunschweig, right up until being awarded the Knights Cross for his leadership command in defending Arnhem against the allies. The majority of the photos in large format size, with very nice clarity and also labeled. Some of the pictures have exhibit moisture damage. This was due to being storaged in the hidden container which Harzer buried in the back yard of his residence for safe keeping, prior to German surrendering. A truly magnificent collection of photos, of which the integrity has been kept intact and un-comprimised. None have ever been published or copied in any fashion. $9900.00