Description:

BRASS SS CYANIDE SUICIDE CAPSULE
SS contract 77/42 Tesch und Stabenow hollow brass container for a cyanide vial, 1 3/4" long, 5/16" wide. These containers held glass, single-dose capsules of cyanide which would be removed by the bearer prior to questioning. He would bite down on the glass ampule and the cyanide would take its deadly effect within seconds. This poison was effectively used by both Heinrich Himmler and Herman Goring to escape execution at the hands of the Allies. The vial bears the correct type knurled edges on both the lid and the bottom. The SS runes usually seen on the top have been filed-off, perhaps by a restricted European dealer or owner. Additionally, although these vials have been widely reproduced, our example does not bear the SS runes on the bottom cap, but instead is engraved: "C 1S". The filing and atypical lettering compared to the reproductions leads us to believe that this is legitimate, period piece. A very thin-walled glass ampule (empty) with cork is set within. A few scuffs to the knurled rim from prior opening, else very good. Provenance: The War Museum, New York.

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March 18, 2016 10:30 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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