Lot 454

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Description:

MILITARY UNIFORM OF KNIGHTS CROSS RECIPIENT KARL-EBERHARD RINKE
Wartime uniform, (probably his last) of Knights Cross of the Iron Cross recipient Oberleutnant KARL EBERHARD RINKE, 552. Grenadier Reg., receiving the award on Apr. 22, 1943. This a true "adversity" uniform, worn by Rinke while in the Kurland Pocket in the closing days of the war. The coarse green wool tunic is of typical late-war construction, four front pockets with straight pocket flaps, and a five button front closure, all bearing silver pebble-finish buttons. Shoulder boards commensurate with rank, eack bearing two pips and regiment number 552, although one number does not match (this is, of course, not to be entirely unexpected). An approx. 7 3/4" Kurland cuff title has been sewn with black thread to the end of the left sleeve, a BeVo national eagle and swastika insignia is present above the right breast pocket, and an Ostrfront ribbon passes through the top button. It shows wear commensurate with use. The dark green collar of the tunic bears metallic thread infantry collar tabs. Beneath the left lapel is Rinke's Knights Cross ribbon which has been hand-stitched just beneath the collar. On the opposite side is of the collar is a ring which would receive the pin secured to the end of the ribbon, and Rinke's Knights Cross would hang suspended from the ribbon. Obviously, the medal was not often worn, so there are a few small holes in the rear of the collar where Rinke obviously pinned the ribbon to keep it out of sight when he chose not to display the medal. The right side of the collar bears a small metal ID tag with hand-stamped letters: "OLT. K. E. RINKE". The collar and one sleeve hand bear obvious signs of field repair. The partially lined tunic bears expected wear within, and it was at one time laundered. Also present are Rinke's matching wool pants, lace-up lower-legs, leather reinforced seat and thighs, the inside of the pants ink-marked with his name, and his officer's leather belt with rectangular pebble-finish two-prong buckle is also present. A rare and highly desirable uniform, especially from so late in the war.

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September 9, 2014 11:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $3,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000