Germany, Luftwaffe. The Decorations, Awards & Photographs Of Fighter Ace Franz Dörr

(Abzeichen und Bilder von Franz Dörr). This is a unique and extensive collection of medals and photographs belonging to Luftwaffe fighter ace Franz Dörr, including a Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, constructed of iron and silver, consisting of Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central raised mobile swastika and reinstitution date of “1939” on the six o’clock arm, the reverse with an initial institution date of “1813” on the six o’clock arm, marked on the reverse twelve o’clock arm with a silver content mark of “800” and LDO code of “L/12” for maker C.E. Juncker, Berlin, the twelve o’clock arm with an integral loop similarly marked with a silver content mark of “800”, with its period original neck ribbon, measuring 48.17 mm (w) x 54.46 mm (h), weighing 32.1 grams, minor tarnishing of the silver features and material fatigue to the neck ribbon is evident, otherwise in near extremely fine condition.

A 1939 Iron Cross I Class, constructed of iron and silver, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central raised mobile swastika and reinstitution date of “1939” on the six o’clock arm, the reverse with a barrel hinge and vertical banjo-style pinback meeting a round wire catch, marked on the pin with LDO code “7” for maker Paul Meybauer, Berlin, measuring 44.12 mm (w) x 44.24 mm (h), weighing 16.3 grams, minor tarnishing of the silver features evident, otherwise in near extremely fine condition

A Luftwaffe Pilot’s Badge, constructed of silvered tombak, consisting of an oval laurel and oak leaf wreath, the obverse with a central Luftwaffe eagle clutching a hand-filed mobile swastika, the reverse with two visible rivets holding the eagle in place, unmarked, measuring 62.45 mm (w) x 51.20 mm (h), weighing 34.0 grams, the vertical pinback apparatus is missing and there is evidence of attempts to repair and refinish the reverse, otherwise in very fine condition

A Gold Grade Short Range Day Fighter Clasp, constructed of gilded and blackened tombak, the obverse with a central winged arrow inside of a laurel wreath with a swastika at the bottom, flanked on each side by nine oak leaves, the reverse with a barrel hinge and tapering horizontal pinback meeting a round wire catch, unmarked, measuring 75.89 mm (w) x 25.80 mm (h), weighing 16.2 grams, in extremely fine condition.

A Gold Grade Short Range Day Fight Clasp with “400” Hanger, constructed of gilded tombak, the obverse with a central winged arrow inside of a laurel wreath, flanked on each side by nine oak leaves, the reverse with a barrel hinge and and tapering horizontal pinback meeting a round wire catch, unmarked, measuring 75.88 (w) x 25.80 mm (h), the obverse swastika formerly located at the bottom of the wreath has been filed away, otherwise in near extremely fine condition

A Black Grade Wound Badge, constructed of blackened bronze, the obverse with a central Stahlhelm (Steel Helmet) bearing a faint mobile swastika, on top of crossed swords on a pebbled field and within an oval laurel wreath, the reverse with a barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a flat wire catch, unmarked, measuring 36.68 mm (w) x 44.09 mm (h), weighing 11.9, an attempt has been made to file away the obverse swastika and much of the black finish has been lost, otherwise in very fine condition

A Finnish Cross of Liberty, constructed of iron and silvered bronze, consisting of a blackened magnetic iron Cross Pattée, the obverse with a silvered bronze swastika overlaid on the arms, with a central silvered flower, the reverse with an engraved date of “1941” and two rivets holding the obverse flower in place visible, the twelve o’clock arm with an integral loop connecting to a suspension apparatus in the form of a silvered oval laurel wreath with dual arms clutching swords, affixed to a period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 38.70 mm (w) x 42.00 mm (h), weighing 21.6 grams (inclusive of ribbon), in very fine condition.

A studio photograph of a seated Franz Dörr wearing the uniform of a Hauptmann (Captain), clearly wearing a Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, a German Cross in Gold, a 1939 Iron Cross I Class, a Pilot’s Badge, a Short Range Day Fighter Clasp with Hanger, and a Black Grade Wound Badge, unmarked and undated, measuring 100 mm (w) x 145 mm (h), minor material fatigue, otherwise in near extremely fine condition.

A postcard-style squadron photograph, the reverse with handwritten inscription of “Dörr”, marked “Fotokunst Adolf Möller, Freiburg”, measuring 140 mm (w) x 90 mm (h), minor material fatigue, otherwise in better than very fine condition; a large photograph of Dörr with other Luftwaffe Knight’s Cross recipients, undated and unmarked, measuring 170 mm (w) x 235 mm (h), minor material fatigue, otherwise in near extremely fine condition

A second photograph of Dörr with otherwise Luftwaffe Knight’s Cross recipients, undated and unmarked, measuring 175 mm (w) x 235 mm (h), material fatigue and tearing evident, otherwise in very fine condition.

Two photographs of Dörr with a group of Luftwaffe personnel at a Christmas party, each with a blue ink stamp on the reverse reading “Der Reichsminister für Rüstung u. Kriegsproduktuion”, measuring 178 mm (w) x 128 mm (h), in very fine condition.

A photograph of Luftwaffe officers in a vehicle, unmarked, measuring 189 mm (w) x 135 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition; a studio portrait of Dörr on a postcard, unmarked, measuring 85 mm (w) x 135 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.

A larger studio portrait of Dörr, unmarked, measuring 101 mm (w) x 145 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; a photograph of Dörr with his wife and children, the reverse with a handwritten inscription reading “Urlaub März 1944” (“Vacation, March 1944”), measuring 147 mm (w) x 105 mm (h), in better than very fine condition.

A small studio portrait of Dörr on a postcard, unmarked, measuring 85 mm (w) x 117 mm (h), in very fine condition; a group of nine small photographs of Dörr with Luftwaffe personnel; accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Detlev Niemann which certifies the entirety of the lot and confirms that he purchased it directly from Dörr’s family.

Footnote: Franz Dörr

was born on 10 February 1913 in Mannheim, Baden-Württemburg. Between 1939 and 1940, he served as a reconnaissance pilot over both Poland and the Western Front. Dörr transferred to Jagdgeschwader 3 and scored his first kill on 29 September 1941, when he down a Royal Air Force Vickers Wellington. Dörr transferred to Jagdgeschwader 5, based in Norway and operating throughout the Northern Theatre of the war. He was awarded the German Cross in Gold as a Leutnant on 20 March 1944, and later received the Knight’s Cross on 19 August 1944 as a Hauptmann and Commander of III. Gruppe, JG 5, after his 99th aerial victory. He ended the war with 128 victories, all but six of which came against Soviet opposition. He survived the war and died on 10 October 1972 in Konstanz.