Germany, Luftwaffe. The Awards And Documents Of Leutnant Karl Brill, Luftwaffe Fighter Ace

(Luftwaffe Abzeichen und Verleihungsurkunden). A rare and extensive collection of awards and documents from the estate of Luftwaffe fighter ace Leutnant Karl Brill, including:

1. A 1939 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central mobile swastika, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1939”, the reverse six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, the suspension loop maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “4” for Steinhauer & Lück, Lüdenscheid, measuring 44.43 mm (w) x 47.40 mm (h), weighing 18.9 grams, with some oxidation evident to the core, in near extremely fine condition; accompanied by its award document, named to Brill as an Oberfeldwebel of Jagdgeschwader 54, issued on 21 March 1943, featuring a handwritten signature of an unidentified Oberst and stand-in commander, measuring 142 mm (w) 198 mm (h), affixed to a card stock backer and with tearing and creasing evident to the document, in poor condition.

2. 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 mobile swastika, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1939”, the reverse with a block hinge and banjo-style pinback meeting a round wire catch, unmarked, measuring 44.04 mm (w) x 44.16 mm (h), weighing 20.2 grams, the core demonstrates some loss of finish, the pinback bas been bent, and the frame has been convexed post-manufacture, in very fine condition; accompanied by its award document, named to Brill as an Oberfeldwebel of Jagdgeschwader 54, issued on 11 August 1943, featuring a handwritten signature of General Günther Korten (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, 3 May 1941), measuring 140 mm (w) x 200 mm (h), affixed to a card stock backer and with some soiling evident, in better than very fine condition.

3. A Black Grade Wound Badge, constructed of blackened magnetic metal, the obverse consisting of an oval laurel leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom with ribbon, with a central Stahlhelm overlaid by a mobile swastika, on top of crossed swords on a pebbled field, the reverse with a vertical pinback meeting a flat wire catch, unmarked, measuring 36.87 mm (w) x 44.34 mm (h), weighing 12.0 grams, in near mint condition; accompanied by its award document, named to Brill as an Oberfähnrich of 1. Staffel Jagdgruppe Ost, issued on 10 August 1944 for a single wound suffered on 7 August, featuring a handwritten signature of Major Viktor Bauer (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, 30 July 1941; with Oak Leaves, 26 July 1942), measuring 147 mm (w) x 208 mm (h), affixed to a card stock backer and with some creasing evident, in near extremely fine condition.

4. A Front Flying Clasp for Fighters in Silver, constructed of silvered zink, the obverse consisting of a central circular laurel leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by a swastika, around a central bronzed winged arrow, flanked on each side by nine oak leaves, the reverse with a barrel hinge and horizontal banjo-style pinback meeting a flat wire catch, unmarked, measuring 77.06 mm (w) x 25.56 mm (h), weighing 16.0 grams, with loss of finish and some oxidation evident, in very fine condition; accompanied by its award document, named to Brill as a Feldwebel of Jagdgeschwader 54, issued on 5 November 1942, featuring a handwritten signature of an unidentified Hauptman, measuring 148 mm (w) x 208 mm (h), affixed to a card stock backer and with minor creasing and soiling evident, in very fine condition.

5. A Front Flying Clasp for Fighters in Gold with “200” Hanger, constructed of gilded bronze, the obverse consisting of a central circular laurel leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by a swastika, around a central gilt winged arrow, flanked on each side by nine oak leaves, the bottom of the wreath with two integral loops accommodating a plaque with a raised number “200” flanked by laurel leaves, the reverse with a barrel hinge and horizontal banjo-style pinback meeting a round wire catch, measuring 75.82 mm (w) x 25.77 mm (h) (not inclusive of hanger), weighing 19.3 grams, the hanger has lost most of its finish and the reverse demonstrates cracking of the arrow insignia, in very fine condition; accompanied by its award document, named to Brill as an Oberfähnrich of Jagdgeschwader 54, issued on 25 November 1944, featuring a handwritten signature of unconfirmed Generalleutnant, possibly Joachim-Friedrich Huth (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, 11 September 1940), measuring 148 mm (w) x 208 mm (h), affixed to a card stock backer and with some creasing evident, in near extremely fine condition.

6. An award document for a Pilot’s Badge, named to Karl Brill as a Feldwebel, issued on 28 August 1941, featuring a facsimile signature of General Gustav Kastner-Kirdorf, measuring 147 mm (w) x 210 mm (h), affixed to a card stock backer and with some creasing evident, in very fine condition.

7. An award document for a Front Flying Clasp for Fighters in Bronze, named to Brill as a Feldwebel of Jagdgeschwader 54, issued on 20 September 1942, featuring a handwritten signature of Major Hannes Trautloft (Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords, 14 April 1939; Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, 27 July 1941; German Cross in Gold, 27 July 1942), measuring 147 mm (w) x 210 mm (h), affixed to a card stock backer and with some creasing evident, in very fine condition.

8. An award document for a Front Flying Clasp for Fighters in Gold, named to Brill as an Oberfeldwebel of Jagdgeschwader 54, issued on 23 March 1943, featuring a handwritten signature of Luftwaffe fighter ace Major Hans Philipp (Luftwaffe Honour Goblet, 28 September 1940; Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, 22 October 1940; with Oak Leaves, 24 August 1941, and; Swords, 12 March 1942; German Cross in Gold, 18 June 1942), measuring 149 mm (w) x 210 mm (h), affixed to a card stock backer with some creasing evident, in near extremely fine condition.

9. An award document for a Luftwaffe Honour Goblet, named to Brill as an Oberfeldwebel in recognition of bravery and exceptional achievements as a fighter pilot, issued on 27 October 1943, featuring a facsimile signature of Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring and a handwritten signature of Generaloberst Bruno Loerzer (Pour le Mérite, 12 February 1918; Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, 29 May 1940), measuring 210 mm (w) x 293 mm (h), affixed to a card stock backer and with creasing and some tears evident, in very fine condition.

10. An award document for a German Cross in Gold, named to Brill as a Leutnant, issued on 23 December 1944, featuring a facsimile signature of Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring and a handwritten signature of Generaloberst Rudolf Meister (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, 5 September 1944), measuring 253 mm (w) x 352 mm (h), affixed to a card stock backer and with extensive creasing and material fatigue evident, in poor condition.

11. A typewritten letter addressed to Brill from Oberbereichsleiter Walter Borlinghaus, NSDAP Kreisleiter for the city of Dortmund, extending congratulations on his receipt of the German Cross in Gold, hailing him as the pride of his hometown of Dortmund, and closing with best wishes for further combat, featuring Borlinghaus’ handwritten signature, dated 24 January 1945, measuring 205 mm (w) x 298 mm (h), affixed to a card stock backer and with some creasing and soiling evident, in better than very fine condition.

12. A Luftwaffe Officer’s breast eagle, constructed of dark grey wool, the obverse bearing a hand-embroidered silver aluminum wire Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, unmarked, measuring 90 mm (w) x 50 mm (h), with minor material fatigue evident, in near extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Born on 20 March 1920, Karl Brill was a fighter ace with at least 33 confirmed victories between 7 March 1943 and 18 December 1944 (the majority on the Eastern Front, with at least one P-51 also downed), achieved while serving with Jagdgeschwader 54. He was later selected for jet fighter training, ostensibly under Jagdgeschwader 7, but there is no evidence that he saw combat in the aircraft. Brill survived the war with the rank of Leutnant and died on 19 January 1994.