27″ Railroad Eagle by Rhein-Metall Borsig – G222
As the title states, this is a 680mm (27”) rail eagle which was manufactured by the Borsig casting firm. The obverse has a muted gold tone to it which appears to have been done during the period. Though we don’t have any information as to why these eagles are at times found in this manner, it is certainly something which I have encountered as owning many examples of these birds over the years. That aside, one can never be sure that the returning vet didn’t enhance these eagles as shown, to display as their souvenirs from the war. The same can be said in regards to the black swastika and surrounding red field around it. This particular eagle was no doubt pried from where is was fastened as indicated by the 3 broken studs on the reverse, and the single hole of where one was once located. A little bit of the original threads remain on those 3 studs which were broken. Apparently in order to display his trophy eagle the vet inserted 2 small steel brads to hang his souvenir up at his home. You can see one toward each of the wing tips. On the reverse of the eagle body the word Germany 1945 has been written in red. Below that area is the double circle trademark of the Rhein-Metall Borsig casting firm, and the chemical compound make up; Gal-Mg (Hy. A decent example of a larger 27”, 3rd Reich railroad eagle. SOLD