Fantastic 900mm Railroad Eagle by APAG – G220
Well, it certainly is a thrill to be offering such a rare eagle as the one in this listing. Where collectors with determination seek out these magnificent displays, just to find a 24”, 27”, or occasionally an exceptional 28” example, can be a long wait. But to actually locate one of these 35” birds is usually just a mystical passing thought for most. The reason is that these massive 90cm birds are extremely rare, and seldom ever offered onto the collectors market. Over the 100 plus railroad eagles that I’ve owned in years past, I’ve had but 4 others of this size that I recall.
The history of this eagle is that it has been laying on a shelf in a U.K. cinema prop business for as long as any of the employees could remember. This company owns the largest inventory of antique armor and weaponry in the entire world, which they rent out for movies sets and cinema productions on a global basis. The company’s history goes back to the 1930’s as to when they started in business. If a WWII film called for a setting in which such an eagle were needed, you can bet this was the one used in the production on the set. I don’t think I have enough time left in my life to go though all of the WWII movies that the one vendor who sets up at the SOS is always offering to collectors. But wouldn’t it be fantastic to find this exact eagle in one of those classic films?
On to the description. The obverse of this bird displays the typical aluminum color overall, which is highlighted with shades of dark patina in the recesses. The wonderful detail to the eagles head, eye, body, as well as the wreath and swastika, is absolutely fantastic! In the photos you can make out 3 extremely small holes in the plaque. One at the left wing tip, one at the right where the inner feathers meet the long horizontal section, and finally one below the 7 o’clock swastika arm. These are the diameter size of a toothpick, and no doubt inconspicuously drilled in order to hang or display the eagle on a movie setting. There appears to be evidence of a couple other holes at one time on the horizontal wings which were long ago filled. None of these detract nor take away from this exceptional display, and part of the history again of this eagle used in cinema film production. On the reverse 2/3 of the original mounting studs are shown, which were used when this eagle was displayed during the 3rd Reich period. In the center of the eagles body is the chemical compound element stamp: GAL-Mg-Si, and the manufactures initials APAG.
As mentioned, the rarity of these 35” railroad eagles can not be under estimated. I’ve always maintained that there are more post war reproductions of the 900mm railroad eagle than period examples produced during the period. Most of the reproductions collectors see on the market today have come out of the U.K. How ironic that this historic example in this offering came from a movie prop company in this same country! And lastly, in the few rare period photos of these striking massive displays being used during the era, 2 are seen on the outside of what appeared to be an SS headquarters building of some sort. The other on a coach car of a Nazi train which was named Amerika. That of course being the Fuhrer’s private mobile fortress! SOLD