Luftwaffe Officers Club furniture from 1939

[PzV]

I was in Schweinfurt last week at the former WWII Luftwaffe base now called Conn Barracks in the former officers club. I noted a large chest in solid oak with massive wrought iron fittings and here are a few photos. It is dated 1939 and signed by the person who carved it and is one of the rare still remaining pieces of original furnishings of the Luftwaffe there. Depicted on the front are Germanic weapons and weaponry over the years.

[PzV]

a close-up of the dated panel

[PzV]

each side of the chest has an iron cross with a swastika that has been partially removed

[PzV]

a view of the top showing the wrought iron fittings. This is a very large piece which probably explains why it still exists. We spoke with the manager who was there and he stated that when the club was recently renovated they threw the original chandeliers in the dumpster and this will probably happen to this piece when the base is turned back over to the Germans in 2014.

[PzV]

another view of this item

[PzV]

the other side panel with the swastika more extensively removed.

[John Pepera]

PzV,

Thanks for the interesting photos.

I would find a place for the chest or whatever it is. How does the chest open? Swivel top or?

Did you by chance take photos of the hanging pictures and if so, please post them.

Thanks much,

John

[Bryant U.]

PzV,

Yes as John said this beautiful chest needs to be saved from being discarded. With two fully dressed LW pilot mannequin setups on either side of the chest to hide the denazifications I could deal with having this in a display room.

Thanks for taking the time to take photos and share.

Bryant

[djpool]

Originally Posted by PzV

a view of the top showing the wrought iron fittings. This is a very large piece which probably explains why it still exists. We spoke with the manager who was there and he stated that when the club was recently renovated they threw the original chandeliers in the dumpster and this will probably happen to this piece when the base is turned back over to the Germans in 2014.

Jim

Your failing. I can't believe you didn't snag the chandeliers! Jim

[PzV]

Jim,

I just found out about the chandeliers which are long gone and have no idea how to get the chest out but it would fit nicely in my collectors room! We have to also consider some of the very nice stone eagles around here (like in Heidelberg where two are in place!).

I have also been presently taking "then and now shots" before the structures are torn down once they are returned. It is all going very fast!

[Pierre]

I hope that with the manager's help you'll be able to save it from the ultimate denazification. Too bad for the chandeliers.

Pierre

[ronin]

please save it
i see a keyhole. maybe there's something inside?

[-Ray-]

Interesting, I have seen identical fixtures as this when I was stationed at Kitzingen (Airfield where Rudel landed). The Eagles Nest that was once the LW fliers club/billets had this same kind of furnishings.

-Ray-

[kaiserwilhelm2]

Wonderful piece. I would be surprised if it would be scrapped. I am pretty sure it will end up somewhere. IMO at least worth 3000 euro.

[kaiserwilhelm2]

Originally Posted by John Pepera

I would find a place for the chest or whatever it is. How does the chest open? Swivel top or?

John

Obviously a top loader - hinges on top.