Vehicle hood ornament swastika

**Harvey R Lipp** · 03-31-2015, 07:39 PM

I acquired the item in the photos and I am wondering what it is. Looks like a hood ornament but not sure. Also wondering what the letters standfor on the swastika. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

**DrPMC** · 03-31-2015, 08:42 PM

Thank you for showing this interesting item and welcome to the forum.

I may be wrong, but I have a feeling that this item isn't German. Before 1933 the swastika was a common good luck symbol and I have seen it on other car ornaments. There is another example below, which also has a St. Christopher medallion in the centre (presumably aimed at those wishing to hedge their bets).

However, I'd add that the swastika in its 'mobile' form (as on your item) seems to me much less common in non-nazi uses, which are usually 'static' (as below).

Regards, Philip

**Harvey R Lipp** · 03-31-2015, 08:59 PM

Thanks for your comments. Because of the way it is made I feel it is Nazi and from 1934 to 1945.

**DrPMC** · 03-31-2015, 09:02 PM

A couple more:

An early 'Lucky' brass swastika Car Mascot, accompanied by photograph of early Darracq with similar mascot. (From a Brightwells catalogue, 2010)

A 'Lucky Five' mascot, British, registered design 1923,
earliest 'badge' version, the five symbols of good luck comprising black painted cat, horseshoe, wishbone, four leaf clover and swastika, nickle plated bronze, 5in high, on a turned wooden display base. (From a Bonhams catalogue, 2007)

**jfreakofkorn** · 04-01-2015, 02:18 PM

cool piece ... that is for sure

the lettering could be someone s initials .. ??

**Harvey R Lipp** · 04-02-2015, 10:43 PM

by jfreakofkorn

cool piece ... that is for sure

the lettering could be someone s initials .. ??

One thought was that was the initials might be for "Jacob werlin" Seems unlikely but who knows.

**DrPMC** · 04-03-2015, 10:16 AM

by Harvey R Lipp

One thought was that was the initials might be for "Jacob werlin" Seems unlikely but who knows.

I don't think it is likely that these could be personal initials, because that would suggest that patterns and molds were made for a single one-off casting. If that was so, I would have expected the whole thing to be of much finer quality. As it is, it looks like an item that was produced in some quantity. If we are considering the W.J. what then do we make of the large "H" which accompanies them? Is it a letter at all or a representation of something else? - it made me think of football goal posts. Seeing that you come from Washington State did you obtain this locally? If so, might the "W" be for Washington? For example: Washington and Jefferson College!

I remain doubtful that this is German. I can't think of any Nazi organisation whose initials was "WJ" or "WHJ" or whatever. I should also be remembered that legislation was enacted in the Third Reich to regulate the use of Nazi symbols in response the proliferation of Kitsch.

Whatever the history of this ornament, it is an intriguing item. If its not German, then in my opinion that would make it much more historically interesting.

Philip

**Harvey R Lipp** · 04-03-2015, 08:02 PM

Thanks for the thoughts. I think the item is old. The Radiator cap looks to be very old with lots of patina. You may be correct that it is not Nazi but sure looks like something out of the 30's 40's. I was thinking the "H" might be for Heer and the WJ some kind of unit mark but no way to tell.

by DrPMC

I don't think it is likely that these could be personal initials, because that would suggest that patterns and molds were made for a single one-off casting. If that was so, I would have expected the whole thing to be of much finer quality. As it is, it looks like an item that was produced in some quantity. If we are considering the W.J. what then do we make of the large "H" which accompanies them? Is it a letter at all or a representation of something else? - it made me think of football goal posts. Seeing that you come from Washington State did you obtain this locally? If so, might the "W" be for Washington? For example: Washington and Jefferson College!

I remain doubtful that this is German. I can't think of any Nazi organisation whose initials was "WJ" or "WHJ" or whatever. I should also be remembered that legislation was enacted in the Third Reich to regulate the use of Nazi symbols in response the proliferation of Kitsch.

Whatever the history of this ornament, it is an intriguing item. If its not German, then in my opinion that would make it much more historically interesting.

Philip

**Hummel** · 04-04-2015, 01:15 AM

My first take on it is that it is a radiator cap for a car, maybe from the teens or 20's, or it could be later... Maybe some of the car guys would know more about it.

Hummel

**DrPMC** · 04-04-2015, 07:32 AM

by Harvey R Lipp

I think the item is old. The Radiator cap looks to be very old with lots of patina. You may be correct that it is not Nazi but sure looks like something out of the 30's 40's.

I would agree with Hummel that it is from the 1920s. I think that late 1920s or very early 30s is most likely. The cap that it is attached to looks to be chromium plated - that process was introduced in the second half of the 1920s but only started to become common at the end of the decade. Before that nickle plating was usual. (see History of Chromium Plating : Products Finishing). After 1933-4 the use of swastika as a good luck symbol fades for obvious reasons.

A link to the Heer is unlikely - they didn't use such things and it wasn't their symbol.

Philip