Reichsautobahn 1000km - 1936 commemorative plaque

[wood]

Here's another.
Regards,
Pete

[cricketchris1944]

I do not know where they were suppose to go.
I can tell you as a kid visiting my uncle in Germany in Wiesbaden one of the bridges outside the city had one of those plaque .
I remember him telling us what it was for.Also going back years late and it was gone.
chris

[StefanM]

Here's another.
Regards,
Pete

Thanks for posting, Pete.



This similar 3000 km plaque was sold by Tennants Auctioneers for £130 in 2010.

I also found a photo of different 1000 km plaque form below...



...and a postcard to commemorate the 1000 km completion featuring Hitler.





***
From 1936, and the first 1000 km, the goal was to build a further 1000 km of autobahn per year. The 3000km plaque was issued in 1938 however some 9.5% the carraigeway was only single lane to meet the target of 3000 km. In 1939 only 255 km was constructed but road building increased in 1940 to 446 km. By 1943 the autobahn network stood at a total of 3858 km although 14% was single carraigeway.

Paraphrased from:
The German Autobahn, 1920-1945: Hafraba Visions and Mega Projects
By Richard Vahrenkamp

***
There was a commemorative plaque to mark the construction of 2000 km in 1937 when Hitler attended the ceremony in front of 2000 construction workers.








For sale online at $750: "Large gold and blue enameled plak, 4 1/2" in length and 4 1/4" in width for the completion of 2000 KM of the Reichs Autobahn. Eagle and winged wheel are separately riveted to center portion of plak. Marked "Deschler & Sohn, Munchen 9."

[wood]

That 2000 km plaque looks like a special presentation piece.
There are also 4 tinnies of the same emblems. Unfortunately I only have the one.
Pete

[Erich S]

A nice plaque and Kris @ Third Reich Arts has a nice statue from the same event for sale.

[Duzig]

Hello all,
Interesting thread. I was wondering about those 2000km enameled plaques. I have one with a different color enamel but I have read and been told my some that these items are fantasy items. Any ideas regarding these plaques or solid information as to their originality?, or not?
thanks again,
Duzig(Bill)

[StefanM]

Hello all,
Interesting thread. I was wondering about those 2000km enameled plaques. I have one with a different color enamel but I have read and been told my some that these items are fantasy items. Any ideas regarding these plaques or solid information as to their originality?, or not?
thanks again,
Duzig(Bill)

I guess one would need to find a Deschler & Sohn sales catalogue of the period, if these were ever sold as such. Please post some photos of your plaque if possible

I couldn't say if these are fantasy pieces or not but if there were 1000 km and 3000 km plaques it is natural to assume that if Hitler was at the ceremony to mark the 2000 km completion a commemorative plaque would probably also have been made?

[Duzig]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]506156[/ATTACH]Hello again all,
I have attached a few pictures of the plaque that I have. I also believe I have seen a few of these plaques in a slightly larger size at a gun show a few years ago. In any case I hope to hear more info and opinions on these items.
Thanks
Duzig(Bill)

[StefanM]

Neither version of the 2000 km enamelled plaques seem to have pre-drilled mounting holes as found on the plain 1000 km and 3000 km alloy plaques so would suggest they were not made for the same purpose. A period Deschler & Sohn catalogue would be really helpful.

[Duzig]

Hello again.
4thskorion, If these enameled plaques are original perhaps they might be given to some people who had a part in planning or something other than a ordinary worker perhaps. Just a supposition on my part for sure. Another thing I have noticed is that I have never seen one of these enameled plaques cased. I dont know whether any of the other non enameled plaques would have come in a case but I would think a special version of the same plaque which might perhaps be given to some in elevated positions would be cased? Being that I have one of these plaques it would be nice to find out for sure whether they are good, bad or what. I tend to feel that they are probably dubious at the very least...unfortunately. I think they are very well made & quite impressive. If these are bad, were there any enameled ones ever produced? I hope others have more info.
regards,
Duzig(Bill)