✅ SOLVED WW2 German Item with Swastika

[SCDigginWithAK]

Does anybody know what this is? I didn't dig it but this is the best place I could think of to find out what it is. I was told it went to a WW2 German Panzer tank and tightened the track on the tank but don't know if that's right can anybody ID this?

 

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[GpSnoopy]

Some type of valve or adjustment handle by the looks of the shaft it was used on. These images are from one online war relic sales site "suggesting" they came from a concentration camp's gas chamber, but there was no hard evidence to support that theory in my mind. I believe it is too light duty to have anything to do with a tank track. But certainly could be used for some other adjuster or valve.

 

[GpSnoopy]

Here's one listed as a heater handle. You can see that this item is on a floor of some kind, so perhaps a gas heater? Don't forget, before WWII, the swastika was a popular "good luck" symbol.

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

Yeah I saw those but I'm looking for hard evidence. I bought it for $30 and on that website they're selling for 349 hahaha good deal

 

[GpSnoopy]

Okay, how about closer to home, then. The swastika was the logo for the Crane Steel Company until the mid to late 30's. They used it on all their valves and furnaces.

Use of swastika in American manufacturing industry

Use of swastika by Crane steel
Founded in 1855, Crane steel was started by R.T Crane at Chicago. This company manufactured steam and gas cocks, iron and forged steel screwed fittings, steel and iron valves etc. All their products were marked by a swastika symbol followed by the company name. After the association of swastika with nazi’s and since most of their goods were exported to European countries, crane steel company discontinued the use of swastika in their goods after the 1930’s. Vintage crane steel catalogs illustrate valves and furnaces of varying sizes and shapes with steel or brass composition embossed with swastika symbol.

On left is the partial image of a branded crane steel valve with swastika emblem while on the right is the handle of 1920’s Crane Furnace.
Parts of this crane steel company can be found in many old companies. The Crane Valve company used swastika as a good luck symbol in almost all its valves.

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

I wish there was a pic of the back. Mine was exact with the gas chamber one

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

ok...the swastika is not a Nazi symbol...
yes the Nazi used it...but, this object is probably a 1920's era water faucet...or a natural gas valve...probably has 'made in the USA' on the backside.

NOTHING to do with the Nazi or gas chambers....

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

ok...the swastika is not a Nazi symbol...
yes the Nazi used it...but, this object is probably a 1920's era water faucet...or a natural gas valve...probably has 'made in the USA' on the backside.

NOTHING to do with the Nazi or gas chambers....

I know it was universally used. But it was bought from a WW2 dealer. And NO made in USA is not on the back

 

[Mackaydon]

Carbon monoxide from exhaust pipes and gas from canisters were used in WWII, not gas controlled by values.
IMO to relate that fixture to the Nazis and the stated purpose by the internet seller is just an attempt to enhance an otherwise, mundane value.
Don........

 

[GpSnoopy]

Since the top is identical, I'm fairly confident that this is the same type of handle.

I believe, as it is with many, many online sale's sites, that the posted information provided by the seller is often misleading. For example, Crane Steel made valves for decades in the early 1900's for use in many other manufacturer's equipment, according to their history, and probably sold worldwide. There is a good chance that many of those valves ended up in the European market before the war. So, now one is found over there, and it has a swastika on it, and the "obvious assumption" (Plus it helps to drive up the price) is that it is a Nazi device. When in fact, it is most likely just a common valve handle from an American company.

Choose what you want to believe, but in my opinion, what you have is a valve handle from a Crane Steel valve made in the early 1900's (up to the 30's). It could have come off a heater, furnace, or whatever other appliance that used this particular type of Crane valve and handle.

EDIT: I see Mackaydon posted my same sentiments about the seller while I was typing this out.

 

[AU Seeker]

I wish there was a pic of the back. Mine was exact with the gas chamber one

I not sure what else you need!!!

Yours is an exact match for the one post by GpSnoopy..... "On left is the partial image of a branded crane steel valve with swastika emblem while on the right is the handle of 1920’s Crane Furnace." it is clearly a valve handle for a "Crane Furnace".

I say this is solved, not anything to do with the Nazis or a Nazi gas chamber.

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

until I had a moment with BATF, I was considered a knowledgeable dealer in military collectables...
that piece is not Nazi...
if it was Nazi..it would have an RZM stamp....http://www.quanonline.com/military/military_reference/german/dagger_basics.html
most homes built in the early 1900's in the us had a swastika above the entrance door...these were carved out or removed during WWII.
it is a popular blessing...peace, prosperity...ect...dependent upon the culture...

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

Well here's where it all comes down I bought it for $30 is that a good deal?

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

I'm going to throw y'all off now. Mine has the stem with a screw on the back. Can anybody find me one of those on this crane company thing? I would think the crane one wouldn't have that. Plus another military expert agreed on the gas chamber idea. Can anybody find that pic?

 

[AU Seeker]

Ok maybe this will help clear this up, the german nazi swastika was rotated 45 degrees, all others are not nazi swastika.

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

I know. On the one with the gas chamber it was authinicated and was taken by a soldier in WW2 from Daucau. So basically it could be either. I guess we will never know.

 

[AU Seeker]

You keep mentioning the "gas chamber one" and the yours is an exact match to it, where is this picture of the gas chamber valve and the authentication of it?

In your OP you said you were told that it was from a Panzer tank, and now it from a gas chamber valve, you have yet provided any proof of either, but the proof of what it really is has been posted for you here and you still don't believe what it is, wishful thinking/hoping on your part I guess?

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

You keep mentioning the "gas chamber one" and the yours is an exact match to it, where is this picture of the gas chamber valve and the authentication of it?

In your OP you said you were told that it was from a Panzer tank, and now it from a gas chamber valve, you have yet provided any proof of either, but the proof of what it really is has been posted for you here and you still don't believe what it is, wishful thinking/hoping on your part I guess?

This is a pic of the back of a handle exactly like mine that was recovered by a soldier after WW2 from a concentration camp. There are two of these listed on a website with a COA from the soldier himself. I have yet to see a picture of the back of the crane steel company one.Mine has the stem and screw on it just like the two recovered from Dacau. I have emailed the owner of the website that has the two that were in gas chambers to tell me the characteristics and differences between ours. I have also contacted many third reich collectors in Europe and they agree that it was a handle for a gas chamber. And yes I am wishing (all though its creepy) that it actually is one from a chamber.

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

 

[surf]

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