The piece above from a later period, has the early 3rd Reich Eickhorn double oval mark. awarded to forestry guard Gustav Sondergeld, some new information that has come my way indicates that these honorhirschfangers were only given out to guys who:-
"To those persons who risked their lives during a fight with a poacher".
These guards were not often armed with anything other than a stick or possibly a bayonet/knife, the poachers invairably were armed much heavier, I know where the bravery lays in that situation and can understand the award of such a beautiful and meaningful weapon.
Cheers
Gary
