Himmler To Heissmeyer Presentation Cigarette Case

Made By Otto Gahr

SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Heissmeyer had always been highly respected by RF-SS Himmler, and the two men met socially. As such it isn’t surprising that Himmler had a fine silver cigarette case made for Heissmeyer as a presentation gift by his inner-circle jeweller & silversmith, Otto Gahr. To anyone in the SS, a gift made by the firm of Gahr would have a special and deep meaning. Gahr made all the SS-Totenkopfrings for the SS, and was also responsible for the manufacture of the coveted Deutschland Erwache standards.

Description: solid silver cigarette case in square form, and with hand-beaten panels. The edges round formed, and hinged to one side. Typical of high quality workmanship, the inside with mercuric gilt panels. And polished silver edges. One edge with silversmith stamps.To one mercuric gilt panel, the dedication from Himmler to Heissmeyer, ‘SS Brigadefuhrer Heissmeyer in herzlicher kameradenschaft H.Himmler 11.1.34’. Both inner panels with the original golden yellow elastics in place. The dimensions: 9cm x 8cm x 12cm.

The cigarette case contained within its original  brown leatherette covered presentation case. The case with hinged rear and stud style fastening opens to reveal a light buff coloured silk with black impressed name & address of Gahr. The inside base finished in a fine buff coloured velvet.

Condition report: The silver cigarette case free from any adverse dents or other exterior damage (outside of normal usage). The case remaining uncleaned and with light age patination. The silver fastener now missing, but the spring catch still allowing the case to open and close. The inside showing, again, normal usage. Some staining and age patination to the mercuric gold panels. The Himmler dedication fine and clear. The original elastics present but delicate.

The presentation case with some wear to the brown exterior leatherette. Some fraying to the sides , and the internal wood of the case showing in places. The hinge and fastener functioning. The interior silk roof and velvet base in generally clean condition, with just light use evident. The Gahr name and address clear and sharp.

Provenance: The Himmler-Heissmeyer presentation cigarette case a part of the estate of Heissmeyer after his death in 1979. The estate then belonging to his wife, Gertrud Scholtz-Klink. Shortly before her death in 1999 at the age of 97, what remained of Heissmeyer’s Third Reich associated estate was offered for sale. The Hamburg-based military antiques specialist, Helmut Weitze, travelled to Schwäbisch Hall and purchased the Heissmeyer items, including the Gahr cigarette case. This, and other Heissmeyer items were later purchased by the UK-based SS dealer / collector, Peter Jenkins. The Heissmeyer cigarette case was acquired from Jenkins for the Meadway collection in 2012.