Full medal write up
Established in 1915, the Ehrenbecher fur den Sieger im Luftkampfe, or Honour Goblet for the Victor in Air Combat was awarded to pilots, Observers and aerial gunners for their first confirmed victory over an enemy aircraft. Originally made from solid silver, as the War progressed into 1916, the number of aircraft and in turn, aerial victories greatly increased and so did the number of Awards. The financial cost, as well as supply of silver, resulting in the Ehrenbecher’s being produced in silver plated/washed iron. The iron example offered here was manufactured replicating the hammered silver effect seen on early silver issued pieces, which is not always replicated on steel types. The "Chef des Feldflugwesens" stamp on this example is relatively indistinct, which is a result of the lesser quality of casting. Though this is only apparent on the underside of the goblet but suggests a later war manufactured piece. The seam where the metal was joined together along the length of the goblet which is sometimes very visible on steel examples, can barely been seen on this example.
Many sources have claimed that later in the War, the Ehrenbecher may have only been awarded for 3 or even 5 victories. However this seems unlikely and in his excellent study of these awards, Carsten Baldes rightly points out that in 1918, many recipients were being awarded the Ehrenbecher after one victory and that it was the actual supply of and delivery of the awards, coupled with the number of victories some aircrew were claiming over a relatively short period of time, that mean’t often the recipient didn’t actually receive their goblet for some time after their initial victory. It may well be that very late in 1918, only an award document was issued, the goblet itself not being awarded due to the end of the War.
The Ehrenbecher’s were issued unnamed, however each award was accompanied by a named award document.
Condition is very good with no knocks, dents or damage. Measuring 19.95cm x 9.6cm. The majority of the silver remains, much with an attractive dark patina but in common with most iron examples, the silver is thinning in areas where it has been handled. However there are no rust marks. A scarce piece.