Rail JandZ - Third Reich Eagles

Maker: J&Z (Johannsen & Ziegner)

Availability: Uncommon

The J&Z eagles have several sets of markers on them. The makers mark is located on the left wing (from the back).

The following types exist:

Type 1 – This style has a solid body with the appearance of pressed wings.
Type 2 – This style has the appearance of pressed wings and body.

There are several variations of the other markings as described below.

The 1st image shows a Type 1 model, whereas the 2nd shows a Type 2.

A – Wing markings 1

These marking were all indented.

1 – Makers Mark – An indented “J&Z”

B – Wing markings 2

1 – Material: GAL Mg Si (The composition of the material used to make the alloy – Aluminium, Magnesium, Silicon). Note there is nothing in between GAL and Mg and Si.

C – Body Markings

There are 2 variations on the Type 1 body. The Type 2 has no markings on the body at all.

LOK/Nothing This describes where the eagle was attached to the train.

“LOK” (Lokomotiv Reichsbahn Zug – Locomotive National train) – the engine
Nothing – If the eagle is a “WAGEN” – Attached to the Wagon/Passenger compartments there will be no designation on this part of the eagle.

RZA – Reichsbahn-Zentralamt organisation – The RDB department that issued order about eagles and supplied the molding jigs. Note the purpose and meaning of the number after the RZA text is not currently known.

BLN (sometimes BERL) – stands for Berlin (The location of the RZA). Munich also had a RZA however no known examples exist on eagles.

“ORIGINAL” – noted on a 4 stud versions (35″) and a 27″ version – refer to markings for more information

Known sizes

J&Z eagles are found in the following sizes:

Studs

The following sizes had 3 studs:

The following sizes had 4 studs:

600mm (24″)
695mm (27″)
895mm (35″).
A couple of these have the word “ORIGINAL” is positioned in capital letters just below the “LOK RZA BLN” lettering. This is thought to stand for “Entwickelungsfirma” (Development company) – refer to markings for more information

The following combinations have been observed:

Points of note

This eagle is known for its extraordinary quality.
A 900mm J& Z example has on the rear of the swastika a small M above the numbers 45 in small circles
There seems to be two distinct molds used in the creation of the J&Z eagles. View the difference on the back especially the body section. One version gives the appearance of pressed metal across the whole back (Type 2) – quite detailed. The other version has a flat body portion on the back (Type 1). An example of each of the two different backs is shown below: