For Reichsbahn plaque awards, there is a number of different styles (and eagles) that are shown on the plaques. They were generally given as awards for 25 or 40 years of service although other occasions have been found to be celebrated with this award also. It appears some of the awards were used both before the Third Reich period as well as within the period.
For those with eagles, they are shown in three ways:
- At the crest of a circular cog containing a train
- Contained within a circular object behind a train
- In between two trains heading in different directions
Styles:
- Type 1: Imperial Eagle
- Type 2: Eagle without swastika
- Type 3: Stubby eagle
- Type 4: Medium eagle
- Type 5: Wide eagle
- Type 6: Mitropa
- Type 7: No Eagle
- Post 1945 Reichsbahn plaques
This style has the train travelling from right to left and an imperial eagle mounted at the top in the center. This design was used pre and during the Third Reich era. There are 25 and 40 year service award examples. The 40 year awards were in gold and the 25 in silver. The size is approximately 30cm by 28cm
Type 2: Eagle without swastika
This example is a gold 40 year award. The eagle does not have a swastika. This design was used during the Third Reich era. The size is 29.4cm by 34.4cm.
This style is available in round and square designs. The round variations have the train travelling from left to right. The square versions have both the train travelling from right to left and some with left to right. At the top is a stubby eagle holding the swastika. This design was used during the Third Reich era. There are 25 and 40 year service award examples. The 40 year awards were in gold and the 25 in silver. The size is 30cm by 28cm for the square ones. Sone examples have a gilded dedication plaque whereas in others the dedication plaque is part of the main plaque
This square version has the train travelling from left to right. At the top is an eagle slightly wider than the stubby style but with a sharper appearance holding the swastika. This design was used during the Third Reich era. There are 25 and 40 year service award examples. The 40 year awards were in gold and the 25 in silver. The size is 29.5cm by 27.5cm and the maker is Richard Müncheberg Plaques Berlin-Steglitz.
This square style has a train travelling from right to left. At the top is a wide winged eagle holding the swastika. This design was used during the Third Reich era. There is a 25 year service award example in silver. The size is 30cm by 28cm.
This version is for the Mitropa company and has the Mitropa adler as the symbol.
This example is a gold 40 year award. There is no eagle. This design was used during the Third Reich era. The size is 38cm by 38cm and the maker is Richard Müncheberg Plaques Berlin-Steglitz.
Below are some post 1945 examples of Deutsche Reichsbahn plaques
