1/ Glockenspiel Eagles:
These eagles adorned the top of the musical instrument known as a ‘Glockenspiel’ which was a percussive instrument similar to a xylophone with metal tune keys. During military marches, the instrument was used in an upright position while being carried and played. These pieces often had original colored horsehair tassels hanging from the stylized eagle heads on each side of the instrument.
Glockenspiel topper examples:
2/ Schellenbaum Eagles:
These eagles were also mounted at the top of the musical instrument known as a ‘Schellenbaum’. The schellenbaum, or ‘jingling johnny’ as it was often known, is also a percussion instrument consisting of a long pole with numerous bells connected to one end and fitted with crescent shaped crosspieces. It has traditionally been used for military bands and parades. In the Third Reich, the bands used banners attached to the schellenbaum to identify the unit or division it was attached to. These pieces also often had original colored horsehair tassels hanging from the stylized eagle heads on each side of the instrument.
Schellenbaum topper examples:
3/ Lyre Eagles:
These eagles also adorned the top of the musical instrument known as a ‘Lyre’. The lyre is a four-stringed musical instrument having a yoke or two arms and a crossbar, projecting out from and level with the body. The strings run from a tailpiece on the bottom or front of the instrument to the crossbar. Most lyres are plucked, but a few are bowed. These pieces also often had original colored horsehair tassels hanging from the stylized eagle heads on each side of the instrument.
Lyre Topper examples:
Period pictures:
