Lot 278

Artifacts from/Related to Luftwaffe Fighter Ace Horst Petzscler

Previous image preload Next image preload

Artifacts from/Related to Luftwaffe Fighter Ace Horst Petzscler

Estimate: $4,500 - $7,000

Starting Bid: $3,250

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Grouping of Artifacts from and Related to Luftwaffe Fighter Ace Horst Petzschler, Including a Luftwaffe Uniform Tunic and Presentation Sword Born in Berlin in 1921, Horst Petzscler took an early interest in aviation, training as a youth glider pilot and receiving an apprenticeship as a toolmaker with Henschel Flugzeugwerke A.G. once out of school. In 1941 he enlisted in the Luftwaffe, receiving NCO and flight training, having his first encounter with the enemy in 1943 over occupied France, intercepting an Allied B-17 flight. Like many Luftwaffe pilots he split his service time between the Eastern and Western Fronts, and from May 1943 to April 1945 he would score 26 aerial victories, sufficient to make him an "Ace of Aces". While not an abnormally high number for a German fighter pilot of the era, Petzscler spent most of his career in the close air support role as a "tank buster", limiting his opportunities for air-to-air kills. He would also be downed 13 times, mostly due to ground fire, with only one recorded case of an enemy pilot shooting him down. During his career he would earn the Luftwaffe Honor Goblet, the Fighter Clasp in Gold, and the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class. In May of 1945 he attempted to make his way to an Allied airbase in the West to surrender (like many Germans, he believed that ending up in American, British or even French captivity would be better than the Soviets), due to a miscalculation he landed in neutral Sweden, who interned him until 1946, and then handed him over to the Soviets. Released in 1949, Petzchler briefly returned to Berlin before making his way to Canada and later the United States. In the U.S. he would be employed in the Aircraft industry, and also receive invitations as a lecturer/presenter at history and aviation conferences. Per a pair of notarized statements signed by Petzscler in March 2010, the contents of the lot are a mix of wartime-owned items and post-war memorabilia, with the tunic in particular attributed as the one worn by Petzchler during his final flight to Sweden, as well as additional items related to Petzscler added to the grouping at a later date. The tunic is blue-gray wool construction, with proper shoulder straps and collar tabs for an aviation oberfeldwebel, yellow waffenfarbe piping around the collar, and an embroidered Luftwaffe eagle on the right breast. The tunic also features ribbons for the Iron Cross Second Class and Eastern Medal in the top buttonhole, the Iron Cross First Class medal on the left breast pocket, and "Jagdgeschwader Molders" cuff title in black on the right cuff. A brown leather belt with Luftwaffe buckle is also included. Also included with the lot is a post-WWII made Aviator's Sword, 37 1/2 inches overall with a 30 1/2 inch unmarked blade, standard furniture, and scabbard throat inscribed as a gift to Petzscler for a speaking engagement in Michigan in 1999, vintage documents including Petzscler's 1942 dated pilot's license (partially deconstructed for display on a board), glider badge, ID card and a copy of his Ehrenpokal award certificate, pair of Canadian aviation log books for Petzchler, a copy of the book "Day Fighters" by Williams signed by Petzscler and others, a collection of DVD and VHS recordings regarding the Luftwaffe in general and Petzscler in particular, a trifold display board with info on Petzscler's career and kills, framed displays titled "Warming Up", "Mission Aftermath" and "Down Time" featuring art and Petzscler-signed items, an oil painting of Petzchler in uniform, an oil painting titled "The Last Flight" signed by Petzschler, framed signed prints "Ruhr Valley Raiders", "Horrido!" and "Tiger Tracks", 1942 dated tea saucer with "Fl. U.V." markings, and assorted correspondence.

Manufacturer: None

Model: None

Class: Other

  • Condition: The tunic is good, with some tearing of the liner, moth activity, and wear on the eagle. The sword shows minor scuffs and dents, and the vintage documents show wear and tear appropriate to age and mounting. Art items are very good overall. The visual media has not been tested.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Rock Island Auction will contact you shortly after the auction has completed. We will arrange for shipping and or pickup.

Rock Island Auction Company

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000