Die struck mould from the Deschler company

Deschler & Sohn was a German medal and insignia manufacturer founded in 1831 in Munich. The company is historically significant for its production of awards during the Third Reich period (1933–1945), including the German Cross and the Iron Cross. Deschler & Sohn was founded in Munich in 1831. During the Third Reich, the company became a prominent supplier of official state awards. It was designated "1" by the Präsidialkanzlei (PKZ) for quality control and traceability purposes. The "Deschler Hoard": Several years ago, a large collection of unissued Third Reich-era medals was discovered in the attic of a former Deschler factory during renovations in Munich. The find, known as the "Deschler Hoard," included items intended for cancelled events, such as the 1940 Reichsparteitag table medal. The traditional Bavarian company was sold in 1997 to the Austrian company Pichl Medaillen GmbH. Deschler & Sohn GmbH. While the original factory was in Munich, the company's German branch is now located in Mittenwald. A sales and showroom also exists in Feldkirchen.
The German company is part of the Pichl Medaillen GmbH group, headquartered in Inzing, Austria. The company continues to operate today, offering services such as stamping, embossing, and electroplating for medals and coins for various occasions.

The German word for a die struck mold or embossing die is Prägestanze. This is the Prägestanze for the Demjans shield.

A die-struck mould (more accurately referred to simply as a die in the manufacturing context) is a specialized, durable tool, typically made of hardened steel, that contains a negative impression of a desired design. It is used in a manufacturing process called die striking (or stamping/forging) to shape solid metal. The Die Striking ProcessIn the die striking process, the die is used in conjunction with a powerful mechanical or hydraulic press. A blank piece of metal (e.g., gold, silver, brass, or iron) is placed between two dies (a master die and a counter die or hub). The dies are then brought together with tremendous force, which compresses the solid metal and forces it to flow into every intricate detail of the die's design.
The pressure actually increases the density and strength of the metal by tightening its molecular structure, resulting in a highly durable and detailed finished product with a crisp, clean appearance.

This item:
Museum-Grade WWII German Demjansk Shield (Demjanskschild) Master Industrial "Prägestanze" Die-Stamp Set – Complete Factory Matching Matrix & Patrix Assembly by Deschler & Sohn (Munich)The Birthplace of Third Reich Awards: The Deschler & Sohn HeritageAAA Militaria is exceptionally proud to unveil an artifact that represents the absolute pinnacle of industrial-archaeological militaria heritage. This is the original, complete, and matching wartime two-piece master embossing die set (Prägestanze) used to physically strike the iconic WWII Demjansk Shield (Demjanskschild).Crucially, this spectacular toolset originates directly from the factory archives of Deschler & Sohn, founded in 1831 in Munich, Bavaria. During the Third Reich era, Deschler & Sohn ascended to become the premier, most trusted supplier of official state awards, earning the highly prestigious Präsidialkanzlei (PKZ) designation number "1" for unparalleled quality control and traceability. While individual combat-worn shields survived the war, the heavy machinery and geharde werktuigstalen dies that birthed them were systematically destroyed under strict Allied post-war demilitarization decrees, or melted down during Germany's reconstruction. For a matching, production-ready master Prägestanze from the legendary Maker "1" to survive intact is an absolute miracle.The Physics of the "Prägestanze" Die-Striking Process. This master die-stamp set is a testament to traditional, computer-free German heavy industrial craftsmanship. It is an original two-piece (master and counter) tooling assembly designed to operate within a powerful mechanical or hydraulic factory press machine.During the wartime production run, a blank piece of solid metal (such as zinc, steel, or cupal) was placed directly between these two dies. When the press came down with tremendous hydraulic force, the solid metal was compressed and forced to flow into every intricate, microscopic detail of the design. This intense pressure actually tightened the molecular structure of the sheet metal, increasing its density and resulting in a highly durable finished combat shield with the characteristic crisp, clean appearance favored by Deschler.The Advanced Technical Anatomy of the SetWeighing in at a monumental 7,176 grams (nearly 8 kilograms / 15.8 lbs) of solid, gehard werktuigstaal and industrial copper/brass alloy, an immense amount of manual labor went into hand-engraving and machine-milling this toolset:The Upper Matrix Die (Matrijs): A massive, thick circular block of gehard staal. The face of this master die features the complete Demjansk Shield design meticulously cut in perfect negative and spiegelbeeld (reverse/mirror-image). When inspected, the letters K-S-N-A-J-M-E-D run flawlessly from right to left, and the historic operational year 1942 is carved completely backward (S491). The definition of the national eagle, the geometric lines of the bunkers, and the crisp layout of the swords remain entirely unmarred by time.The Lower Patrix Counter-Die (Patrijs): The matching counter-hub, executed in a premium brass/copper alloy. This element displays the shield motif in positive, direct-reading, and elevated relief. The letters DEMJANSK and 1942 run perfectly from left to right. When mated together, the matrix and patrix lock into a flawless, micro-tolerance alignment.Industrial Backside Pressure Engineering: The reverse side of the lower brass patrix features an incredible, factory-milled pattern of concentric geometric rings and a diamond-hatched waffle structure. This was a mechanical necessity to evenly distribute the massive kinetic shock of the industrial drop-hammer across the die, preventing the softer alloy from warping or cracking. Additionally, this cross-hatched pattern allowed the patrix to bite firmly into the cast-iron base plate of the Deschler press machine.Typology and Pristine "As-Found" ConditionA close analysis of the bunker layout on the dies reveals the highly desirable "6-Log Variant" (six perfectly formed round logs/palisades at the base of the fortification), celebrated by advanced shield collectors for its superior aesthetic detail.This museum-grade set is presented in its genuine, untouched, and unrestored "as-found" estate condition. It displays a sublime, deep-brown age patina across the tool steel, accompanied by light, completely stable superficial vliegroest that highlights its octogenarian age. Following the post-war fate of the factory, this toolset remained hidden for decades, escaping the famous "Deschler Hoard" attic discoveries to emerge as a definitive centerpiece for the world's most elite private collection or institutional archive. This is your unrepeatable chance to own the literal birthplace of Third Reich history.⚠️ ATTENTION INTERNATIONAL BUYERS!This item is extremely heavy (nearly 8 kg). Due to the specialized packing, handling, and secure shipping requirements necessary for mass-metal artifacts of this weight, please contact AAA Militaria directly for a personalized shipping quote before placing your order!