Unique Presentation Engraved Fire Axe. Beautiful, deeply etched Fire axe head shows floral motif with crossed axes and fire helmet (on both obverse and reverse). Hilt portion will grade excellent++. Handle shows some wear to the black finish on the shaft. Attached to the obverse top of the wood shaft is a beautiful (what appears to be Sterling silver) ornate plaque which is shaped in a shield design with scrolled edges. Engraved on this plaque is: "Die Stadt Digelstadt H. Eduard Wetzel fur 40 jahrige treu geleisteten Dienste in der freiwilligen Feuerwehr 22. Mai 1927". This basically translates to, "Outstanding service to H. Eduard Wetzel for 40 years true service in the Freiwilligen Fire Department, May 22, 1927". Much of the black finish on the axe handle has worn away. If not for this wear, the axe would grade Near MINT. Superb Imperial presentation Fire axe! Exc./Exc+ (11652) $1,345.