Original German WWII WHW Gau Bayreuth Donation Can by Westermann & Co Neheim-Ruhr with Helmet Decal - Dated 1943

Original Item: Only One Available. The WHW, Winterhilfswerk (Winter-help-work), was an annual charitable donation event held by the NS -Volkswohlfahrt (National Socialist - Peoples’-welfare-organization), in which personnel from all of the organizations would solicit donations from the public, and reward contributors with a wide variety of lapel badges or propaganda booklets.

This is a very nice red-painted, sheet metal can, roughly 17cm in overall height, and 10.5cm in diameter. Featuring a hinged lid which is stepped as it ascends, with an angled coin slot to its apex, unto whose surface are the raised serial numbers 38899. To the lid, immediately above its hinge, is a small, circular perforation, with Papier (Paper) embossed to one side of it and Geld (Money) to the other. A handle is riveted to the reverse, beneath the lid’s hinge. This is a later pattern, and is missing the piece to secure the can closed. The mechanism under the coil slot to prevent coins from being shaken out of the can is intact and looks to be functional. The paint is in phenomenal shape and is roughly 85% retained. Interestingly, there is a German helmet decal applied above the Gau Bayreuth, which is so extremely worn that we can’t tell if it’s original or reproduction.

Embossed to the can itself, Gau Bayreuth, was an administrative division of Germany formed by the 19 January 1933 merger of Gaue in Lower Bavaria, Upper Palatinate and Upper Franconia, Bavaria. It was in existence from 1933 to 1945.

The bottom of the can is embossed with the maker’s name; M. Westermann & Co, with G.m.b.H. underneath it, for Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (Company with limited Liability), both arching above WESCO within a diamond, and with Neheim-Ruhr arching beneath that. The embossed number 43 may be seen below the latter location, which indicates 1943 manufacture.

Examples of these cans have become harder and harder to find, especially with so much of the paint retained. Ready to display!