An auction house has defended its sale of Nazi memorabilia due to its historical importance.

McTear’s in Glasgow had a number of items from the Third Reich in its Militaria auction which was held today.

Following criticism of the sale, the company later confirmed it would not include Nazi relics in future sales.

Items going under the hammer included paper bunting bearing the Swastika emblem, an ‘SS type Dress Dagger’ and a set of silverware purportedly owned by high-profile Nazi Herman Goering which said to have been taken from his personal train dining car.

An Iron Cross medal that came with an official button pin from the Nazi party sold for £300.

The SS dagger was sold for £220, the silverware was snapped up for £1,000 and the Nazi bunting for £50.

A spokesman for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: ‘McTear’s should be ashamed. 

‘These items are forever associated with the genocide of six million Jewish men, women and children. 

A 1939 Iron Cross second class with bar and 1933 NSDAP badge were up for sale

Printed swastika flags used as bunting during Hitler's dictatorship in Germany were included in the sale

Printed swastika flags used as bunting during Hitler’s dictatorship in Germany were included in the sale

‘They are in demand by individuals and groups who believe that the failure of the Nazi regime to succeed in that endeavour is something to be lamented and to profit from them is despicable. McTear’s must issue an apology.’

It is not illegal to sell Nazi memorabilia in the UK although it is banned in some countries in Europe such as Germany and Austria.

A spokesperson for McTear’s Auctioneers said: ‘As the only auctioneer in Scotland to run dedicated sales of historic militaria McTear’s has frequently consigned important artefacts from both World Wars.

‘On occasion, our auctions, like many others across the world, include items related to the Third Reich, which are always handled with sensitivity.

‘It is important to note that these historical artefacts provide a tangible link to an important, albeit extremely dark, era in our history that should never be forgotten.’

Other auction houses have dropped sales after they suffered a backlash due to Nazi items being auctioned.

In 2019 a Belfast auction house cancelled the planned sale of similar items due to ‘sensitivities’.

A Luftwaffe dress dagger was also up for auction

A Luftwaffe dress dagger was also up for auction

German dictator Adolf Hitler, pictured here with Reich Marshal Herman Goering, presided over the genocide of millions of Jews

German dictator Adolf Hitler, pictured here with Reich Marshal Herman Goering, presided over the genocide of millions of Jews

Swastika-emblazoned tableware from Nazi Germany was expected to sell for about £20,000 when bidding opened at Bloomfield Auctions but the items, which were reportedly produced for Adolf Hitler’s 50th birthday, were withdrawn following complaints.

In 2021, Lyndhurst Antiques Centre apologised for selling Nazi memorabilia after a complaint from a Jewish family

The shop withdrew the items from sale and said it would not sell similar memorabilia in future.

Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Bonhams, three of the world’s biggest auction houses, refuse to trade items connected to Nazi Germany.

McTear’s have now confirmed they will no longer include Nazi artefacts in any future sales.

A spokesperson for McTear’s Auctioneers said, ‘On occasion, our auctions, like many others across the world, have included a small number of items relating to Nazi Germany, which have always been handled with sensitivity.

‘It is important to note that these historical artefacts provide a tangible link to an important – albeit extremely dark – era in our history that should never be forgotten.

‘That said, we fully understand the sensitivity surrounding the sale of these particular historical items and have now taken the decision to cease the inclusion of Nazi and SS artefacts in future auctions.

‘With regard to the items sold in today’s Militaria sale, McTear’s will receive no income in fees.’

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