"GAMA TANK" Panzer tank, D.R.G.M. marking, circa 1938

Name: "GAMA TANK" Panzer tank, D.R.G.M. marking, circa 1938
Brand: GAMA
Price: 890.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

SKU:

€890,00

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The Gallery's Perspective

"There are objects that traverse time while preserving the sound and fury of the era that saw their birth. This mythical miniature Panzer, a survivor of the thirties, is its mechanical witness. Found 'in its original state,' fresh out of a German barn, it has escaped heavy-handed restorations to offer the eyes a raw, authentic patina.

This is no longer a child’s toy: its riveted tin silhouette, its original key ready to awaken its spring-driven motor, and the faded charm of its worn treads give it a charisma and an almost living presence."

Miniature Pre-War Engineering

Manufactured in Fürth, Bavaria, this tank is directly inspired by the lines of the first German Panzers. The name of its manufacturer, GAMA, is a historical acronym formed from the letters of its founder: Georg Adam Mangold. The brand was then the world pinnacle of precision mechanical toys.

Its cannon conceals an ingenious mechanism: connected directly to the motor's gears, it was designed to hold a flint. As the tank set off, the friction would send a stream of sparks out of the barrel, simulating live firing.

On top of the command turret, the pivoting hatch still opens faithfully. Originally, the gears would cause a tank commander to emerge. The absence of this figurine today tells another story: that of the immediate post-war period, when these toys were often 'pacified' by families, stripped of their soldiers to retain only the beauty of the movement.

From Toy Workshop to War Effort

The history of the GAMA firm during the interwar period is inseparable from Germany's industrial destiny. Unlike many toy manufacturers in the Nuremberg region forced into liquidation or "Aryanization" by the regime, the Mangold family, of purely Germanic origin, maintained full control of their factories.

By the late 1930s, alongside the production of its famous tin tanks, the GAMA firm's industrial tool was requisitioned and integrated into the German war effort. Having become an official subcontractor for the Luftwaffe, the Fürth manufacture specialized in high-precision machining and the maintenance of aeronautical spare parts, particularly for the legendary fighters and bombers from the Messerschmitt and Junkers firms.

Owning this Panzer is to touch the expertise of the very same Bavarian workers and machines that were then transitioning from the world of childhood to heavy military production.

The D.R.G.M. Label: An Irrefutable Historical Certification

Indelibly engraved on the front of the bodywork, the initials D.R.G.M. stand for Deutsches Reichsgebrauchsmuster (German Empire Registered Design).

This is a patent and utility model protection system that was used in Germany exclusively between 1891 and 1945. The presence of this official marking, combined with the brand's specific graphic style, confirms a date of manufacture prior to May 1945, effectively excluding post-war West German reproductions or reissues (which bear the mention 'Made in Western Germany' or 'DBP').

The Mechanical Experience: The Thrill of the Spring

The heart of this tank still beats. Insert its vintage key into the tin side, gently turn the winder: the spring motor comes to life instantly with a heavy, cyclical metallic clicking so characteristic of pre-war gears.

A high-end detail greatly appreciated by purists: the command turret is flanked by its original manual "on-off" control lever in perfect condition. It allows the gears to be locked to safely wind the mechanism before departure.

The Indochina latex treads are original. Time and the decades have loosened them, giving them this slack, authentic profile. To see the tank advance proudly on a table today, it asks for a little nudge to get started. An almost poetic ritual of handling that binds the collector to their machine.

Condition

In its original state / Historical patina. The Galerie POPINCOURT has deliberately chosen to leave this piece as it was found. The original lithographed paint shows its wear, small points of surface oxidation, and marks of time that authenticate its eighty years of age. The mechanical motor works perfectly; the side on-off control lever is original and operational. The removable tank commander and the cannon flint are missing.

The Galerie POPINCOURT Verdict

This is exactly the type of object that triggers an instant crush in a display case or catalog. Its dark, matte patina contrasts beautifully with the original white markings. Placed on a desk or on a bookshelf among old books, this Panzer exudes a raw nostalgia. The fact that it has kept its key, its functional on-off lever, its D.R.G.M. marking, and that it carries within it the complex industrial history of the Luftwaffe’s aeronautical effort makes it a major collector's item. An essential pleasure investment for enthusiasts of rare mechanical objects.

Information

Manufacturer: GAMA (Georg Adam Mangold) – Fürth, Germany

Model: Panzer

Inscriptions / Patent: "GAMA TANK" and "D.R.G.M." (Deutsches Reichsgebrauchsmuster) markings engraved under the chassis and on the front

Era: Circa 1935-1938 (Pre-War)

Material: Lithographed tin, original latex treads

Controls: Equipped with its mechanical "on-off" lever on the right side of the turret

Dimensions: Length: 14 cm | Width: 9 cm | Height: 9 cm

Net weight: 254 grams

Accessory: Supplied with its original winding key

Contents of the shipment

"GAMA TANK" Panzer Tank Circa 1938

Certificate of authenticity

The POPINCOURT Gallery's Commitment

The ambiance visuals are creations, carefully designed by GALERIE POPINCOURT to help you envision the object in a particular setting.

Color Rendition: While we capture the true essence of each piece, nuances may vary slightly depending on the scene's lighting and your screen settings.

Accessories & Decoration: Furniture elements, textiles, or decorative objects surrounding the product (vases, books, side tables, etc.) are presentation suggestions. Only the item described in the title and the ad's text is offered for sale.

COA procedures

DIGITAL CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY

A certificate of authenticity accompanies your purchase. No action is required on your part:

Your document in PDF format will be automatically sent to you by email within a maximum of 15 business days, once the delivery of your order has been confirmed by the carrier.
This secure digital format ensures the optimal preservation of your collectible documents.

Note

Lifestyle visuals are creative works, carefully designed by GALERIE POPINCOURT to help you visualize the object in a setting.

Color rendering: Although we capture the true essence of each piece, shades may vary slightly depending on the lighting of the scene and your screen settings.

Accessories & Decoration: The furniture, textiles, or decorative items surrounding the product (vases, books, accent furniture, etc.) are presentation suggestions. Only the object described in the title and the text of the listing is offered for sale.