Some people collect spoons, other collect patches or post cards; still other people collect beer steins. I don’t know when it began, but somewhere in my childhood I started collecting German Shield Charms for a charm bracelet. These special little charms are all painted with a place name, and then enameled. I fasten mine on to a silver bracelet that I l enjoy wearing, especially when going to German Fests.
New towns, new cities, new places… all were a chance to add a new charm to my arm. Some of the charms were collected by friends and family who gave them to me as gifts, like the 1972 Munich Olympic charm (and I have no idea where the New Zealand charm came from….) Others I bought for myself on childhood trips.
These small enameled charms are shaped like shields. And despite being tiny, only about 1 cm across, they have very detailed artwork on them. I think my favorite will always be Schloss Buldern, since that castle holds a special place in my heart. (My father spent part of his childhood living there on the grounds).
The bracelet was put away into a jewelry box, and then forgotten for a few years. Two years ago I “re-discovered” it, and started wearing my shield bracelet again.
My German Shield Charm Bracelet Holds Memories
Wearing the bracelet is like wearing a memory. Each tag represents a place or a person that I love. Hamburg, Bayern, Siegen, Aachen, Schwartzwald, Wuppertal (and somehow even one from Virginia? clearly an interloper!)
My daughter loves to flip through the charms admiring each one. She rubs the shields between her fingers and asks questions about the places on them. It’s like story time. Last time we were in Germany together, I decided to start a German Shield charm bracelet for my little one (and, of course, buy a few more for myself). At the time, we weren’t able to find them in the shops… (We did find charms for Walking Sticks though!)
Luckily, when we got home, I was able to find them on Online… so we are starting to make her a bracelet of her own.
German Shield Charms for Sale
I don’t see as many of these little charms in my travels as I once did. Luckily, they are available online. Don’t see the one you want… click through to search for more cities and towns!
Vintage Germany Enamel Travel Shield Charms – Sterling Silver Bohn, Mainz Pendant
Choice Vintage 800 Silver Enamel Shield Charm, GermanyRude she is Silver Bracelet Charm Enamel Travel Shield Crest Pendants and Charms Bracelets and Chains 1960s Old JewelleryVintage REU 925 Silver and Enamel Bremerhaven Germany Travel Shield CharmKoblenz Germany Enamel Travel Shield Vintage Silver Bracelet Charm GermanGermany Vintage Silver Bracelet Travel Shield Charm 1960sBayern Vintage Shield CharmLoreley Germany Vintage Silver Charms Enamel Shields for BraceletsOsnabruck Germany Shield CharmGermany Deutschland Shield Charm
For a BIGGER selection, Click –> SHIELD CHARMS
Shield Charm Bracelets
Skip ahead to a perfect collection! These wonderful vintage bracelets are great for Germanfests!
Vintage Sterling Silver Enamel Germany Travel Shield Charm BraceletVintage 835 Silver Enamel Shield Travel Charm Bracelet 38 CharmsVINTAGE Sterling silver and Enamel GERMAN Travel Shield Charm Bracelet – cities in Germany12 Silver & Enamel Shield Charm Travel Bracelet Germany, 800 silverTravel Charm bracelet, Sterling silver with 17 enamel shields, 7″. Fully loaded
I have a bracelet with 20 charms on it that I think you would like. Just wondering where I could find interest from someone looking to purchase my bracelet if you can help me I would appreciate it
how much you gonna sell it friend ?
I made one for my Mother after I made one for me. Probably over 20 years ago. Put on charms for all of the places we had been. I’m updating mine now and boy has the price gone up. When I made them I think most of the charms were $5 each or less. Postage was a lot less too. Now there are $16 and up and of course the postage has quadrupled as well. I just repaired hers, she lost a Florida charm and I had to find another. I’ve also purchased some charms to represent my most recent trip in 2012. Can’t seem to find one for Giengen but I do have a Steiff bear charm so that will have to do.
When I got back to the states in 2012 I did purchase quite a few shields for my walking stick. The stick did not go with me but it will be fun to have all of the places I have traveled represented on it. I suppose I should get around to putting them on as it has been a decade.