Ackermann was one of Germany’s best-known thread manufacturers from the nineteenth century onwards. The company became internationally recognised for its Schlüsselgarn (“Key Thread”) trademark, identified by the distinctive crossed keys shown on the wrapper.
€ 95
6 in stock
Ackermann was one of Germany’s best-known thread manufacturers from the nineteenth century onwards. The company became internationally recognised for its Schlüsselgarn (“Key Thread”) trademark, identified by the distinctive crossed keys shown on the wrapper.
The “Schlüsselgarn” name dates back to the nineteenth century and became one of Ackermann’s principal registered trademarks. The crossed keys remained the company’s best-known commercial symbol throughout the pre-war and wartime years.
The original wrapper is printed with:
The specification indicates a nine-fold thread (3×3 construction) with an approximate running length of 10 kilometres per kilogram. On a full 50-gram spool this equates to approximately 500 metres of thread.
The thread is a dark field-grey (Feldgrau) shade suitable for military tailoring.
Original commercial sewing thread of this type was used by civilian tailors, military contractors and clothing workshops for manufacturing and repairing garments. While the wrapper itself does not carry military acceptance marks or Wehrmacht issue markings, thread of this specification was entirely suitable for period German uniform construction and repair.
Collectors restoring original uniforms often seek original German thread rather than modern substitutes because the colour, twist and finish correspond much more closely with wartime manufacture. Original wartime German field-grey thread is also sold today specifically for uniform restoration and display.
This spool remains exceptionally attractive.
The original kraft-paper wrapper survives with:
The thread itself remains tightly wound around the original cardboard core.
The paper wrapper displays only minor age toning and handling marks, while the printing remains exceptionally sharp.
The wrapper records several original factory specifications.
70/3×3
This identifies the thread construction.
70/9 fach
This denotes a nine-fold thread.
50 Gramm
Original spool weight.
Lauflänge je kg etwa 10 km
Approximate running length of 10 kilometres per kilogram, equivalent to roughly 500 metres on this original 50-gram spool.
Overall condition is excellent.
The original wrapper remains complete.
The thread appears unused.
The paper labels remain firmly attached.
There is only light storage wear together with minor age toning expected from an original eighty-year-old textile product.
No obvious restoration is visible.
Small tailoring accessories rarely survive because they were intended to be consumed during everyday use.
Consequently, complete original German thread spools with intact wrappers are becoming increasingly scarce. They provide valuable supporting artefacts for displays of:
Rather than being dramatic militaria pieces, these everyday consumable items help illustrate how German uniforms were actually manufactured and maintained during the period.
The spool displays the characteristics expected of an original period commercial product:
Nothing visible in the photographs immediately suggests modern reproduction.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ackermann’s |
| Trade Name | Schlüsselgarn |
| Type | Sewing thread |
| Colour | Field Grey (dark grey-green) |
| Weight | 50 grams |
| Construction | 70/3×3 |
| Ply | 70/9 fach (nine-fold) |
| Approximate Length | Approximately 500 metres |
| Material | Commercial sewing thread |
| Condition | Original unused spool with wrapper |
| Period | Third Reich era |
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