Imperial German tool sample with original wax seal from Kaiserin Auguste Viktoria Naval Arsenal

This is a rare Imperial German tool sample, likely a prototype or pattern piece, composed of turned hardwood with a smooth, unfinished surface and classic ergonomic grip shape. Attached to the handle is the original brown paper tag, hand-labeled in German script:

“Probe II. Griff für Schraubenzieher”
("Sample II. Handle for screwdriver")

The tag is dated 28. VII. 1912, firmly placing this item in the pre-World War I era. Most significantly, affixed to the reverse of the tag is an impressively preserved red wax seal, deeply stamped with the imperial crest of the Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial German Navy). The circular legend reads:

“KAISERLICHE MARINE * DOKWERKSTATT”
(“Imperial Navy * Dockyard Workshop”)

This seal confirms that the item was cataloged and approved (or reviewed) within the imperial naval ordnance or dockyard workshop system, likely in Kiel or Wilhelmshaven. The imperial seal features the crowned German eagle and is crisply detailed despite minor age-related cracking to the wax.

The tool itself is modest, suggesting it was submitted for design review, ergonomic testing, or prototype approval—common practice in military arsenals when producing standardized equipment across the empire's technical branches. The accompanying handwritten note and intact wax seal elevate it beyond an ordinary handle, turning it into a documented piece of military-industrial process history from the height of the Kaiserreich's naval buildup.

Condition:
Condition: Excellent for its age. The wooden handle is free from cracks or major chips and retains its original shape with smooth aging. The tag shows natural creasing and browning, with clear and legible ink. The wax seal is fully intact with minor edge flaking and stable internal cracking—remarkable preservation for red sealing wax over 110 years old. The string binding all components is original and undisturbed.

Historical Context:
The Kaiserliche Marine, particularly under Kaiser Wilhelm II, underwent a massive expansion in the early 20th century, competing with Great Britain in what became known as the naval arms race. The naval arsenals and dockyard workshops (Werften and Werkstätten) were responsible not only for shipbuilding but also for producing and approving naval equipment down to small tools, fixtures, and fittings.

This piece likely originates from such an internal quality control or design submission process within a state-run naval workshop. The reference to “Probe II” implies it was one of a series of evaluated prototypes. Items like these were typically destroyed or reused, making survivors with complete seals and documentation exceptionally scarce.

Display Suggestions:
This would be a museum-quality item in a display of Imperial German Navy equipment or dockyard-related tools. It could also complement a broader exhibit of industrial design history, showing early 20th-century military procurement and prototyping practices. Displaying the tag face-forward and the wax seal visible in a shadowbox would best showcase its uniqueness.

Provenance:
From a private European collection of Kaiserliche Marine workshop materials. The authenticity of the wax seal, handwriting, and tag construction is consistent with government-issued sample handling standards circa 1910–1914.