FAFNIR / GERMANY

 FAFNIR / AACHEN / GERMANY  ( 1908 - 1926 )

“Aachener Stahlwarenfabrik AG” initially manufactured engines for other vehicle manufacturers such as REX SIMPLEX, CITO, and many others. In 1908, they decided to begin manufacturing their own vehicles, which were marketed under the name FAFNIR. The brand name FAFNIR refers to the treasure-guarding dragon slain by Siegfried (also known as Sigurd). In 1926, automobile production was discontinued for economic reasons.

 Here I can present the first FAFNIR emblem, a pure brass emblem, showing the dragon and  bearing the three letters ASA:

three letters: ASA = Aachener Stahlwaren AG

 

Size	c. 8.0 cm
Year	1911- 1914
Estimate

 

 

To my knowledge the first enameled emblem appeared in 1920. Now the letters ASA are missing; instead, the brand name FAFNIR is displayed on it.

 

Size	c. 7.5cm x 4.5 cm
Year	c. 1920 - 1924
Estimate

 

Are you having trouble identifying the  vehicle on the next photo?

For the vehicles built by FAFNIR after World War I, it’s quite simple. They feature a pointed triangle on the side of the hood that serves as a handle. It’s a design feature found on no other manufacturer’s vehicles.

 

Look at the blue circle indicating the unique hood handle 

 

 

 

rare brass hubcap with emblem

 

Size	7.2 cm x 7.2 cm
Year	1925- 1926
Estimate

 

 

Here one of the rare period photos showing the last FAFNIR type 476  with the emblem of the advertisement:

 

photo courtesy: Vorkriegsklassiker.com

In the following photo, you can see a FAFNIR on a promotional tour in Brazil, in 1914, specially fitted with oversized script on the radiator:

Only very few FAFNIR  vehicles have survived. But there was a drawing of a FAFNIR script, which was made by the Swedish boy Gustaf Moeller back in the 1920s. Gustaf lived near the ferry port in Helsingborg / Sweden and drew the emblems of the waiting cars there. What a great hobby that still helps and delights us a hundred years later.

 

For more information about automobiles with FAFNIR engines please click here for REX SIMPLEX or CITO. 

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