Where this film & the others came from:

The auction below is from one of ten film canisters that came from the estate of an RAF Pilot who was stationed in Berlin right after WWII ended. All of the films were made by the German film company Reichsstelle Fur Den Unterrichtsfilm which was in existence from 1934 to 1944 (as far as I can tell on the internet). Many of the films come with booklets that mention both the dates of filming and release which is from 1930 to 1939. Most were in closed metal canisters and 7 (3 of these have now been sold) have survived with very little damage or odor and 3 are in poor shape and have been seperated from the others. Please note that the actual projections are far better than these poor photos below - my camera's shutter was far too slow in the dark.

Description Of This Film

Titled Anfertigen Eines Axtstieles I (Making an Axe Handle)

Produced by Reichsstelle Fur Den Unterrichtsfilm with Reichsanstalt Fur Film Und Bild, Wissenschaft Und Unterrich (RFDU with RWU) sometime between 1934 and 1944 but most likely in the mid to late 1930s

This is an acetate 16mm b/w silent film with sprocket holes on both sides. The film lasts for about 8 to 9 minutes (projector broke down while I was trying to time it) and is on a period 7" plastic & aluminum reel with the RFDU logo spelled out on it. The film seems to have a nearly complete leader on both ends as well as starting logo, title and ending logo. It shows a man choosing a log from which he cuts four rough blanks with an axe and splitters. He goes to a shed and picks out a blank that has dried and cuts it to the shape of an unfinished axe handle using an axe and bow saw.

I was unable to find a copy of this rare film on the net but that doesn't mean it has not been cataloged by someone. I would certainly be interested in this information if you have it. 

I have not attempted to grade films before but I did get an old Kodak Pageant 16mm Sound Projector with this lot and I was able to run each film from beginning to end. During running this one, like most of them, broke once or twice at a crease or old splice and I scotch-taped it at the inside edges where the Kodak has no sprockets (because it is a sound projector) and continued to run it. The quality of the picture was very good and the film was very interesting (I watched it twice - the third time my projector broke down). The film has very little, if any, odor and is still, mostly, supple. I hope this is a sufficent condition report but if it is not, please email me with specific questions geared to a layman as it is sold as-is, as-found and as an artifact only.

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Thank You!