The "Elchschaufel" (moose antler) symbol of Ostpreussen (East Prussia). This symbol is embroidered on shirt as a commemoration of the 700 years of German civilization that existed in Ostpreussen from 1230 until 1945.To see more Ostpreussen items go to my store by clicking on "edsimoneit" directly above this box.................... Promiinantly displayed here are the founding Teutonic Knights of the 13th century and the Elchschaufel (moose antler) emblem of Ostpreussen (East Prussia). ............................ Here you will also see the Coat of Arms of the Hochmeister (Grand Master), the highest leader of the Deutscher Orden (German Order of Teutonic Knights). The Grand Masters were elected leaders who governed the lands of the Teutonic State, encompasing primarily what we call today N/W Poland, Former East Prussia, Latvia, Estonia and parts of Lithuania. The Teutonic State's purpose was to convert Baltic pagans to Christianity and to create a well organized, efficient and powerful military government. The State existed for 300 years, from 1224 until 1525. To put this 300 years into proper perspective: the United States of America has only existed 223 years, from 1789 until 2012........................... The Teutonic State fractured into separate territories after 1525. The Catholic Knights became Lutherans and then secular administrators and landed aristocracy in their various lands. This societal structure continued for 350 years, until 1919, in the territories that became Latvia, Estonia, parts of Poland and parts of Lithuania. .......................... The area of Ostpreussen (East Prussia) was unique because it was retained by the Grand Master, Albrecht von Hohenzollern. His dissolution of the Teutonic State caused the founding of the Duchy of Prussia (and also the Hohernzollern dynasty), which would eventually become the most powerful German State and instrumental in uniting the whole of Germany.