Arms of Gaildorf, Germany
Granted 1930; in use since 1434
Blazon: Gules two pike poles in saltire surmounted by a raft argent
The poles and raft reflect a very old local trade that involved floating wood from the local forests downstream to Schwäbisch Hall, which needed large quantities of firewood to boil down brine for the salt trade.
I rolled my eyes a little bit when I saw these arms at first. Like, none of the typical charges are good enough for you? No bears, trees, any of the classic ordinaries? You have to have the super-specific tools of your super-specific trade? I mean, fine, I guess, but you had better not be trying to make yourself stand out by incorporating something that no one actually remembers anym... oh. These have been in use for over five hundred years. And there’s still a raft festival every year. Oh. Okay. Carry on. What the fuck do I know?