ocpd71

Hello everyone- The photos below are of a collection of WW2 German insignia and other items sent home from my wife’s grandfather while he was serving in the US Army in WW2. According to family members, who are by now very elderly, the veteran collected these items while serving on occupation duty in Italy at the end of WW2 and sent them home to his mother in Iowa, where they sat in a package in the attic for many years. I don’t collect German militaria, and I only have a very limited knowledge as to what all these items are. I only have the photographs, as the actual items are still in the possession of the veteran’s children. I would be interested to know what exactly these items are, or if they have any significant value. Thanks for any information. -Jeff

At long last I found a Kenya Police hat to go with the “bush jacket” style Kenya Police uniform I have. The hat is marked Hobson and Sons. It is in great condition for its age, however it does not have a Kenya Police insignia on it. Although I have a Kenya Police hat badge, I cannot find any holes in the hat indicating there was a badge affixed previously...I think maybe the hat is unissued. Should I go ahead and punch holes to affix the badge, or leave the hat “as is”? Thanks.

I have some old pre 94 SAP uniforms with different style nameplates. Both are brass colored with the name in blue enamel. One has just the name, while the other has a small pre 94 RSA flag next to the name. Anyone have any information to narrow down the time frames when these different variations were used? Thanks

Thanks for your interest in my uniform pictures. Gordon- the preceding rank in the old BSAP rank structure was Chief Inspector, which had 3 pips as its rank insignia. This would account for 2 extra sets of holes on the shoulder boards, so I think you are right that they are an indication of increase in rank. It's always seemed curious to me -as an American- that officers uniforms from British and other Commonwealth forces use lug-attachments for rank insignia, thereby requiring holes be permanently made in the uniform, rather than pin-on rank insignia, which is interchangeable. Paul- I have some other BSAP uniform items, as well as a few other uniforms from British colonial police forces which I will post some pictures of. Thanks for your interest.

From my collection, a uniform of an officer of Superintendent rank of the Zimbabwe Republic Police. The label in the uniform is mostly faded, but "Salisbury 1974" is still visible. Also, it came with a pair of BSAP shoulder titles and Superintendent rank insignia. I am guessing, therefore, that it's original owner was an officer of the BSAP who stayed on past the transition from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe. The cap is not original to the uniform and was purchased separately. I believe it is correct for the rank and time period, but if anyone has any information to the contrary, I would be glad to know.

Mickey-- Thanks very much for your reply!

I have 2 old South African Police bush jacket style tunics. They are both made of a corduroy type material, and although they appear mostly identical, one is more of a gray- blue in color, while the other is more of a true blue in color. The bluer of the two is also pleated in the back, while the grayer one is not. The bluer tunic has a manufacturer's label with a date of 1983. The grayer tunic does not have any date marking I can find. Does anyone with any knowledge of old South African Police uniforms have any information regarding the significance of the different colors of these otherwise similar uniforms? Thanks very much

Thanks for the replies. Chris: see close up photo of the patch

This sounds like a similar situation as we have in the United States with respect to "badge numbers." The number prominently displayed on an officers badge in most police agencies is usually not the same as the officer's individual identification number assigned when he /she is appointed to the force. The badge number is unique to the badge, which is often reused and reissued over the years, whereas I don't think officers individual identification numbers are ever reused or reissued. Also, the number on the badge can be traced back to the officer, so it is a way for the public to identify an officer by the number on his badge

I am trying to date this Rhodesisn BSAP police uniform. Does anyone have any information about which time period this uniform would have been issued and worn? Thanks.

I have in my collection a BSAP uniform consisting of khaki short sleeve bush jacket and khaki shorts. The uniform has the rank insignia of Superintendant. I would like to assemble the proper headgear to complete the uniform. I have already a BSAP "other ranks" peaked cap (olive green, with blue band and gold BSAP insignia). Would an officer of the rank of Superintendant simply use the same cap with an officers bullion cap device in place of the standard gold metal BSAP device? Of note, the uniform has insignia from the post-UDI period. Interestingly, It also came wih a compete set of ZRP insignia, so I imagine the original owner went through the transition. Now finding a ZRP officers cap device would be a whole other story......... Thanks very much, -Jeff

No markings whatsoever anywhere on the tunic. I have included some close up pictures of the collar and the pockets, as well as pictures of the inside and back of the tunic. Thanks again for any information to help ID this tunic.

Im trying to ID the tunic in the attached photos. It has no labels or markings of any kind, and all insignia and buttons have been removed. It is of a "khaki drill" type material. Im told its a French tropical tunic from WWII. Any information about this uniform will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I recently bought a Soviet "Ushanka" style hat in the blue/gray "fish fur' material. The markings inside the hat appear to indicate the hat is dated 1990. The device the hat came with is a red and gold enameled hammer and sickle in a red star surrounded by a gold wreath. I have no idea if the device is original or not. From pictures I have seen of Soviet soldiers from the late 80's, they seem to be wearing the same hat device, or else a similar device of just the red star without the surrounding wreath. I would like to have the hat in a period correct configuration, but Im confused by the different hat devices. Any input is well appreciated.

Dave - I dont have any expertise on Detroit Police badges, however you should know that it is common for police officers to purchase a "second" or "duplicate" badge on their own, in addition to the badge they are issued by their department. These duplictate badges are of equal quality, or often superior qulauity to the originally issued badge. With these badges it is important to distinguish between reproductions which are pure "fakes", and reproductions which are real police badges, privately purchased by officers.