W.Unland

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Hello, I started a project on another forum to match artifact police sleeve eagles with period photographs of the same patterns of eagle shown in actual use. I was able to put together a few as shown here. These are presented to help collectors validate eagles in their collections as authentic period used types. Anyone who might have photographs of identifiable eagles in wear is invited to contact me for possible inclusion in this thread. The eagles shown are all examples from my collection. The photographs have been drawn from many sources, and are used with the permission of their owners. Best regards, William Unland

Lastly a photo of the back, showing the typical police construction similar to a traditional "waffenrock". Thanks for taking a look. Regards, William Unland

All of the buttons are removable and secured with "s" pins.

A photo of the interior.

Here is a close up of the added collar.

It is original to the tunic as shown by the lack of additional sewing holes in the fabric.

The sleeve eagle is of a known acceptable pattern on the same speckled material.

Hello, Presented here is an unusual gendarmerie summer tunic in the police "speckled" orange/green cotton fabric. It is unusual in that it has had a brown collar and orange brange piping added over the standard same fabric collar. Oviously the owner wanted to present an appearance more similar to the standard service uniform than a field blouse. These tunics were authorized for all branches of the police, and were not limited to those serving in militarized roles. This particular tunic was undoubtedly used by a civil policeman who wished to maintain a good appearance.

Hello, The cloth behind the badge is NOT faded, and is the dark blue of the top. The badge itself is three piece, and the pieces are held together by split pins not soldered. The "brass" does appear to be gilt, the remainder silver. and the "scrolls" are seperate pieces held on by pins visable from the reverse. [attachmentid=63679] I honestly do not think this badge has ever been off of this cap. Thanks again, Bill Unland

Yes I agree, The green and blue are very handsome together, and look more like policemen than the "military" uniforms adopted by the TR. Regards, Bill U

Dear Paul, The standard Prussian blue police uniform and insignia was worn. No sleeve eagle or other TR insignia. SOMETIMES a breast eagle was worn towards the end of their use.These were very quickly replaced by the standardized police uniforms in 1936, so they were only worn for a few years. Here is a photo that I don't think George will mind my posting. [attachmentid=63559] Regards, Bill Unland

Thanks, The badge is indeed 3 piece construction. Regards, Bill Unland

Here is a view of the top, which has not faded so badly and shows closer to the original color. [attachmentid=63465] And lastly the ribbon attachment. [attachmentid=63466] Anyone that might be able to confirm the identification of this cap is invited to do so. Thank you, William Unland

Hello, I have had this Glengarry since the early 1970's and have just come across it again. I would like to confirm which era it is from. My assumption has always been that it dates from the Victorian era, but these are not my area of interest so any input would be appreciated. The material is a heavy, almost homespun type wool, originally dark blue but faded to gray with natural color areas showing through. The cap badge is 3 piece silver and brass. [attachmentid=63462] The cap badge. [attachmentid=63463] The interior showing that this badge has never been removed. [attachmentid=63464]

Dear Paul, No, the pieces were put together. The brocade is the pre-war model. Later they switched to the SS officer's silver brocade with police buckle. This model with the red and black stripes has always been more attractive to me. Besides, with the strange attraction of anything SS to some collectors I can't afford the 2nd model . The combination of orange, brown, and police green is certainly striking on these uniforms. It's the most attractive civil uniform of the period.....in my predjudiced opinion Regards, Bill Unland

Lastly the "Hannover" maker's stamp. [attachmentid=58554] Regards, Bill Unland

Hello, Here is a representative example of a rural police Gendarmerie officer's service tunic. Shown with the tunic is the first pattern dress brocade belt and officer's dress shoulder cords. It is piped in the orange branch color and the shoulder boards have the "double" underlay colors of brown and orange. [attachmentid=58551] A little bit closer look. [attachmentid=58552] A photo of the bullion officer's eagle. [attachmentid=58553]

Hello, A rarely, but often misidentified police eagle is that intended for use on the police parade saddle blanket. As shown here the eagle is considerably larger than the standard sleeve eagle. Although the head is a bit oddly shaped the embroidery is quite thick and well executed. It is of typical pre-war quality. It exhibits some interesting characteristics not seen on sleeve eagles. This example has evidence of having had zig-zag stitching around the edge pointing towards it's having been removed from an actual blanket. Most blanket eagles have been seen in this triangular "lozenge" shape, although the last photo in this post clearly shows an eagle embroidered on a round background cloth. [attachmentid=58154] All of the known examples of this eagle have been in Schutzpolizei green BUT as there were mounted Gendarmerie it is not unreasonable to expect to find this type of eagle in orange as well. The regulations do not specify color, and the Kotel color plates show a mounted Gendarm with a green eagle, but as the police issued everything else in branch specific colors it is reasonable to assume they did the same in this case. This saddle blanket was to be utilized in "special" circumstances, which is assumed to mean for parades and when guarding dignitaries etc. It is assumed that all were produced pre-war. Here is a photo of a mounted Gendarm showing the placement of this eagle at the rear lower corner of the blanket. This blanket is the "second" model without a false decorative "pocket flap" mounted above the eagle. The light colored boots and cap band suggest the brown worn by Gendarmerie officers, as opposed to the black and darker brown cap band of the Schutzpolizei. The "lighter" blanket eagle may in fact be orange, but in a B&W photo that is speculation on my part. [attachmentid=58155] This photo shows the earlier model blanket with pocket flap. Notice the "darker" less "contrasty" eagle when compared to the above photo. [attachmentid=58158] Regards, William Unland

Here is a couple of photos of the Meiji era caps in wear. [attachmentid=53592] And a later photo of a WW1 era doctor wearing the lower peaked Taisho era cap. [attachmentid=53593] It is unfortunate but most of these relics have NOT survived time gracefully. Most I have seen have been mothed and damaged as these examples. The materials are generally thin and cheap, befitting the low regard held for enlisted soldiers. Officer's grade materials seem to have survived a bit better. Also, regular soldiers were not professional soldiers, they were farmers and tradesmen, and they did not save their uniforms. This stuff was generally disposed of after use, and little has survived, in any condition. Militaria collecting has not been a significant hobby here, so proper care and conservation has been rarely taken. Those that have been found have usually been forgotten about in some storehouse for the last 100 years, and only surface after the moths and mice have "had their way" with the materials. Thanks for looking. Regards, Bill Unland

Side view. [attachmentid=53590] And interior. [attachmentid=53591]

Interior shot. [attachmentid=53588] And lastly a WW1 era cap of the same branch to show the differences between the earlier Meiji era, Prussian-like caps and the more "practical" Taisho era headgear. Lower crown, and large usable brim. [attachmentid=53589]

Next an early Meiji cap, again with very high peak and tiny brim. [attachmentid=53586] Side view. [attachmentid=53587]

A shot of the inside of the sweat band showing the guard's Unit designation. [attachmentid=53584] And the owner's name. [attachmentid=53585]