Langemark

As you probably noted, several SA-Wehrmanschaften buckles, like yours, have a small default on the upper right wing (=viewers right). This was probably the result of a default in the dye. Mark

Hello All, About twenty years ago, the opportunity was offered to me to obtain an unquestionably original enlisted ranks KM-Einheitsfeldm?tze. I didn't buy it just because it then fell out of my collecting theme. But for sure, KM-M43 existed. Before someone asks : no, I unfortunately don't have a picture of it ... Best, Marc

At least this Einheitsfeldm?tze has an original "Qualit?ts Marke" half-moon sweatband ! Nice cap, Mark Fran?ois : yours is very nice too !

I just wanted to show the marking on the reverse of the chinstrap : ?F.L. Bailleul?. I?m not sure about the last letters, but that maker sounds rather French ? However, the cap is perfectly textbook German made. Any thoughts ? Best, Mark

Well Gary, that is even more surprising and interesting ! Marc

error

Better than words or theories, many thanks for posting these interesting straps, Gary. However, I didn?t know about later war examples (with the rounded strap ends like in # 7) all made of black cloth. Very interesting ! Best, Marc

I fully agree, Gary, However, before accepting these straps as unambiguous Waffen-SS Pionier I simply wanted to submit these on the Forum in order to be sure that it was not Heer or Panzer related. Many collectors believe that Waffen-SS straps should have the underside in Feldgrau cloth. This is nearly always the rule on late-war straps, but earlier straps (like this pair) can be encountered made of all black cloth and constructed like the Heer shoulder straps. Best, Mark

Close-up 2 :

Close-up 1 :

I have no doubts about the originality of this nice pair of black shoulder straps with black piping. However, I would like to learn more concerning their precise purpose. Yes, of course, black piping is denoting 'Pionier' ? but this however only on Feldgrau cloth base (as the Panzer Pioneer used their own variation of white/black piping). So ? Construction is mid-war production with silky piping. Cloth is all black wool. Many thanks for your comments. Mark

Maybe, Rick, but as with most items, we unfortunately once more have to content ourselves with conjectures as to why the cap remained unissued... Best, Mark

Yes Gordon, the cap is quite fine and textbook ... but on the other hand (and fortunately for me !), it lacked the desirable 'front wear' patina... most appreciated by our friend Michel ! Mark

Certainly Rick, The buttons are dated ?1939? and ?R.S. & S.?. This gives us an ?average post ?39 time frame? to date the cap. Mark

As with most KM caps, the inside is void of any markings. The picture of the interior gives the impression that the cap is misshapen ? but this is simply the result of being unworn.

Close-up on insignia

As requested by Gordon, here are some pictures of the mint KM junior officer?s cap from the Kassel show. When Michel spotted the cap on the seller?s shelf we both thought it was too nice to be original. At some distance, the shiny mint insignia looked indeed highly suspect. However, under close examination, it rapidly revealed to be an absolutely textbook original cap. Mark

You?re absolutely right Jos. This ?pair? came together and not only they don?t match in construction but also in size : one boot is 27 and the other ? 27 ?. As a collector, I certainly prefer perfectly matching footwear, but I must say that I made an exception as I was somewhat amused to see these mismatching size boots having been worn by the same Luftwaffe soldier. I also like the fact that the original bootlaces are still present ? and matching ! Best, Mark

Back. Oh, don?t you notice something wrong with it ?

Soles

Sorry, Jos, I don't have any interesting or unpublished period picture of LW tropical footwear to post. My modest contribution will only be this far from mint (but nevertheless still in collectible condition) tropical high boots. Best, Mark

Hello Jos, Are you looking for period pictures showing tropical footwear being worn or simply the footwear in collections ? Best, Mark

Thanks for the comments and glad that the pictures reflect the high quality of the cap. I wouldn?t say that I am a ?Luftwaffe headgear collector? but I must admit that, to me, Luftwaffe Schirmm?tzen are utmost attractive. However, as for other caps, it is hard to find ?the perfect cap? with a nice Sattelform. This is particularly true concerning mint white Schirmm?tzen that are often very bulky in appearance and especially if the circular cap spring is still in place, giving the cap an inelegant and stiff ?Soviet-cap? look (my apologies to all Soviet collectors !). I recently posted pictures of the grouping I obtained at the Kassel show. As I then said, it is absolutely true that I had been looking for more than twenty years to find the ultimate blue and white Luftwaffe officer?s caps. Best, Mark

Interior

At the Kassel Show in November 2005 I had been fortunate to find a magnificent Luftwaffe officer?s white summer Schirmm?tze made by ?Erel? in 1939 and obtained through the ?Verkaufsabteilung der Luftwaffe?. Imagine that I had been looking for over twenty years to find such a cap in top condition and shape. Well, four months later, at the Stuttgart Show I found another mint example. This one was manufactured by the other famous ?Clemens Wagner? firm in 1941 and also bears the ?Verkaufsabteilung der Luftwaffe? logo on the sweatshield. Best, Mark