Bob Coleman

Nice original piece. No doubt as to its authenticity.

I can't say I have ever handles a real one. The workmanship on this piece is what first fooled me also.

I concur with the opinion of my esteemed collegues.

Steve- I got fooled by this flag bearer's patch and picked one up about six years ago. It now rests in my box of mistakes never to be looked at again. As to the BDM diamond, it is original and had a RZM tag on the back at one time. I am sorry if I may have confused you over my comments on the Ges Gesch. I was strictly referring to the flag bearer patch.

Jim- The Ges Gesch mark is not something one would expect to find on a BDM item. I have seen a couple other identical patches to yours in the past few years. Several were sold on Manion's site. It is my understanding that these are reproduction items. An unissued example of HJ/BDM cloth should have a RZM label attached to the item.

This is the arm insignia worn on the left sleeve of the BDM jacket

I do know the armbands are period as I obtained several from vets back in the 60's. As the standard political armband was worn on the uniform, I would presume the eagle format armband was for wear with civilian clothing. I also have never seen a photo of this armband being worn.

My favorite helmet is a pristeen M40 camoflage with rope netting and an elastic band holding it in place. The helmet is name to Oberscharfuhrer Graffing(umlatt over the "a"). He is a possible KIA or wounded as there are some blood stains on the liner. The helmet came home in the duffle bag of an American soldier so most likely he served with one of the SS units that fought on the Western front. As this is an unusal name, would it be possible to find some information on the owner of this helmet? thank you to all in advance.

I do not see any problem with your armband. The braided cloth appears to be a sageo, the cord attached to the scabbard of a non military Japanese sword

Rick- One of his decorations is a Bavarian piece. I forget which one but I believe it is the military merit cross with swords. He also has several 3rd Reich awards. There is a photo of one of the tunics in the political section dealing with a current thread on the stud backed AH GPB.

Thanks Rick. I have also been unable to find anything on him in the directories of political officials.. He was listed on a list of recipients of the AH GPB. Prior to that, I only knew his last name, as it was in the top of his visor cap. Possibly some one out there might have further information on this man. Danke!

I am seeking information and records on an NSDAP political leader, Adolf Kunstmann. Kunstmann carried the rank of Gauberiechsleiter and the position of Gauamtsleiter in Nuremburg. He wsa a veteran of WW I and a recipient of an Adolf Hitler Gold Party Badge on 30 January, 1943. Any information on his decorations and military/political career would be appreciated.

Erich- Your thoughts parallel mine. Although not a large organization, one would think more examples would be found. My thoughts wre most likely this pattern was worn only by officers. Bob

Erich- I have also heard the opinion of there neer being a special dagger for the SA Marine. However, that does not explain the anomoly of the pattern dagger I won. As I mentioned, a black handle, anodized scabbard and possibly, traces of gilt on the nickle silver fittings. it is also an early dagger being a fully refinished Rhom dagger. Many years ago, I also saw a similar dagger in the possesion of a veteran who personally bought the dagger back. Possibly, another one of those puzzlements to which there is no present answer

it seems as though several variations of the SA Marine dagger exist. Many years ago, I veteran purchased a SA marine dagger with a black handle and anodized black scabbard. The majority of the finish of the handle is now worn away. The blade is likely an Eichorn. This was a Rohm dagger that had the total inscription and maker's mark professionally removed. My dagger has nickle silver fittings without any trace of gilding. Bob

A genuine flag should carry a life time warranty of authenticity to the period. To me, a 3-day inspection is just that. Few people would have the contacts to have such a piece authenticated within three days. Who is the seller? What is his reputation? These are all important factors these days when buying something in a field that you have a lack of knowledge. I personally do not care for the construction of the flag. Further, the fakers have learned how to avoid the black light test a long time ago. Bob

I have discovered that Stan's pin was one of the two that came with the tunics in my collection. The tunic in question has a round reinforced hole on the pocket to slip the stud through. The other tunic held a badge, which I own, with the horizontal pin. On that tunic, there is a narrow reinforced slit in the pocket so the badge can be worn flush against the pocket. I am sending photos to Stan this evening and if he wishes, he can post them on this thread. Bob

In my collection I have two tailor made tunics of a Gauleitung Bereichsleiter. When obtained from the veteran's daughter, both had attached 30mm. gold partieabzeichen with the AH. One of the uniforms had the stud style attachment while the other had the horizontal pin. One tunic had a reinforced sewn circle to accept the stud attachement. the other had a reinforce sewn slit to accept the horizontal pin. It seems as though the owner wished to wear the pin mounted flush to his jacket to avoid them tearing off with the wear of standard loops. The grouping was broken up but I have reunited both tunics and the horizontal pin badge together along with a visor cap with embroidered wreath. Unfortunattely, the owner split the set up and the first buyer only took the tunic and the stud atachemnt badge went who somewhere. Maybe, some day I will find it and reunite it with its former tunic. I do know that the badge went to a buyer in Europe through Paul Jarvis. Bob

Robin- A very interesting item. The totenkopf is similar to the design of the one found on the panzer beret. I bought one of these out of the trunk(or boot as known in the UK) of a car 30 years ago. That piece had a very detailed silver wire hand embroidered skull in the form of the pattern found on the visor cap and feldmutze. The man I bought it from told me his uncle picked it up in the vicinity of Salzburg at the end of the war. These are quite unusual war trophies and I seriously doubt that many survived. Nice item! Bob

Taff- Congratulations on encountering a rare and important piece. Several years ago, I was fortunate to obtain a number of items belonging to Emil Maurice, who was Partei Member #38 and SS member #2. Being able to put a face with an object to me is what collecting and coserving is all about.

As I am a new member, I am entering this thread a little late. Your blade is an older blade and likely the cut down front end of a mass produced sword from the 16th century. Due to the condition of the blade, it is quite difficult to further identify the school of swordmakers. The quality of the civilian style fittings and the same or ray skin under the handle is low grade. The tsuba or hand guard is cast iron of 19th century origin. This would indicate to me that this is not a blade of great merit from an artistic standpoint. Many lower end blaqdes were donated to the war effort. The soldier could also have purchased this sword from a dealer in Japan Best regards, Bob