Harrier

Bringing this old thread back up. Here's what I think is a little bit older copy of the Rommel ribbon bar. The backing is a sheet metal (not brass) which shows some rust inside. The Memel ribbon appears to be a real one and does not glow (neither does anything else). Picked this up at the MAX show last week for the fun of it. VERY cheap!

A beautiful and rare uniform! One of the finest I have seen anywhere!

Great! Please let us know where you will be at the MAX.

I am interested in Vol. 3. Any update on publication?

Harrier

Look here: http://www.germanwarbooty.com/Documents%20...per%20Items.htm

Item S078

My memory is telling me that I saw something like this many years ago in someone else's collection. I believe it is period. Am I correct that it shows (in the remainder of the book) really very few combat awards?

Harrier

Whew! That was close! Thanks!

Don't tell me the reverse of the pin says "Richtofen"...........................??

You have very good taste!

Please tell us who committed this atrocity!

Hi Hendrik,

These do look like the ones that came out the back door. As a matter of fact they even used to sell them in groups of 3. I know several guys that own them.

Regards,

Jody

Jody is, I believe, correct and I also know several who bought sets. The three pictured here have a little age and wear on them now. Originally, the finish was totally matte. These are modern, but original, MOH's.

Best,

Harrier

Are these some of the ones that "came out the back door" of HLP, Inc. 20 years ago? The U.S. Government was VERY upset when that happened. For a very short time, you could buy these at military shows for about $350, but then they disappeared.

It does look like the clover of JG4. The problem is that this photo was taken July-November, 1940, while Galland was still a Major. JG 4 was not formed until a year later. So is this just a "good luck" pin or a predecessor formation badge of a group which later became JG4?

He was certainly attached to JG26, but this pin is not one of their well-known emblems (IMO).

Perhaps JG4 (4 leaf clover) or JG52 (red cross on white background)?

I think Francois is correct! Unfortunately, I can't put my hands on my emblem book, so I can't be sure which one.

Is that a stickpin for the Knights Cross? He doesn't appear to be wearing that decoration in this photo.

Notice the flight pants, which appear to be either British or American.

Jos,

I agree with you. The problem I have is that the one I have came from a vet years ago and I doubt if profit motivation had anything to do with it. Of course, it IS possible that he found a cap with no eagle and put the cogged wheel one on. I have certainly had caps from vets with totally inappropriate eagles, pins, etc. put on them.

Best,

Harrier

Hi,

I am HELPLESS at posting photos here. I will be glad to send them to you for posting or would need someone with the patience of Job to walk me through it!

Harrier

The forestry cap has a distinct possibility to be real. I have a similar cap, but with the winged cockade embroidered on a green background. The Luftwaffe, as a direct result of Goering's conservation measures, controlled large areas of German forest.

The technical cap is also a possibility, although I realize that there is a dispute over whether these emblems were used on caps. To date, I don't believe anyone has ever uncovered a photo of an "officer" of these units wearing a visored cap, so this should not be automatically rejected. I also have in my collection an Erel with this emblem. Of course, it is possible that the vet just pinned it on, but the cap shows no sign of ever having another emblem. I realize that photo evidence exists of the emblem being worn on the breast by workers, but it strikes me a very strange that a badge intended only for breast wear would have pins more appropriate for cap mounting.

Thanks for the extra photos!

The underside of the visor looks so "brand new" that, when coupled with the "tapering off" of the embroidery in a manner usually associated with postwar examples, I am still on the fence. On the positive side. I would be prepared accept all the rest as OK. A real quandry....

Has anyone else seen the embroidery "taper off" like this? It would be very nice to know if this "textbook" area is, in fact, a myth. There are too many myths in this hobby already!

Best,

Harrier

The insignia looks off center, when compared to the bill... Is the crown lose?

The cap top and band should both be removable, so they are probably just out of position.

The insignia certainly looks fine, but I do have some preliminary concerns (which may, in the end, amount to nothing).

The visor embroidery seems to "peter out" at the ends on both sides, which I don't believe is normal. Also, the visor itself appears to have been re-attached, based on the view of the underside, again at the ends on both sides.

What is the interior cap support band made of? Is it treated cardboard or something else? The lining looks a little "short", as well, and does not come as far down on the sides as I am used to seeing.

Again, all these are just initial observations which may be meaningless. Closer photos of the visor and interior would help. Others need to comment.

Best,

Harrier

Is the one in Post #11 a "Watch Officer" pennant? That is, at least, the badge depicted.