dblmed

Paul, You are to be congratulated for sharing Part I (to be continued) of your Father's, and Grandfather's military careers! How very proud you must be, even though your father was taken much too soon for you to have really known him, as your would have liked to do. Fate and Destiny are strong forces, beyond our mortal control, which seem to show up at the strangest times in our lives. That you carry on a military tradition, which was totally unknown to you - is surely Fate and Destiny. That you were never informed of this by living relatives, is also Fate and Destiny. I am 100% positive that both your Father and your Grandfather are very proud of you, as the man whom you have become, and the profession which you have chosen. All, due solely to Fate and Destiny. I'm looking very forward to reading Part II! ... Thank for sharing. Congratulations.... Dave/dblmed

Specific details of this very special Urkunde for the award of the TN Gold Pin (Goldene Nothelferzeichen) are shown: ? LEFT: The very attractive hand lettered certificate, Urkunde, features the familiar TN Logo, of the Cog-Wheel surrounding the stylized "TN." (This same TN Logo was continued on the TR flags, banners, sleeve square (until 1937), armbands (the White ones), TN equipment, and even the 1942/43 TN Diamond Raute for the sleeve of the TN-Police uniform.) ? CENTER: The details of the Awarded "Nothelferzeichen in Gold" are prominently featured in RED, on the Urkunde, underlying its importance. ? RIGHT: Each TN Gold Pin (Goldene Nothelferzeichen) Urkunde was apparently hand signed by Otto Lummitzsch, the founder of the TN in 1919 (and the post WWII founder of the THW, Technische Hilfswerke, in the early 1950's). After having lead the TN for 25 years, Lummitzsch was forced to resign his position in the TN in 1934, due to the strict 'racial purity' laws then in force, which determined that his wife was 1/2 Jewish. Hans Weinreich, later also SS Gruppenf?hrer, was designated as his successor, and he served as Chef der TN until 1943. ..... Txs, Dave/dblmed

Here is an example of the special certificate, Urkunde which was awarded at the time of the presentation of the GOLD TeNo/TN PIN. The date of the initial awarding of the Gold TN pin is unknown, but examples are known to have been awarded in 1934, and perhaps later. ..... Txs, Dave / dblmed

You have an exceptionally NICE TN Gold Honor Pin! Your pin looks to have "SILBER" marked at the bottom rim, which is very special & indicates that it is made of Silver (usually .900 quality, or .925 quality), and then there is a 'Gold' color plated over the Silver. This model is almost always found with a solid back, like yours. This model pin was awarded for some special honor by the TN, and it was accompanied by a magnificent hand written and hand decorated Urkunde document as well. It is not rare, but it is definitely 'scarce.' Your pin is identified as being He/H? #9711 b, (Heering-H?sken's Handbuch numbering system, which most European dealers use for the ID of all pins.) The more common TN needle / lapel pin which is found is the 'stamped' metal model of a silver metallic color with the stamped indented back, not a solid back (and rarely with any markings, however a few examples with the .900 have been found.) He/H? Handbuch shows the Gold TN pin as only the 'b' configuration, but I have also seen them in the 'a' configuration. The Gold & Silver colored Pins were primarily pre-TR TN, but they were also awarded after Jan. 30, 1933, so they are also considered to be TR pins. Super example. Below is a copy of the TN Pin's page from my old He/H? Handbuch, which shows us the numbering system. The Handbuch is from the 1980's/early 1990's before color printing was in common use. The picture images are Not too good, but this is still the 'best' TN pin book which collector's have. (Cone also has a nice pin book. Both He/H? and Cone are out of print, and thus hard to find.) (Prices shown are in DM, prior to the Euro.) Webr55, If you EVER get tired of looking at your TN Gold pin, I'd love to have it my collection! Just pop me an email! Txs, Dave/dblmed

Thanks Webr55, That is a very nice listing of the TN Landesf?hrers for our reference! Attached is a photo (LT.) the head of the TN, Chef der TN Hans Weinreich (und also SS Gruppenf?hrer, wearing his SS Uniform) and TN Landesf?hrer Walther Junecke (LG XVII - Wein) - (RT.) The photo was taken at during a visit of dignitaries at the ORPO (Order Police) Lager Pohrlitz in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, in 1942 prior to Junecke''s transfer in 1943 to TN Headquarters - the RATN (Reichsamt Technische Nothilfe) as Chef der Stab in Berlin. It is fascinating to be able to link photos to these TN Landesf?hrers. ... (I use a RATN document seal, as my Avatar) ..... Txs, Dave / dblmed

Paul, the prices of TN items is all over the map, depending upon who is the seller (like so much of our TR collecting hobby items!) Collar tabs (patches) sell from $75 - $300 / single Rt. or Lt. tab, in my experience (less when one is lucky enough to find several at a time). I have yet to see a gold, Landesf?hrer & higher tab, for sale in the last 7-8 years, and don't know what price a seller would place on it. TN shoulder boards are also in that wide price range as well. The TN bullion tabs sell for more, as they are even harder to come by. I concentrate on the collecting the TN (and dabble in other TR areas - can't collect it all!) and thus try to stay on top of what is happening TN wise. (But, it is generally a lot of looking for, and very little actual finding.) I was very fortunate and acquired some bullion tabs, which make a nice addition to the collection. They are IX/32 and the bullion is in very good condition, without the oxidation that we sometimes see. IX = Landesgruppe IX/9 32 = Ortsgruppe in a yet unknown city Various authors estimate that there were > 1,500 Ortsgruppen, so the search for the city location is a continuing one. ....... Txs, Dave / dblmed

Paul R, You are absolutely right that TN collar tabs just don't show up that often. I am always on the search for them, and seldom find them! These TN collar tabs (collar patches) are "X/6" which makes them X = Landesgruppe X (Curtze's Landesgruppe, by coincidence!) & 6 = Ortsgruppe located in Kamenz Txs, Dave / dblmed

Hi webr55, That is really great information on TN-Landesf?hrer Gustav Curtze. I have not seen any photos of him before, so thank you! The more that we see, the more that we learn about the Technische Nothilfe. The 1st photo shows Curtze in full dress Landesf?hrer uniform with gold bullion collar tabs and shoulder boards. (I have yet to see an example of these high ranking insignia.) He also wears the ultra rare TN Aguillette (which is reviewed in Saris' recent book on Aguillettes ? sp). His visor has bullion TN eagle and laurel wreath, with a plain banding (which would have also been in gold color.) Since there is no black & gold 'piping' we can conclude that the photo is consistent with the visor specifications of after 1937. His parade medals are quite impressive. A Great photo! The 2nd photo pictures Landesf?hrer Curtze in the field in a different uniform, which has lapel piping, wearing his parade bar, instead of medals. The TN sleeve eagle tells us that this is also a 1937, or later photo. It is interesting to me because he has no left shoulder board - which was changed by 1936 regulations to two boards. (Also the cross strap goes with the earlier single board as well.) So, he is probably in a 'transitional' period of switching over from one unifomr insignia type to the next. He wears the wide TN officer's belt and buckle. The special TN officer buckles were not put into use until 1940, and are seldom seen. Another great photo. Was the photo offering on eBay.De? Any idea who ended up with his collection of photos and documents? Thanks for sharing! Dave / dblmed

Hi nesredep, The TN was also active in Norway, although very little is yet known about their activities. I am informed that there will be a section, with photos, on the TN Norway / Teknisk Nodhjelp in the new book (which I referenced previously). The only Teknisk Nodhjelp item which I have been able to locate thus far is this membership book, which is unfortunately a blank one. If you come across anyTeknisk Nodhjelp items, pop me an email! Txs, Dave / dblmed

TeNo 1933-37 Sleeve Patch - In Wear....in 1934 Photo TeNo Square Sleeve Patch ? from PRIOR to when the TeNo Eagle Patch Existed: From studying Period Photographs, It is my belief that the below shown 2.5 Inch X 2.5 Inch TeNo Cloth Sleeve Patch, is a relatively Scarce Surviving Patch. (WHY? Because I feel certain that it was replaced by the TeNo Sleeve Eagle, and thus was no longer was needed, & was put away or discarded! So, surviving examples are 'Scarce' & are difficult to locate.) Photos show this Patch (which, at 1st glance ?looks? like it was cut out of a TeNo ?White? Arm Band) in wear ? sewn to the LEFT Shoulder area ? in the same spot where the TeNo Eagle Patch will later appear. (See the TeNo Men Marching 1934 Photo Post) Also Photos show this Small Patch in Use / Wear at the Same Time ? as the White TeNo Armband. So, we can conclude that they are contemporary in time ? at least from the onset. (The White TeNo Armband definitely did survive longer ? and it is ?fairly? common for collectors to find). It was my prior belief (which has now been Confirmed by Littlejohn's "Defending the Reich") that this small TeNo Sleeve Patch was the Predecessor of the more familiar Left Sleeve TeNo Eagle Patch. WHEN Did the "Patch to TeNo Eagle Triangle" Change take Place? There is now Confirmation that the TeNo Eagle Triangle Patch was introduced in 1937 - and that the Prior 'TeNo Square' was not to be worn afterwards. It is interesting to follow the transition. Txs, Dave/dblmed

The TN green side cap is worn in this photograph by the TN Vormann who sent home a special horesehoe 'good luck'post card made for him in Frankreich / France (undated). His TN collar patches (tabs) and shoulder board are nicely seen, with the black & silver piping around them. His TN logo buttons (TN inside of a cogwheel) are also visible in the photo. The TN generally used the belt buckle of whatever branch of service to which they might be attached (Heer & Luft for certain and probably ?Kriegs? as well, but no photographic proof has yet been seen, to my knowlege.) If you download and look at his buckle under magnification, it appears to have surrounding "Cogs" and an "N" visible, to my eyes. "IF" this is indeed the case, it would represent the continued use of the short lived TN 1933-34 EM flat buckle, or another TN buckle which has not yet been identified. Txs, Dave / dblmed

? TN Side Caps - Interior ? The side caps were often ink stamped marked with the familiar pre-1933 TN 'logo' device - which was carried over into the TR. The letters "TN" are found inside of a surrounding cog-wheel (of usually 15 cogs) and often the size marking. The letter "T" takes on the shape of the characteristic TN hammer representation, which is found throughout various TN insignia. Different qualities of wool can be observed between the dunkelblau and green TN side caps. Txs, Dave / dblmed

? TN Side Caps ? Side caps worn by the Technische Nothilfe are usually thought of a being the Navy blue / dunkelblau color, and this is the case from 1933 - about 1939. Variations of the blue included several shades; finer material for Officers; and some seldom found 'piping' on the wings or at the crest of the side cap. The TN (destined for service outside of the Reich) gradually phased into wearing the field-grey of the Heer at about this time [1939], and thus field-grey or even green TN side caps are found. A 'standard' dunkelblau TN side cap on the Left, and a green wool TN side cap on the right. Of interest is that the cap TN eagle triangle patch has been found in a number of colors - dunkelblau, medium blue and green. The side cap TN eagle triangle patch is smaller than the sleeve triangle & it is also distinguished by the eagle's head facing to it's Left - the exact opposite of the sleeve eagle. Txs, Dave / dblmed ? TN Side Caps - Exterior ?

This is a page from a 1940 Tailor's magazine regarding the TN Mantel (in wool.) Txs, Dave / dblmed

? TN Officer - 1937 - Photo ? This nice portrait photo shows a TN Officer in 1937, although the photo is undated. (Note - all items are from my collection, as per forum posting rules.) He wears the Pre-1936 single right shoulder board only, and his visor has black & silver cording on the crest (seen faintly on his right side), which was done away with in the 1936 uniform changes. Also the visor's main cording / chin strap was changed to all silver for officers at that time. (Since uniform insignia changes were introduced with a usual gradual change [over a number of months] to the latest requirements, it is not unusal to find photos with this mix of date items.) He has his WWi medals in wear, and most early TN officers seem to have had WWI service experience. Also present on the left sleeve is the TN Reichsschule Arrow patch above the TN Eagle sleeve triangle. The specific TN Eagle sleeve triangle patch was introduced in 1937, so this dates the photo, IMO. A TN logo button can be seen at the black cross strap, and at the right pocket. The left collar patch (tab) places him in several possible rank classifications (Gefolgschaftsf?hrer to Scharf?hrer), which can not be exactly determined without being able to see the single shoulder board. The TN specific visor eagle was introduced in 1935 - first as a Nickel Silver model and later in the more commonly found Aluminum (white metal) which continued in use until 8 May, 1945. The TN specific laurel leaf cockarde was introduced at some time After the TN visor eagle (exact date is unknown, but late 1936 photos show it in wear.) Txs, Dave / dblmed

? TN-Reichsschule Arrow & TN Eagle Sleeve Patch ? Another left shoulder photo of the TN-Reichsschule Arrow (of the same matte silver material, as the shoulder board) and the TN dunkelblau eagle triangle patch with metallic wire construction. (With only one exception, the TN NEVER used Black as an eagle color, and did not use Black as a uniform color, as is often incorrectly referenced. The very dark Navy Blue / Dunkelblau has been mistaken for Black in the past.) You can also nicely see the slip-on aspect of the Kameradschaftf?hrer's shoulder board above. Txs, Dave/dblmed

Hi Paul, You and I had some neat discussions regarding the TN (on another Forum last year.) Glad to see your continued interest in the Technische Nothilfe! ? TN-Kameradschaftf?hrer Shoulder Board ? Here is a photo of the left shoulder area of the mantel showing the TN-Kameradschaftf?hrer's slip-in shoulder board (with TN logo button.) The shoulder board shows wear, which is nice. The top is a of matte silver material and the underside is black cloth. The texture of the 'Cotton Duck' material of which the TN Mantel is constructed is also shown pretty well (to my surprise also). Txs, Dave/dblmed

? TN Collar Tabs (Patches) and Scharf?hrer Shoulder Board ?

? RIGHT & LEFT Side Views ?

? TN Tunic - REVERSE ?

Thank you Rick. I have been very interested in the TN for about 10 years, and have tried to collect items and learn more about the organization. I've had some great luck along the way in acquiring special TN items, and in making TN friends. Yes, Robert Noss does have the most outstanding TeNo / TN Photos of all! He certainly has the rare, the special, and the ususual for sure, and is very generous in sharing them as well. Here is my TN Tunic with VII/35 tabs (collar patches) which I have ID'd as the Ortsgruppe in the town of Prenzlau (35) within the Landesgruppe "VII". (The collecting community will finally have access to a > 800-900 ID'd Ortsgruppen database found in the TN Chapter and Appendix D, with the publication of the new book, "Volume II, Police" from Bender by Hugh Page Taylor and Jack Angolia, to be released by the holidays.) The rank boards are those of a Scharf?hrer (officially 1936-1942, but continued to be used afterwards inside of the Reich.) If there is some interest, I can post some TN photos later as well. Txs, Dave/dblmed ? TN Tunic - FRONT ?

TN Reichsschule Belzig - the TN Officer who wore the Mantel shown in the 1st post would have been a graduate of one of the two schools, at either TN Belzig or TN Dresden (most likely from Belzig, per period references). This colorful period Post Card by the artist D?brich Steglitz features a TN class passing through the arch of the TN Reichsschule at Belzig. Txs, Dave/dblmed

Technische Nothilfe October 1, 1934 made a bit larger! Txs, Dave/dblmed

This photo is one of my favorites and was taken on October 1, 1934. It shows a TN unit with flag marching past a group of dignitaries in Berlin. (October 1 of each year since 1919 was celebrated as the 'birthday' of the Technische Nothilfe. Txs, Dave/dblmed

1923 TN Honor Badge by William F?hner of Pforzheim, with the Issue Number added by hand punch. (It has been substantiated that the TN HB issue number was not the same as the TN man's ID number or his Ausweis number.) ? REVERSE ? Txs, Dave/dblmed