Sergeant 08

Some new made fake buttons....

PS: Compare the eyes!

I'm not sure about the originalty of this tool. I see differences.

Wehrwolf fake buttons are on the market since some years.

Why?

I guess, it can show us some different kinds of Flammenwerfer badges!

In the meantime...

I know a collector, who managed to get this picture.

It could be very interesting for this thread.

I'm thinking pre-war ...................

Look at the construction ...............

EXACTLY like the SS sports runes .....................

I know what you mean.

We need a photo for an final answer again.

Interesting.

Great photo.

But, in my opinion, an SS-TV medic, not a 'drogerist'.

See the guy on the left here, with the SS runes badge ....................... a bona fide Concentration Camp medic.

And see the similarity of badge weave between the runes and skulls insignia ..................... and the uniform white coat dress .....................

Sports runes (and sports skull) on the white coat.

Runes for SS-VT and skulls for SS-TV.

Just like the collars.

In over 40 years, I have seen only 2 examples of these woven skulls ........................

Too rare for swimmers alone ???

I have seen more than 2. I'm still thinking a post war badge.

In my opinion there were details in the other photos, that gave me the impression of a post war photo lot. But I did not save the other photos.

I remember, the photo was sold with others.

The description was a "Drogerist" (a guy who is working in a drugstore).

Have seen a similar photo before...

It was always popular to be a Totenkopfhusar.

More for the theme.

Lego vs. Playmobil.

Good to see that you support Playmobil.

Just for fun!

PS: Not from my collection, but perhaps in the collection of another collector!?

......this thread does have the best compilation of FW skulls anywhere in the world.

That's sure!

That will provide a good comparision between an original and a fake.

I was sure, anybody would post such a comment again.

It was only a question of time.

So ..................... this is a wonderful, original officer's badge.

A wise investment for you, Stefan !!

I'm very happy with it!

PS: I will put it next to the black skull in my collection.

Stefan.

You have a great officer cut-out there ......................

I have always prefered worn items with the "I was there character".

Stefan,

How heavy is the skull, due to the metal thread? Can reducing the patch to more or less its metall part have given it a greater stability? Would otherwise have a heavy skull been "floating" on a larger cloth patch? On other badges (imperial shooting prizes, Freikorps patches...) you usually find or may find a counter-plate that gives the badge stability.

Otherwise, they may have just found it more elegant... Some enlisted men seem to have done it as well.

Gilles

Gilles,

your thoughts are very, very interesting. Thanks!

I think this practical problem could be the origin for wearing cut out skulls without an oval. It is correct, the metal thread gives the skull a very high weight. The skull is compareable to a metall badge. It could be uncomfortable for an uniform wearer to sew it with an oval on the uniform. Without oval officer skulls had a better stability on sleeves. No doubt.

Stefan

PS: Enlisted men did the same. Perhaps really accepted as more elegant way later. I think the most soldiers (who did the same) were NCO's with higher military ranks. I guess they used embroidered officer skulls, too.

Update.

The Flammenwerfer officer skull arrived! It is a fantastic piece of history and has a much better quality than you can see in the already posted pictures. Now I have it my hands and I looked carefully at all details of the skull. I found rests of the thread, which was used to sew the skull on the sleeve. That means my presumption was correct. The skull was directly sewn in this shape on the uniform. It is possible it was made like the Rastatt skull with an field grey oval. But in this case it was cut out from the oval before it was fixed on the sleeve. Why? Different photos show us, that many officers prefered skulls without an oval. Reasons.......Perhaps to make another difference between the officer skull and the skull pattern for enlisted men??? Perhaps a "Modetrend"? Who knows....

'''''''''''''''''''''

Yes, an octopus skull!!!

Seen in net.

The thread was started many years ago.

Don't know if that photo was already posted here before?

Another interesting photo.

Left, skull on sleeve of an officer, a skull on oval, it looks like the dark grey skull pattern for enlisted men.

Right, sleeve of an NCO, looks like the embroidered officer skull without oval.

Officers with and without ovals ................

Correct, both skull types were used.

Stefan

Thank you for showing those items very interesting the badge is gorgeous.

Eric

Yes, it is!

I'm really happy that I could get it.

An Austrian one (if anyone has a badge for sale please let me know)

Paul, not easy to find a nice original Austrian Sturmtrupp badge, but no "mission impossible".