Hauptmann

Hi Greg,

Outstanding collection! I've got to say I'm not generally much on Middle Eastern militaria but these are indeed quite nice. I too love that camo one, especially with the light colored helmet. Nice pairing there!

One can really see this has been a labor of love for you and I hope the collection continues to grow.

Thanks for sharing!

Dan

Dan,

The price I quoted was for the tunic and excludes the hat. As far as I know, standard TRAPO pants would work ok with this tunic. You can add pants if you wish but it would not necessarily increase the price of the uniform beyond what the pants cost you. I always like to have shirts and ties with my uniforms but that is not always possible. A side cap would be a part of the regular uniform. If you displayed this tunic with trousers no belt would be worn. If it was displayed with breeches and boots the black belt would be worn.

To me, labels, indicating an unissued uniform, detract from the effect and I would not leave the label on the tunic if I were going to display it. Labels do not add to the price of a tunic. Just the opposite. Most collectors prefer to have uinforms that were issued and look a bit used. Makes them more authentic. With this tunic, as rare as they are, it wouldn't hurt at all to remove the label.

I don't know about adding thread loops. Unless as you say, you remove them later. I have a few uniforms that have thread loops on them but they are very early uniforms and the thread loops were original to the tunic.

Regards,

Gordon

Hi Gordon,

Many thanks for all this great info on these. I deeply appreciate the help.

A few more questions.

How much does the hat add to the value of this piece?

As I only have torso's for display at this time, I take it it would look okay to display it with the black belt once I manage to get one... correct? As it's kind of up to the imagination what sort of pants would be worn in that situation.

Out of the ribbons I currently have which would be the best for display on this tunic?

[attachmentid=54631]

Keep in mind that I have corrected the order and know that some were pictured upside down.

Could a medal bar be worn (say this one) or did they have a dress uniform?

[attachmentid=54630]

Are there any other awards, badges, etc. that would be good to display on this? Here's what I currently have:

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=8727

As I'd stated before, is it best to avoid screwback badges and such due to having to put holes in the tunic? Again I'd not want to do anything that would adversely affect the value.

On the thread loops that's what I'd meant. I could use those to put on pinback awards and then remove the threads if I ever sold the tunic or at the very least state that they were something I added and not original to it so the new owner can decide if they want to keep them on or remove them. And since many of the awards have such small pins I don't think it would hurt to just put those on as is.

As far as the label if as you say it doesn't hurt to remove it then I could do that and keep it in one of the upper pockets so it stays with the tunic. I too prefer them without, or at least with it in the pocket as otherwise I agree that it just doesn't display as well.

Were any kind of aguillettes used on these uniforms assuming they were also used on dress occassions? Again I don't have any refs that go into this on Polizei items so I'm kind of lost to a degree with such things.

On the shirt and tie... would it be a white shirt and black tie? Roughly what would I be looking at price wise to get original Trapo issue on these?

I really want to do justice to this one when I display it so again anything you can tell me would definitely help to do just that.

Many thanks,

Dan

Just in - nice intermediate version.

Hi Bob,

"Very" nice!!!! Would love to have one... but have to wait until I'm through the land of winter heating bills first and back in the balmy spring... at the very least.

Thanks for sharing.

Dan

Dan,

Yes your uniform is from the special unit and is an enlisted mans uniform. The rank is for Wachmeister. This particular tunic is now bringing about five times what you paid for the whole lot.

Cheers,

Gordon

Hi Gordon,

Wow! Many thanks for that additional info. I've got to say... I think it's the "only" piece of DDR militaria I've ever obtained that's actually gone up signficantly in value. Oh, and I take it that's as I have it including the cap, correct?

Are the pants for these just standard TRAPO pants or are they special in some way? And would it be a good idea to add a pair to the set should I ever come across any? Anything else it would be good to add? I'd love to make the most complete set I could. Shirt perhaps... tie... sidecap, etc? And would the belt and buckle be special or a standard black with the rectangular NVA buckle? At least I'm assuming a black belt with this color of uniform. So far I only have the brown double claw officers buckles and the web NVA. I have absolutely no references on DDR police formations so any guidance on this would be deeply appreciated. Methinks I need to get one of those reference discs with tons of books on a CD.

Again I'd also love to dress it up for display but A) due to the original label would that look incorrect to do so? and B) would it in any way affect the value of the tunic to do so? I'd certainly not want to put any awards on it that are screwback... as far as the ribbons or anything pinback I could "carefully" sew in a few thread loops in order to hold such awards... whereby they could easily be removed at a later date and there would be no evidence that anything had been there. I'm thinking that would probably be the way to go with ribbons and such if that sounds good.

Mucho thanks!

Dan

Hauptman,

Sorry, but I should have been clearer in my remarks about collar tab piping. Lets start with your uniforms, the first one you posted, and go from there.

Your first uniform is for the "MdI u. Kompanien der Transportpolizei". This was a special group for rapid deployment for major incidents. They wore the blue piped cloth collar tabs as shown on your uniform. These uniforms are getting much harder to get and have gone up in price considerably lately. It was made in the first quarter of 1980. The flight collar tabs follow air force regs are are silver pipped for officers unpiped for EM.

On the regular TRAPO uniforms, with the metal collar tabs, standard police practice is followed. Enlisted men will have collar tabs with a single strand of twisted fibre in the centre while officers will have a double strand of twisted fibre. The rank on the two officers uniforms are for Unterleutnant and Hauptman.

I'll have to take a closer look at your ribbon bars before I suggest what you could put on what uniform.

Regards,

Gordon

Hi Gordon,

Many thanks for all your help so far. So... do I take it then that mine is indeed an enlisted albeit from that special unit? If so, do you know what rank?

Would be curious to know the value since you say they've gone up. I got these in a large group of DDR uniforms... well, I think six or eight some odd... if that counts as a large group. From what I remember I probably only had like $35 in the entire bunch if that.

If you'd be more comfortable PM'ing the info that would be fine too.

I only wish I had the slacks for this one to make it more complete. Had no idea it was anything special... but definitely appreciate that info. My son likes this one more than just about all the ones I have so I'll have to let him know he has good taste.

Will continue to stay in a holding pattern re: the ribbon bars. And of course if adding such would in any way effect the value of this one in a negative way then I'm happy to leave it as is.

Thanks,

Dan

Paul R and Hauptman,

The piping around the collar tabs was for officers. Very nice to have both an EM and an Officers tunic for the Haubschreiber.

You don't need sleeve chevrons to put a long servcie ribbon bar on a TRAPO uniform. The sleeve chevrons were discontinued some time before the demise of the DDR.

Regards,

Gordon

Hi Gordon,

Okay, I'm a bit confused. Is mine an officers uniform then? And if so, are the shoulder boards incorrect?

And on the following which ribbons do you think would be best to be displayed with this uniform?

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=9177

Mucho thanks!

Dan

Hi Pat,

While I'm no expert I think this looks good. Can't imagine anyone faking such a piece. But then again one never knows anymore. But this one seems to be old, etc. Will have to let some of the more expert members kick in for sure.

I agree with your feeling of not trying to straighten the pin. It would be very tricky to say the least and not worth any potential damage. I mean, it's like with my Blockade stickpin... I merely took it out of it's place in the box and off the pin popped. Age and metal fatigue can do strange things at the most unexpected moments.

And yes, it certainly appears to be the early style. I almost hate to use the term Condor Legion on these as they made bunches and continue to issue them from the start of the war till stocks ran out. There were no golds issued, only one silver and however many black (in too much of a rush right now to run down in the bunker to check the refs). But as we all know tons more are in collections, etc. and that's the reason.

I'm still hoping to add a black and a gold to my FS set and would love all three SP's to go with them. I keep adding to my wound collection over time. Still need an original gold but not in any rush. Hoping to come across one as a sleeper in a junk shop or something someday. For now the copy I have fills the space. and at some point I want to finish off my 57 issues.

Also need to get packets and cases at some point. I used to have on case and several packets... think I have one packet left and that's about it.

Very nice addition there Pat. You ever get tired of it give me a shout!

Dan

Hi Hendrik,

PM sent.

Dan

Well ... another one just created. Designed in 2005, and manufactured in 2006.

9. MERCHANT MARINE - OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL

Hi Darrell,

Really love that one! Makes me wish I was active. But not a whole lotta water up here in North Dakota. Was different in the old days in Florida but those days are looooong gone I'm afraid.

She's a beaut! Love that liner coming over the horizon superimposed over the ships wheel. Very nice design. Great stuff! Thanks for sharing.

Dan

Hello,

end of 1944 some troops of the Leibstandarte came in our area. Maybe some other SS Troops, too. All came back from the Ardennen offensive. The headquarter was only 500 Meter away in a farmbuilding. After war the troops surrendered here. Still are some veterans living here, which could not back to Eastgermany. I think in the trouble of the last wardays the Golden Party badge was threwn away. Many guns, ammo, some decorations ... were found in the woods round our village.

Well, if it was indeed an SS one then perhaps it would show up on one of the Dienstalterlistes. Would be fascinating to find out who it belonged to and know more of it's history.

Thanks so much for posting the pics. Looks great even after all that time in the ground.

Dan

Hi Pat,

Much better! She's in all her glory now.

Dan

Hi Pat,

Missing them already. Glad they're with you as I know you'll give them a good home.

Dan

Hello all,

Just received this beauty from Dan, another new immigrant to Canada and my collection. The gold is even nicer in person and I love this badge. It is funny that this is another Souval, it seems 90% of my stuff comes from old Rudolf Souval. I will post some new scans of this badge, and thanks again Dan for parting with her after all these years, she will be kept in great care!

Cheers,

Pat

Hi Pat,

Glad you like the old girl. She's been one of the highlights of my navy display case for a long time.

Thought I'd mention... might just be the way my colors are set but wondered if perhaps you'd tried any color correction on that scan? The gold is coming across as more of a copper color. Try fiddling with it a bit and you can probably get more of a gold look to come out.

Don't forget to send me some pics of everything in their new cases and displays. Can't wait to see it all.

Enjoy!

Dan

Well each to his own and of course no disrespects intended to anyone. Some medals are just tough to make a call on and pictures as you know do not always do justice. Nothing will ever beat holding and studying the medal.

And with all due respect, nobody is infallible especially when the value of medals is now rocketing up giving fakers more incentive to perfect their work. If its 'easy' to tell a fake now it will only get harder. mark my words!

Jim

Hi Jim,

What you say has much merit. I too see a day coming when Soviet gets as bad as TR got years ago. And it's a great shame. Each and every time we move into a new area and start to really enjoy it the fakers and crooks have to move in and spoil it all. And not sure I have it in me to move on to greener pastures yet again. We invest so much time, money and effort into learning all we can about such things, building up a decent collection and then find it's hard to go any further because everyone becomes scared to death that there are fakes hiding under every bed, to coin a phrase from Battle of the Bulge.

It's gotten to the point long ago with TR that alot of folks are simply scared to death to buy anything because no one seems to agree anymore what is fake and what is real. You can have the best, most legitimate original pieces and you have problems selling it. This is one major reason I got out of TR... it just was not that much fun anymore.

I pray this doesn't happen with Soviet but sadly I see the day looming on the horizon. I guess it's just part of the circle of life or something.

Dan

And the sellers feedback is Private... I wonder why? And all for the low, low price of... 145.00 GBP's ($271.83).

Dan

Hallo,

yes here are 2 fotos. Its a "Bodenfund" (groundfind). Not to nice , but an original one. Even one peace with history.

Very nice. Any information on where it was found and under what conditions, ie: what else was found with it, etc? I tend to lean a bit towards archeology and the methods thereof when something like this is found. I'm hoping in this case notes were made as to where, what else was with it, etc., as this can help to give more history to the item in question.

I think your best bet will be in contacting Robert McDivitt. If you give him the number he'll do a quick check. If he cannot find it he'll let you know and there's no charge... at least that was my experience. However, if he finds it then there is a charge but he'll let you know beforehand. But considering that any such information will likely raise the price of your piece I'd say it's worth it. I had hoped he would found info on mine but he couldn't.

Again hope this helps. Many thanks for posting the pics.

Dan

He should have coated it in lead and mailed it home LOL

Now now... if he'd ever seen Goldfinger he'd have known all you'd have to do it melt it down and fashion it into bodywork for a Rolls Royce Phantom III 37 and off he'd go with no one any the wiser! At least that's the sylish way of doing it.

Dan

Well judging from the hard looks of these "ladies" , I think the foreman is thinking "Why me? All these women and not a looker in the bunch!".

Dan

Ahh yes, the memories it brings back... of all those East German "women" athletes in the Olympic games! What a fine bunch of guys... er... ahem, women they were. Those were certainly the days.

Dan

Hallo Dan,

Ive a party badge marked GES.GESCH. and the member number 90370. Any idea who could be the waerer?

Sorry it's taken me a bit to get back to you on this. Just been incredibly busy. If you can find someone who has a copy of any or all of the available Dienstalterlists which were lists of officers in the SS listing all of their awards, etc., and their SS and Party numbers then you can see if one of the party numbers matches with your badge.

Or you can contact Robert McDivitt at:

http://www.militariaresearch.com/

He does such research for a fee. The details are on his site.

Any chance you can post pics, both front and back of your badge? Would love to see it.

Hope this helps and best of luck in finding out.

Dan

Hello Guys,

Im working in a research about the Fieldmarshals of countrys who fighted or stay in activ list of Army in WW2. That?s the reason of my questions.

Regards

Alexandre

Hi Alexandre,

So, what is the project for? School... or a book or what? Sounds very interesting. Just by my searching last night I can tell it's extremely difficult to find the answers to such simple questions as what such and such a famous individual was awarded throughout his (or her) career.

I for one wish you the best of luck on your project.

Dan

Hi Rob,

"Very" nice! Congrats on a great find. Glad I could help to "inspire" you.

Dan

Hi all,

Let us all pray they haven't improved... at least not by much and that they always continue to make mistakes which will allow us to know them as what they are.

Thanks,

Dan

What? Not --one-- mention of duct tape????? Any fan of the Red Green Show and general handyman type would have found at least one place or use for the stuff on that job...

Les

Hi Les,

I'm ROFL! Trust me when I say... if there's a way to put some duct tape to use... I'll find it. Great to see there's at least one more fan of RG among our members.

Many thanks!

Dan

Hello Gentlemen,

Im looking for decorations of Marshal P?tain

Thx in advance

Regards

Alexandre

Hi Alexandre,

Had some time and been searching on the web... not with a lot of luck I'm afraid. I did find one interesting bit of information though. When the Marshal died on July 23 he was dressed in his Marshal's uniform with only one decoration... the Military Medal.

Here is the article the information was found in and it is a fascinating read:

http://www.marechal-petain.com/versionangl.../prisonnier.htm

Just found another bit of info:

"Marshal P?tain presents himself before the Court wearing a uniform having as its only decoration, the Military Medal given to Generals having commanded on the front against the enemy."

This from:

http://www.marechal-petain.com/versionanglaise/proces.htm

I'll try and keep looking for a bit but hope one of the other members may be able to help on this one.

Just out of curiosity, are you writing a book or just finding out all this info for your own personal interest?

Best of luck!

Dan

Backing:

[attachmentid=53109]

Braid:

[attachmentid=53110]

Hope this is what you needed but if you what other views of this or one of the others please don't hesitate to ask. Will try my best to show whatever you need to see. I'm still learning about the scanner and how to do all this. In fact these are the first blowups I've managed to do.

Dan