Any DAK items

[sonderverband]

The only remaining stamp inside...

[sonderverband]

The tunic is just wonderful. The damage from combat wear tells so many stories!

[sonderverband]

Size stamp and notice... no stitching from the eagle.

[sonderverband]

The eagle. Looks hand sewn to me.

[NZMark]

Nice...The sidecap is both chemically and sun bleached. Lots of character there!
A 1942 dated tunic with hand sewn eagle - not impossible. The wear all seems consistant, the eagle is an early one, too...
I know what you mean about the pm's. Some people think that as soon as you show something on the forum it's up for grabs
Thanks for showing,
Mark

[WalterB]

Whoa, that panzer cap is stunning.

[Asper]

Very nice indeed! A great addition to this thread

Cheers,

Asper

[barry1954]

The Panzer cap is a stunner-not too mention all the other great items already posted on this thread. I agree that the most desireable items are the ones which have been used in the field but given the general rarity of DAK items vs items used in Europe I am not too fussy when looking for items for my collection-used or mint

[jacquesf]

Fantastic set. I am in love with the side cap, true history there. Jacques

[Mark Gibson]

I don't like posting much from my collection but you DAK guys will really enjoy this.

Sonderverband, I can assure you that I have enjoyed seeing your items. Thank you for showing them. The cap could very well be a Carl Halfar. It compares well to my '41 dated example (panzer soutache removed) but I'm sure NZMark would be able to compare and comment as he has a beautiful '40 dated piece with soutache.
The sleeves on your tunic showing different fading isn't uncommon. As vonbond stated, they would have come from a different bolt of fabric which faded more quickly than the rest. Coincidentally, the Ruptured Duck just sold a tropical tunic with a collar that also showed much more fading than the rest of the tunic. It was an interesting piece that sold very quickly so not many would have seen it.

I agree completely that the best DAK items are the used pieces. All of the common sidecaps seen nowadays never actually saw any service so just don't hold any interest for me.

Thanks again.

Mark

[Bond]

This tropenhelm also shows very different colours in its panels and this might also be due to differential fading. It was on ebay but I did'nt buy it, just saved some images.

[afrikasandman]

That faded pz. cap is something else! matt

[NZMark]

Jerry,
Good observation on the twill panels. A late 1942 manufactured tunic. Do I see darts at the shoulder level?
Thanks Mark - I am fairly proud of my 1940 sidecap. I have the soldier's details and it also came from my own home town (after a detour up north, staying with the soldier's relatives!)
Halfar's stamp inks have always proven exceptionally hardy to wear and bleaching...and I note that the numeral is lying sideways on sonderverband's example...
A comparison shot of the two. The dirt/oil marks on the front of mine belong to the Panzer crewman who wore it.
Mark.

[Greg B]

Mark, Excellent side by side comparison showing the differences between a well used example and that of a chemical & sun bleached example.

Interesting also is the chemicals haven't really faded the insignia much more on the bleached one compared to your one Mark. The dyes used on Dak insignia certainly were of a colour fast high quality. The producers of Dak insignia must have made allowances for the Africa fading and sourced the very best in dyes for dyeing the threads.

I personaly would put these early worn side caps almost on Par with there peaked cap equivalents for rarity and disirability.

Greg

[-Ray-]

Another contrasted fabric example to the lower pocket flaps