Any DAK items

[Greg B]

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[Greg B]

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I had to do one pic of them on my mannaquin although I do display them off.

[barry1954]

Fantastic boots GregThey definately tell a story. Love the mannequin display as well.

Barry

[Greg B]

Thanks Barry, thats what I specificly enjoy about Dak/tropical collecting is the way the gear talks to you due to the climate/conditions and combat ware . Continental gear just doesn't quite grab me the same way but hey different strokes for different folks.

[JKDelCollo]

GREAT pics, Greg and I love the way you display your items. The matting and framing on the award docs is impressive as well. Thanks also for your comments on my cap pics. I love the saltiness of it and I agree the tropical items do "speak" to you more than others. Cheers!

[Greg B]

Thanks Jonathon

Cheers
Greg

[Greg B]

Just walking in the door 5 min's ago are these two rings. The officer grade example with the Dak41 on the face is the more standard type made by the Arabs to sell to troops in Afrika. This ring has a beautifull black patina over it with very fine details and a hallmark that you cant really appreciate untill in hand.

The other I am told is an Italian made EM ring with the most intricate latice work to the side...needless to say I love em!

Many thanks Matt

[Greg B]

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[JKDelCollo]

Great rings, Greg! They will look great in your display case!

[Lou58]

Nice Greg, you done a top job on your'e mannequins mate

Lou

[OSS]

Your boots are great. I think the third pattern are the most aesthetically pleasing and possibly the rarer of the three types (repros excluded). The condition is wonderful as well, nice catch.

[Greg B]

Thanks for the kind comments guys, one thing I've learned along the way in collecting Dak/tropical items is that it takes time and patiance. So when you do finely add things its both satisfying and very rewarding.

To get these boots I had to trade up with a pair of 2nd pattern tall boots I owned which didn't quite tick all the boxes. So when these turned up and they did tick all my boxes I knew then I had to have them . Not the most cost effective way to collect so lesson for me learned is make sure the item ticks all the boxes right from the start. So OSS I really appreciate your comments it takes some of the pain away -

Jonathon, heres a pic of a few other things I have had framed in the same formatt.

Lou, thanks I do try with the mannaquins although after seeing Freds new mannaquin on his thread I think its time to give up.

Greg

[Mark Gibson]

Very nice items Greg and Jonathan.

I just might have to disagree with you on one point OSS, the 3rd pattern boots are the easiest to find of all the patterns and made for the longest period of time (from1941). I would suggest that the most scarce of all Heer tropical tall boots are 2nd patterns which were only produced for a period of months before replacement by the 3rd pattern. They are also most rarely seen in period photographs. The 1st pattern, although numerous in production, were worn for the entire period of the German presence in North Africa and the Mediteranean. They are also very difficult to find these days.

Of course short boots are near on impossible to find in any condition. I for one would love to find a pair of 1st pattern tropical short boots but really don't think that I will ever see any, let alone have the opportunity to add a pair to the collection.

Personally, I prefer 1st pattern boots due to the fact that they were worn from the start.

Mark

[afrikasandman]

Greg,

Enjoy the rings bro, it was hard to trade them but im very pleased with the tunic and can't wait to get home and get a hands on. The boots do look very nice and as long as your happy thats all that matters. I like the boots but can't believe the price they command, its just beyond me. I do enjoy seeing them though, just will probably never own a pair unless I luck out and stumble into a pair for a reasonable sum. Matt

[Greg B]

Exactly right Matt you never know what one might stumble upon at any time . Last year while in Nelson for a year I walked into a second hand shop just at the right time as they were unpacking an estate of a former 26th Battalion NZ Soldier that I was to find out later had fought in the western desert.

In amongst a suit case I spied a pair of binoculars with remnants of tan paint on them. When I first looked at them I actually couldn't tell if they were German or Allied as the paint pretty much concealed the maker and it was very dark in the shop. Looking through them there was no retical so thought they likely prewar but used during the war. Anyway I aquired them for $50.00 and when I got them out of the dark shop I was wrapped to see a lovely pinky orange tone to remnants of the tan paint that remained on the binoulars. Much of the paint has worn back to the leather and infact much of the original black has worn back to a lovely brownish finish. Anyway I later found out that they are infact a German civilian binocular dated around 1916. Most likely given to a son to use while in Afrika and while there he has painted them I guess while painting other items of equipment. Anyway definately one of my favorate pickups.

Greg