West German Polizei

[Klaus1989]

The Landespolizei (LAPO) was West Germany's standard police organisation and was decentralised, each of Bundesländer having its own police force. Originally, LAPO were issued blue-grey uniforms in early 1950s to replace converted TR ones. These became more blue than grey over the years until replaced by familiar green uniforms in mid-late 1970s.

I guess enough of my research, lets see those Polizei uniforms. I will start by posting my 1973-dated Niedersachsen Polizei jacket with rank of Obermeister. It has full lining and even striped sleeve lining - a nice tailored example, with tailor's label "C. Louis Weber, Hannover" (who also made my BGS Mantel!) on right inner pocket. Left interior pocket stamped year and size "1973 50." You do not see these often.

regards
Klaus

[Klaus1989]

Date (1973) and size (50) manufacturer stamps:


Tailor's label (C. Louis Weber, Hannover):

[Gordon Craig]

I'll start with an example of the Blue colour worn by German Police Forces after the war. First, a bit of research to add to what Klaus said. Historically, individual landes were responsible for their own police forces. Under the Third Reich, everything was centrallized so that it was under the direct control of the government. (Read NSDAP here.) Under the occupation of the four powers follwoing the war, the U.S., France and Great Britian didn't want a national police force so returned control of the police to the Landes. The Russians maintaineda centrally controlled police force.
This first hat is a blue winter M43 style hat as worn by the West Berlin Police. The metal Berlin Police cocakde makes it easy to identfy this caps police force.

[Gordon Craig]

A close up of the Berlin police cap badge.

[Gordon Craig]

A side view of this cap. Note the blue piping around the crown and the fake fur on the turn down portion of the cap.

[Gordon Craig]

A view of the interior of the cap. Notice the stamp on top of the cap. "P P Berlin GB". This stands for Polizei Prazidem Berlin. Seems to me I knew the meaning of the GB at one time but can not remember now!

Regards,

Gordon

[Gordon Craig]

This next cap is an early police green cap. Someone has "upgraded" this cap by adding a repro TR Police eagle to the front. I have left it that way for the time being until I can be sure about the correct west german police cap badge to put on it.

A front view of the cap.

[Gordon Craig]

A side view of the cap.

[Gordon Craig]

The interior showing the sweat shield and the makers name.

[Gordon Craig]

This cap is also marked to PP Berlin but this time on the underside of the leather sweatband.

[Gordon Craig]

Next to the PP Berlin stamp, the owner has writen his unit "3/POL BAT 20" 3rd Company Police Battalion 20, his rank and his name.

Regards,

Gordon

[Gerd W.]

The Landespolizei (LAPO) was West Germany's standard police organisation and was decentralised, each of Bundesländer having its own police force. Originally, LAPO were issued blue-grey uniforms in early 1950s to replace converted TR ones. These became more blue than grey over the years until replaced by familiar green uniforms in mid-late 1970s. I guess enough of my research,

It was indeed a bit more complex tought

City Polices and Gendarmerie for the US zones as well, GB zone normaly rural districts and and and..........

Very first uniform style (TR with sleeve band) Niedersachsen, GB zone

[Gerd W.]

Here the second style

Very first blue

[Gerd W.]

Early 50ies started with blue/gray, still without a sleeve patch

[Gerd W.]

Here one of the 3th style I still use to have (since 30 years )