West German Polizei

[Gordon Craig]

Winter Mantle for Bayerne Landpolizei

Gentlemen,

I finally unpacked this winter mantle after having it for over a year. It dates from 1959 and the sleeve shield is correct for this time period.

Regards,

Gordon

[Gordon Craig]

The label in the coat and a close of the collar tabs. Four silver metal stars for the rank of Bezirkskommisar. After the rank, the stars were gold and the lettering etc. on the arm shield was gold for the next four ranks. This rank system was in place from 1953 until 1963. I am not sure what the stamped BDA. stands for but probably a clothing issue depot.

[Gordon Craig]

The arm badge and the opening at the bottom of the back of the coat. This opening is closed by three plastic buttons.

[Gordon Craig]

Here are some other pictures of this coat from ebay.de. I don't own this one.
It has four rosettes for the rank of Polizei-Hauptmeister in the rank system for 1965-74. Top rank in Mittlerer Dienst.Gehobener Dienst used stars. Green is worn by Bayerne Landpolzie. Same rank insignia existed on blue collar tabs for Stadt Polizei but names of ranks were different. My coat has a slot for the pistol holsetr under the right pocket flap and pictures with this coat showed the same thing.

[Gordon Craig]

A shorter coat with only six buttons as worn by the Bayerische Grenzpolizei. Armbadge worn from 1953 until 1965. Not sure of rank on tabs as it appears to date from system used in 1965-74 but Grenz may have used different system than Landpolizei.

[Klaus1989]

The label in the coat and a close of the collar tabs. Four silver metal stars for the rank of Bezirkskommisar. After the rank, the stars were gold and the lettering etc. on the arm shield was gold for the next four ranks. This rank system was in place from 1953 until 1963. I am not sure what the stamped BDA. stands for but probably a clothing issue depot.

Nice coats, but a few corrections/completions: For first coat, this appear to be 1965 rank for Polizeioberamtmann, which is not highest rank with silver stars (that is Polizeioberamtsrat with 5 star). Before 1965 was still worn to my knowledge sleeve ranks. So this is probably 1950s coat, that was still in service and updated with new rank insignia in mid-1960s. This rank was still worn after 1974 until mid-late 70s, only sleeve patch change 1974 to Landespolizei after Statpolizeien and Landpolizei combined. Not sure, when the rank names were standardised, but probably around same time.

Here are some other pictures of this coat from ebay.de. I don't own this one.
It has four rosettes for the rank of Polizei-Hauptmeister in the rank system for 1965-74. Top rank in Mittlerer Dienst.Gehobener Dienst used stars. Green is worn by Bayerne Landpolzie. Same rank insignia existed on blue collar tabs for Stadt Polizei but names of ranks were different. My coat has a slot for the pistol holsetr under the right pocket flap and pictures with this coat showed the same thing.

Not sure what you mean, that green is for Landpolizei, but if meant collartab edges, that is for mittlerer Dienst ranks and not "branch" specific. Stadtpolizei ranks are same as Landpolizei up to gehobener Dienst, except blue. Only höherer Dienst ranks (gold stars) different - Stadtpolizei had more ranks.

A shorter coat with only six buttons as worn by the Bayerische Grenzpolizei. Armbadge worn from 1953 until 1965. Not sure of rank on tabs as it appears to date from system used in 1965-74 but Grenz may have used different system than Landpolizei.

Grenzpolizei is same as Landpolizei, so the coat would be for a Polizei-Inspektor. This patch was introduced 1953, but worn after 1965 also (at least in 1970s). Not sure, if it is special Grenzpolizei model or only late shortened model for all police services, because it resemble cut of modern Bw Mantel.

Found this link about Bavarian Bereitschaftspolizei recently and it seem appropriate to post here. Very interesting and best reference photos of this subject, that I have yet seen. It is interesting to see, that Bepo had collartabs in similar style to Berlin. They were also poorly equipped compared to some Länder.

https://www.polizei.bayern.de/conten...41020_wefr.pdf

Regards
Klaus

[Guardian 5]

Gents,

This fine portrait of an early (1948) Polizei officer arrived the other day.

I love the youthful exuberance and mixing of civilian and uniform garments.

What other details can be derived from the writing on the back of the photo?

I love this style of German cursive but can't read a word of it!

First, the portrait itself.

Many thanks,
TJ

[Guardian 5]

And now the back.

[comune1aclasse]

Hi TJ,

this is what you read:

" Einem treuen Kamerad Seppi"
" zum ewigen Andenken gewidmet von Kurth"

Translation:

"To Seppi, a loyal comrade"
"Dedicated in everlasting Memory by Kurth"

The Location before the date of 4th of february 1948 Looks to be abbreviated since it seems pointed. You can actually read "Dienh." ... maybe "Dienheim" near Darmstadt?

Cheers,

Alex

[Klaus1989]

TJ,
nice photo! Tunic is Bavarian, rank appear to be for Polizeiwachtmeister of Landpolizei or Grenzpolizei. Bavaria is only Bundesland, that used such model of tunic. He also wear ski boots, which is typical for some Bavarian police units in alpine areas. Sleeve patch was introduced 1946, so not sure, why he not have one.

Regards
Klaus

[Guardian 5]

Alex and Klaus,

Great information!

Thanks very much for the assistance.

All the best,
TJ

[Collectinsteve]

TJ,
nice photo! Tunic is Bavarian, rank appear to be for Polizeiwachtmeister of Landpolizei or Grenzpolizei. Bavaria is only Bundesland, that used such model of tunic. He also wear ski boots, which is typical for some Bavarian police units in alpine areas. Sleeve patch was introduced 1946, so not sure, why he not have one.

Regards
Klaus

Yeah, I don't see S-H having much need for ski boots

We had a discussion about this type of tunic a couple of years ago. The distinctive feature is the very small slanted hand pockets. I think we found a couple of different historical examples in the process. Maybe someone can dig up the thread?

Steve

[chiffonnier]

Today I brought a long coat the same as the one from Gordon in post 436.
The stamp is different however being ; By LP.
It's obvious what those initials stand for but I'm curious what the ones in Gordon's example mean.
All the best,
Kees

[uscob]

A Berlin Police Polo I got last week with printed Logo & writing.

[chiffonnier]

Gentlemen;
I've already posted a Marlon Brando lookalike in this thread,but now I've got De Niro,agree ?
More important is that these men are wearing cotton summer tunics judging by the way the fabric rinkles.
I wonder if any of these are the pepper and salt version ones like in post 311 and 337.
4 button open collar closure.
The photograph measures only 5x5 cm and I can't get it any better.

Kees