West German Kampfanzug Hoods

[Klaus1989]

Nice to see example of the gloves up close and learn more about them.

I will have to buy a copy of that book. Looks like what I need!

regards
Klaus

[Gordon Craig]

Klaus,

Good luck in looking for a copy of Hormann's book. It was published in 1987 and I have never seen one for sale since I bought mine when they first came out. It is definitely a book worth having though.

Regards,

Gordon

[Hugh Zillmann old]

Gentlemen,

Some years ago (1995, I think) Schiffer produced two small volumes authored by Hormann, one dealing with Infantry uniforms and the other those of the Panzer troops. Both volumes were in English (or translator equivalent) and both had a fairly basic, but interesting, coverage of BW uniforms. They can be quite useful reference sources. If you can find them, they could be worth acquiring.

Also, on the subject of the "gloves", you may notice that I refer to them as "gauntlets". There is a reason for this. A "gauntlet" is, by definition, a glove with an extended cuff which covers part of the forearm of the wearer. A "glove", by contrast, is a generic term used to describe any form of handcovering. This may not seem a big distinction, but it can save you from acquiring an old set of BW "gloves" when what you really want is a set of the gauntlets.

Regards,

Hugh

[Gordon Craig]

Hugh,

I have both the small Hormann books that you mentioned but they are very basic with only 16 pages dedicated to the BW. However, probably much more available than the book I referenced. The two small books are in English and therefore may be more useful to those who do not wish to struggle through a German language book. The BW section in the small books appears to be a translation of a few pages from Hormann's larger volume. The Hormann book I referenced covers all services for the first 30 years of the BW. The later one by Kunswadl covers the first 50 years of all the BW services. I would highly recommend Kunstwadl's book to any BW collector.
As for "gauntlets" versus "gloves", personal preference I guess. Since Hormann doesn't mention the camouflage "handschuh" in his description of the uniform we can not take our clues for what to call them from his nomenclature. He just mentions the jacket, hood, trousers and suspenders. To me, gauntlets have a large section beyond the part that covers the hand and extends over the clothing and not under it. Granted that the camouflage gloves also have an extension beyond the hand covering but this is due more to experience gained during WWII. Gloves that end where the coat starts don't do a good job of keeping the soldier warm. Homann references the WWII experience that impacted the design of the post war splittertarn uniform.

Regards,

Gordon

PS-Hugh, I just reread your post and it looks like I did not more than repeat what you had said. Sorry about that! Gordon

[Klaus1989]

There are pair of Bw Splittertarn gloves on ebay now! Do not know if they same pair as I saw last year or not. Appear to be good condition, dated 1956:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Original-1956-We...3A1%7C294%3A50

[sgtdorango]

Awwww....someone outbid me on the gloves, I couldnt watch the end of the auction and I knew I should have put in a higher bid.....I hope someone here got them!..mike

[chiffonnier]

The pictures from the first 3 posts are not loading on my screen,so I hope this hood isn't one of those.
First time I ever found or seen one of these.
All the best,
Kees

[chiffonnier]

The makers label.
This hood is to small to go over a helmet.

[Collectinsteve]

That is interesting!

This appears to be a hood designed to provide general improved protection to the upper body and head. The only thing I can think of similar to this is what I see naval gunners wearing. I've seen it referred to as "flash protection".

Steve

[chiffonnier]

Thanks Steve for your thoughts.
This hood has no drawstring in it,or cord.
Most of those gunners wearing those you describe have a drawstring in it and when pulled only a small eggshape piece of facial flesh is exposed.
Wearing this hood close to a big gun fired ,I think the air pressure will blow it of someones head.
All the best,
Kees

[uscob]

Here is a side by side comparison of the hood/carriers and Zeltbahnen in question from Switzerland, Belgium and BW:




The Swiss example (dated '61, made by A. Fink) is very similar, but not identical to the German and Belgian versions. However, other than the obvious camo pattern difference, the BW and ABL examples are constructed in exactly the same way. In fact, these two specific units are made by the same German contractor (L. Stromeyer GmbH in Konstanz, which happens to be right on the Swiss border), during the same year (1956), probably using the same raw materials, patterns, and equipment.




I've also noticed that some of the Amoeba hood/carriers have the spring colors on the outside (where the belt loops and closure buttons are located), while others have the fall colors on the outside. Certain examples also have very faint black "branch" overprint (the unit on the right), giving them a much 'lighter' or 'sparser' appearance compared to those with normal overprints.




cheers,
Gene T

Gene,
last week I sorted my Amoeba Camo Tent Bags/Hoods and found that there was no specific Side for the Belt Loops. I have them on the green and on the brown Side. Some of them I sorted are like new condition, some just show a sewn in Name Tag or written in Name.

[uscob]

The pictures from the first 3 posts are not loading on my screen,so I hope this hood isn't one of those.
First time I ever found or seen one of these.
All the best,
Kees

Reminds me of Ladies Cape-Hoods. The Americans had a smaller, similar Model.

[chiffonnier]

Nico that is very well possible.
When I first saw it,I thought it was for a child.
Some home made poncho made from something else.
But all stichings match and although simple it's well constructed.
So a smaller womans head would fit nicely in there.
A butch heavily built woman however would need a larger sized one...
There some impressive specimen out there,you'll know.
All the best,
Kees

[uscob]

In the NSN List it is listed as "Kapuze, Staubschutz" so "Hood, Dust Protective", so maybe also as a protective Garment for men where a very tight fit is needed. There is only one size Listed in the Number Index, the one before is a Stirnband the next are Trousers, Mans.

[chiffonnier]

Nico;
how do you do that?
I've tried every possible way filling the numbers in at the DLA website here;
http://www.logisticsinformationservi...ub_search.aspx
but no results.
Even filled in "hood",but with close to 1200 results without pictures,no good either.
Kees