Splittertarn Jacket and an early backpack and some ankle pieces

[michelwijnand]

I was at this oldtimer-car meeting in Germany last Saturday, and then I found an old backpack, I would really like an ID on it since I never saw it before.
I also found some ankle pieces that have matching stamps, all the other ones over there were from separate manufacturers.
I bought the BW Splittertarn jacket from Marktplaats.nl which is an online sale site like Ebay but a bit different

The jacket: http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/j...g?t=1245088859

The backpack and ankle pieces: http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/j...t=SDC10316.jpg

And the backpack markings: http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/j...g?t=1245088851

[Klaus1989]

Rucksack is for Zivilbevölkerungsschutz (ZB), a civil defence organisation that worked with DRK I think. There is not much information about them. They wore grey uniforms with ZB patch. Looks like it is dated 1969. Tan mess kits and canteens appear for them occasionally.

Of course the splittertarn jacket is standard 1950s Bw field uniform for Bodentruppen (Luftlandetruppen have different version). The canvas "ankle pieces" or "Gemaschen" in German: These were issued in late 1950s-60s with ankle boots, which were less common to wear as Knobelbecher with Heer but more common with Luftwaffesicherungstruppen in photos it seems.

regards
Klaus

[michelwijnand]

Thanks for a quick answer on the backpack, I honestly had no idea what is was It was only 7 Euros so I just took it
The Gamaschen were 5, and the jacket costed me 45.
I see you collect BGS, I also bought a 3rd pattern BGS sumpftarn jacket for 15 Euros that I didn't mention in the first post, because I haven't got a picture of it yet.

Michel Wijnand

[Klaus1989]

Good prices, especially for the jacket! I have 3rd model BGS jacket too but it is very worn and needs repairs before I post photos of it.

regards
Klaus

[michelwijnand]

Thanks, I thought they were good prices too, I also bought 3 (!!) Amöbentarn shelterhalf-made helmet covers for 5 euro a piece, and a riveted 60's canvas Y-strap and a 1962 mittelgrosse kampfrucksack/brotbeutel. I intend to make a few photos tomorrow when I am in my "storage" again.

Almost everything german that I bought was from the same person, he had mad low prices for everything, I also bought a british 1953 paratrooper mid parka for 20, british olive 1960 model trousers for 10, a DDR ZV jacket for 8 and some things that I forgot.
A friend of mine bought almost a whole 80's BW combat uniform from him for not a whole lot of money

[Bernhard]

Hi Michel ,

Congrats to your findings !
My special interrest is the Bundeswehr Stahlhelm and it`s accessories.
I really would like to see some pics of the helmet covers made from the
amoebia pattern zelt.


Regards

Bernhard

[michelwijnand]

Hi Bernhard, thanks

Here are 2 pictures, I put my other West German steel helmets in the picture too.
I have 2 BGS helmets, 1 with vent holes and one without.
The other 3 are the version with a 2 point chinstrap, the 3 point chinstrap + neckplate and the FJ helmet.
I also have 2 BW Kevlar helmets, 1 with a Flecktarn cover and 1 with a Tropentarn cover.
The 2 Amoeba covers are completely different, they are made so, that they have different sides outward from the seam, and 1 has an elastic band inside the edge and the other one a non-elastic piece of rope.
I also have the Zelt itself inside it's bag/hood laying around somewhere.

outside: http://is.pinkbike.com/photo/3583/pbpic3583434.jpg
inside: http://is.pinkbike.com/photo/3583/pbpic3583431.jpg

Michel Wijnand

[Gordon Craig]

Michel,

Thanks for posting these interesting pictures. There apears to be numbers printed on the Gamaeschen. I would appreciate it if you would post pictures of the numbers on them.

Regards,

Gordon

[michelwijnand]

Gordon,

Here is a photo:
http://is.pinkbike.com/photo/3583/pbpic3583548.jpg

The picture isn't exactly the clearest but my camera doesn't really work well without natural light.
The best visible numbers are 10, but the one on the right also has a vague 16 next to the 10.
Do these numbers mean anything?

Michel Wijnand

[Guardian 5]

Michel - You've got got some great stuff in your collection.

You certainly did very well at the oldtimer car sale. The BW Splittertarn was a steal at that price.

Like you, I have an elasticized Amoebatarn cover on my FJ helmet and a draw string version that I bought separately. These are very difficult to source in the States.

Thanks to you and Klaus, I now have knowledge of the ZB, an organization I wasn't very familiar with.

Attached find a picture of the Gemaschen in use. I thought it was unusual that everyone is wearing marching boots except for that one individual; I wonder why?

In any event, welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing pictures of your collection.

All the best - TJ

[speedytop]

TJ, a nice picture. Some unfinished men!

I think it is a picture during the provision/fitting of the uniforms (Einkleidung).

It might be the period between the metal badges and the cloth collar tabs, and at the time of adoption of the new "Stiefel", to the turn of the year in 1956/1957, or at the beginning of 1957.
It can be that they still had no suitable boots for one soldier. And not enough collar tabs for all the soldiers.

Uwe

[Gordon Craig]

Michel,

I am not sure what the numbers mean. Possibly the Gamaschen came in different sizes?

TJ,

Great picture. The ZB is an area I have always wanted to spend more time studying. Seems to me I might have some information on them at home in Budapest that I will try and dig out once I return.

Regards,

Gordon

[michelwijnand]

TJ, Thanks for the welcome,
here too the covers are difficult to find, sometimes one pops up at ebay.de, and this was the first time I saw it for real, and 3 at that!! The third one I sold to the guy that was with me.
And if it wasn't for Klaus, I wouldn't even know that the ZB existed :P
By the way, I also have a picture that looks a bit transitional, only then in 1970.
One soldier has Gamaschen and Schnurstiefel, one has the riveted Y-straps, two have the watertight Gasmaskentasche and one the other rubber one, and bottom left I can see a wooden G3 stock, so it's a bit of a mix of everything:
http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/j...r.jpg&newest=1

Gordon, maybe the numbers could also be a storage of manufacturers number.

Anyway, here are a few pictures of the 3rd version BGS Jacke, the riveted Y-straps and the Kampfrucksack:
Jacke front: http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/j...7.jpg&newest=1
Jacke back: http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/j...8.jpg&newest=1
Rucksack front: http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/j...4.jpg&newest=1
Rucksack back + Y-straps: http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/j...5.jpg&newest=1
Rucksack inside: http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/j...6.jpg&newest=1

Inside the Ruckack I have put the olive colored shelter half and tent poles which I had lying around.

Michel Wijnand

[speedytop]

Hi Michel,

the first picture is reflected, rifles and clocks are on the wrong side.

It was not unusual, to have such mixtures in rifles, shoes and gas masks.

And it is not 1970, it is 1972 or later.

Uwe

[Klaus1989]

Hi Bernhard, thanks

Here are 2 pictures, I put my other West German steel helmets in the picture too.
I have 2 BGS helmets, 1 with vent holes and one without.
The other 3 are the version with a 2 point chinstrap, the 3 point chinstrap + neckplate and the FJ helmet.
I also have 2 BW Kevlar helmets, 1 with a Flecktarn cover and 1 with a Tropentarn cover.
The 2 Amoeba covers are completely different, they are made so, that they have different sides outward from the seam, and 1 has an elastic band inside the edge and the other one a non-elastic piece of rope.
I also have the Zelt itself inside it's bag/hood laying around somewhere.

outside: http://is.pinkbike.com/photo/3583/pbpic3583434.jpg
inside: http://is.pinkbike.com/photo/3583/pbpic3583431.jpg

Michel Wijnand

Actually, the blue helmet is Westberlin Bereitschaftspolizei. Only dark green helmet is BGS. Nice helmets though!

The tan canteen is ZB and dated 1962 but also marked THW (they used some of same field gear because both were civil defence). The green one is third model BGS canteen (1969 dated) from 1960s-70s for comparison. I also have cap without insignia and breadbag for ZB but they are being sold to Gordon because I no longer collect ZB.



regards
Klaus