Bundesgrenzschutz Clothes Hanger (Bundesgrenzschutz Kleiderbügel)

[Marksharky]

Here is an interesting item that I recently received from a friend and fellow collector in Germany (also a BGS veteran). This is a Bundesgrenzschutz Clothes Hanger (Bundesgrenzschutz Kleiderbügel). The hanger is constructed of what appears to be oak with heavy steel wire fixtures. The hook is plated in a copper looking metal.

The wood is branded with the German Federal Eagle. There is also a wood piece that is threaded onto the metal hook to prevent the uniform from coming in contact with the metal.

From what I understand, these are the hangers that were issued out with uniforms for use in the troopers locker. This hanger was issued in the BGS.

Has anyone seen these hangers before? I would love to hear more about them if you have!

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[uscob]

Yes, I saw them before, but have 2 Corrections on it.
At first it's Beech and not Oak. Oak couldn't be used because if the fabric is wet and has metal on it, it react's with the tannic acid in the oak as the Hanger's aren't painted for cost reasons. The next is, they were used also in the Bundeswehr. There are also other Variations with "BUND", "Bundeseigentum"
and for the BGS with "Eigentum BGS" or maybe Eigentum des BGS". Must see if I find the ones I have somewhere. I think I also have a Variation with BUNDESGRENZSCHUTZ instead of BGS. So through the ages there are several Types to collect.

[Asbjoern]

...and there is a "luxury-version" in a more solid and glossy lacquered version provided by the KKB in Koblenz with private purchased Uniforms.

Jens

[Marksharky]

Thanks for the correction on the wood. It looked "oak'ish", but you are definitely correct on the wood.

I find that I am as fascinated by the "extra" items as I am by the actual uniforms and equipment. I am definitely going to start going through the old BGS archive photos to see if I can spot any of these in the old locker photos.

Now that I am looking, I am hopeful I will find a few more of these to add to my uniforms. Somehow they look better hanging on one of these official hangers!

[uscob]

Thanks for the correction on the wood. It looked "oak'ish", but you are definitely correct on the wood.

I find that I am as fascinated by the "extra" items as I am by the actual uniforms and equipment. I am definitely going to start going through the old BGS archive photos to see if I can spot any of these in the old locker photos.

Now that I am looking, I am hopeful I will find a few more of these to add to my uniforms. Somehow they look better hanging on one of these official hangers!

You're right. When I bought Police Uniforms from several Countries Polices in Germany, I also got the Official Hangers, like Eigentum Polizei Niedersachsen or others. Looks great on the Uniforms.

[Marksharky]

The "official Hangers" must be a European thing. In all my time in the US Coast Guard and US Sheriff's Department and Police Department, I never ran across any official US department hangers.

I have a number of older US civilian wood hangers from the 1940's that have company names on them that I use for my US Uniforms.

The wood guard piece on the hook is something that I have never seen before either. It really makes sense.

[Marksharky]

Since there seems to be quite a number of variations to these wooden hangers, it would be great to see some photos of hangers in various collections.

I'll start it off with a quick picture of my BGS jacket on my hanger ......

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[Asbjoern]

At the weekend I had the chance to take pictures of at least two more variations of BW related cloth hangers ...
The KKB one came with the complete uniform and the original plastic bag once delivered from the Kleiderkasse (KKB - KleiderKasse der Bundeswehr - the organisation NCO and officers could buy their privat purchase custom made stuff...)

Jens