Rank Stars

[Proud Kraut]

@Marc, 19 mm golden stars? A very interesting detail I missed until now.

@Steve, I someway doubt, that the size was changed in 1963, at least for the OD Aufschiebeschlaufen. Maybe somebody has a picture, taken in the late 1960's of the small stars already in use?

Lars

[Marc Sherriff]

I have not done the exercise myself, however I doubt that four 21mm stars and a button would fit correctly on a shoulder strap.

Marc

[FwSchultz]

Hello,
I have a few Army Officerstunics in my collection.

1.) a very dark grey tailors made Tunic for a Panzeraufklärer Hauptmann with small shoulder rankstripes and 17mm Stars -cames from the former Officer off from ebay he told me that the Jacket was tailored for him in 2002 as social Dress because the Gesellschaftsanzug was to boring.

2.) a in 1974 KKB Jacket to a Hauptmann ABC Abwehr with the 21mm Stars

3.) a issued in 1973 Jacket to a Oberleutnant Logistic with 19mm Stars

4.) a LH (former KKB) purchased Hauptmann Panzerlehrbrigade 9 with the large 21mm Stars

And a 2012 pricelist from one of the last Uniformtailors shows
17mm Sterne, geeignet für die schmalen Schulterklappen zum Diensthemd 2,50€
19mm Sterne Matt (entsprechend den dienstlichen) 2,30€
19mm Sterne verchromt 2,60€
21mm Sterne Matt (alte Art) 3,60€
21mm Sterne verchromt 3,90€

(when I get my new digital cam I will post some pictures)


If I take a look I am glad that I am original came from the Marine we only have one size of bars


Cheers
Michael
(FwSchultz)

[Gordon Craig]

Going through some of the spare parts boxes, I thought I could post some additional informations for those who are new in collecting Bw insignia.



Some extra stars and oak leaf wreaths:



As described before the stars can be found in different color and metal variations (non-ferrous-metal or aluminum). Some of the stars and oak leaf wreaths („Metalleichenlaubkränze“) I own, have markings (e.g. OLC - Overhoff & Cie, Lüdenscheid), some have none.
Four different large (21 mm, top row) and four small (17 mm, bottom row) stars beside two NVA stars (far right in yellow frame) for comparison. Note, that all Bw stars have flat, the NVA stars round pins.





Not to forget the oak leaf wreaths. Two different examples of elder variations on the left, two newer ones on the right. In contrast to the stars, massive wreaths can be found. Wreaths can be found with flat and round pins. Top right example (fully aluminum) is what they sell in LHD shops currently.




Please note that the size of the metal wreaths was changed simultaneously to the size of the stars. The difference is about 5 mm.



Not to forget the „Aufschiebeschlaufen“ (slide loops) or rank insignia for the field uniform. Size of cloth stars changed at the same time. Interestingly the size of the loop's cloth wreaths did not change through the years. Even the new black insignia loop's wreath has a maximum width of 50 mm.



Once again, large metal and cloth rank insignia can be seen in use today.

Regards

Lars

Lars,

I'm going through all my rank insignia and sorting it into Heer, Luft and Marine and that made me bring up this old thread. Your comment above about the "new black insignia loop's wreath has a maximum width of 50 mm" made me think about when the black rank insignia was introduced. Do you know? Was black worn by both Heer and Luft?

Regards,

Gordon

[Proud Kraut]

Lars,

I'm going through all my rank insignia and sorting it into Heer, Luft and Marine and that made me bring up this old thread. Your comment above about the "new black insignia loop's wreath has a maximum width of 50 mm" made me think about when the black rank insignia was introduced. Do you know? Was black worn by both Heer and Luft?

Regards,

Gordon

Gordon,

referring to the relevant Wiki Article the black star Aufschiebeschlaufen were approved February, 7th 1996 by presidential order.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rank_in...man_Bundeswehr

I remember indeed having seen the first black star loops in the "mid 90's". Luftwaffe wears similar loops with a pair of black wings beneath the rank insignia.

Lars

[Gordon Craig]

Lars,

Thanks for the link. It is amazingly complete and answers some questions about some slip on shoulder ranks (Aufschiebeschlaufen) that I have that are not covered in any of my reference books.

Regards,

Gordon