Sumpftarn Smock Questions

[Oberbootsmann]

Here's a link to more detailed pictures. Scroll all the way to the bottom:

https://www.hotdogandsodacompany.de/...pfbedeckungen/

From the pics you posted it seems to be a homemade stitch together cover. As far as I know such covers were not used even unofficially by BGS members. Even if it happened here and there the chances of finding one with provenance is a tall order. Most likely the cover was made for either the reenacting market or to dupe people into thinking they were getting something from WW2 before cheap repros became available. I'm hoping you didn't pay much for it.

Steve

Hi Steve, thanks again for your response.

The link you've posted regarding BGS headgear shows a helmet cover in Sumpftarn like mine. The German inscription below says that those covers were made from worn out Sumpftarn Jackets by tailors at the BGS uniform cdistribution center.

Btw., I just paid for the Jacket, the cover was a gift.

Regards, Matthias

[Collectinsteve]

Hi Steve, thanks again for your response.

The link you've posted regarding BGS headgear shows a helmet cover in Sumpftarn like mine. The German inscription below says that those covers were made from worn out Sumpftarn Jackets by tailors at the BGS uniform cdistribution center.

Although the two pics you posted aren't as clear as I'd like for an ID, it doesn't look consistent with the GSG-9 covers. The hem is different and there are no signs of reinforced holes. The material for sure is BGS cloth, just not designed for the TiG helmet. Well, by the looks of it anyway! Might be bad angles and it is the real deal.

Btw., I just paid for the Jacket, the cover was a gift.

Then you win either way

Steve

[Oberbootsmann]

Although the two pics you posted aren't as clear as I'd like for an ID, it doesn't look consistent with the GSG-9 covers. The hem is different and there are no signs of reinforced holes. The material for sure is BGS cloth, just not designed for the TiG helmet. Well, by the looks of it anyway! Might be bad angles and it is the real deal.



Then you win either way

Steve

Hi Steve,

I absolutely agree!
As soon as the cover arrives I'll show it with high quality scans.

Regards, Matthias

[Oberbootsmann]

Hello, as promised scans of the Sumpftarn helmet cover which came along with the Berlin Police jacket.

The helmet cover is not a simple stichted-together thing but a tailor made quality work.
The fabrique is quite stiff and smells very old as the jacket does.

I didn't have a BGS helmet but put it on a WWII M42helmet for display. Everything fits perfect and the cover definitely was in wear according to the slightly damaged fabrique and rust stains around the rim of the helmet.

Regards, Matthias

[Oberbootsmann]

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[Collectinsteve]

That's a very well made cover. I can't say who made this cover or why, other than it wasn't for BGS use. BGS did not use covers for their regular WW2 type helmets and the TiG helmet is a totally different beast, with completely different helmet cover.

Your cover was obviously made from genuine 2nd Pattern BGS cloth, the prime candidate donor would be from a shelter quarter. The usual suspect for something like this is reenactors or uninformed collectors back before reproduction covers were plentiful. It was a cheap and easy way for someone to take a $10 shelter quarter and turn it into 10 or more $40 helmet covers.

Steve