Thoughts on this M15 feldbluse

[K Bandow]

Gentlemen,

I am considering purchasing this feldbluse and would like your input. The seller states it is private purchase, possibly for a jaeger regiment due to the color being different from feldgrau. It has a standing collar with 2 sets of hooks and eyes, scalloped front pockets, and it has M1910 buttons on the back.
Is this a period piece, post war police, post war army, stahlhelmbund, or a reproduction?

Thank you in advance!

Karl Bandow

[K Bandow]

.

[Chip M]

Well, as you can see it is not an issue piece. It has several features that are different, including the liner, the collar, the buttons, the pocket flaps, etc. Depending on what you are trying to achieve, you might want to save your money for a decent issue example. It would certainly hold or grow its value more than one like this. You would also avoid they types of questions you are asking now if you ever wanted to sell it.

Regards,
Chip

[Paul B]

M1915 Bluse

Hi Karl

Obviously it's your money and your decision, so this is just my opinion...

To me the differences between this piece and an issue M1915 bluse are so great that they might as well be two different things -as Chip says, the collar, lining, pocket style and buttons are all far removed from the kind of bluse a WWI German soldier would have been issued. If you're looking for a tunic to build a WWI German soldier display around, then for my money this isn't the right one.

Tony Schnurr once wisely observed that once a piece has so many questions against it (or so many deviations from the textbook) not only does it end up having to "explain itself" it also becomes a liability if you ever want to sell it on.

Even if the price were right, I'd still stash the money to one side for a better example...I'd much rather buy an item once than buy an inferior piece and then be left trying to find the money again when a much better one inevitably comes up.

I would say hold out for a decent issue piece -be prepared to pay top dollar for a good one, but with patience they do show up on dealers sites like Regimentals in the UK, Collector's Guild in Canada and Advance Guard Militaria in the US.

Good luck in your search, very best regards

Paul.

[Gustaf B]

On the other side of the issue, if you are planning on assembling a manequin, then this might be a good choice, if it is cheap, Hanging equipment on a good quality issue Bluse is not a good idea, as you risk damaging it from oils from the leather, or uneven fading if it is set out for display in the light for an extended time. There is a place for the less than perfect. A correct and good quality example of a M1915 Bluse should not be the basis for a display, it should be displayed on its own.
Best
Gus

[Hoss]

On the other side of the issue, if you are planning on assembling a manequin, then this might be a good choice, if it is cheap, Hanging equipment on a good quality issue Bluse is not a good idea, as you risk damaging it from oils from the leather, or uneven fading if it is set out for display in the light for an extended time. There is a place for the less than perfect. A correct and good quality example of a M1915 Bluse should not be the basis for a display, it should be displayed on its own.
Best
Gus

I agree Gus
If I ever finish making up a mannequin again I,ll use a good repop Tunic and perhaps cover with an original greatcoat. They look awesome with all the equipment on. Original Tunics are becoming way to expensive to be squeezing onto mannequins.

Eric

[PlaceOfBayonets]

Wow never thought about that asspect! OP what do they want for the tunic? Price will tell a lot about what it mighgt be good for.

[klr]

I posted this tunic a few months ago. http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=457256 It was in a good friend collection for the last 10-15 years. He displayed it with all the equipment I reallly don't see any problems from the equipment but now i'm wondering if I should remove the equipment. Kirby

[Chip M]

As Gus says, it's probably not a good idea to leave a display like that up for any period of time. Especially true with a nice Bluse like yours. I only mount my stuff up when I am needing to take some photos and then it all goes back into storage.

I have seen some horrific damage from wool being left out too long. One display I know of that was left undisturbed for years brought a real shock when it was finally taken apart and was found to have had all the wool eaten away underneath the equipment and straps.

Chip

[Gustaf B]

Here is another example of what can happen to a very rare tunic that has been displayed for an extended time, this is in the Royal Belgian Militery Museum, and is a Portugese display that has had the equipment changed, and you can see the ghost of the original equipment in the colour of the tunic.

I thin that your Bluse merits a stand alone display, and that a reproduction or movie studio prop would be best suited for the porpose of a manequin display.
Best
Gus