Vets wearing their 57ers!!!

[Sepp45]

Oberstleutnant Erich Lepkowski, from an old Bundeswehr publication.

[Sepp45]

(From left to right) Martin Steglich, ????, Walther Dahl, Günther Hoffmann-Schönborn.

[Sepp45]

Hauptmann Paul-Georg Kleffel

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[Sepp45]

SS-Obergruppenführer Wilhelm Bittrich

[Tony T-S]

I wish the last was in colour. Brittrich's RK answers a question I had about the OLSs and whether the vets ever lengthened the loop to make it sit above the RK as per the TR period.

[Tom B]

I wish the last was in colour. Brittrich's RK answers a question I had about the OLSs and whether the vets ever lengthened the loop to make it sit above the RK as per the TR period.

The fact is no they did not. Some vets modified the loop on the back and some (if they were lucky and still had their originals) wore them. Why the 57's were made this way ????????

[Tom B]

.

Kleffel I knew quite well. I have a set of his 57 Generals collar tabs. Tom

[Sepp45]

Kleffel I knew quite well. I have a set of his 57 Generals collar tabs. Tom

I think I'm gonna make a trip to see that collection of yours and take some photos for the sake of all of us!

[Sepp45]

Unknown KC holder from the Bundesmarine.

[Leroy]

The fact is no they did not. Some vets modified the loop on the back and some (if they were lucky and still had their originals) wore them. Why the 57's were made this way ????????

I have a theory (and that's all it is), that while S&L's wartime Oakleaves were made for commercial sale and actual wear (and a short loop - as with Godet, Juncker and other pieces - worked just fine when there were no swords), their Oakleaves & Swords were meant primarily for shop, museum or exhibit display, not actual wear, and so they didn't normally come with a lengthened loop. On the set belonging to Heinz Baer shown recently in another thread, that loop had been lengthened for wear (and this looks to have been done professionally, either in the factory or by a competent jeweller, as there is no disruption to the finish on the loop). When S&L made pieces postwar, it continued its standard wartime practice, resulting in the swords touching the upper frame of the cross.

[Tom B]

I think I'm gonna make a trip to see that collection of yours and take some photos for the sake of all of us!

Yes, one of these days I might have all the stuff I need to do photos. First I'm gonna need a new computer ! Only thing stopping me is total lack of $$$$$$$

[Sepp45]

PLM holder! I still have no name for him, so if somebody here knows, please share.

[Nigel N]

Great photo of the PLM holder, someone will hopefully know who he is!!
-Nigel

[ODW]

I read Ernst Jünger.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_J%C3%BCnger

[Nigel N]

Well spotted!!
I thought the other neck order he is wearing here was the PLM for arts & science, but as Guy has pointed out, it is actually a similar looking Bavarian award.....thanks Guy!!!!
ERNST_~1.JPG