Bullion Afrika cuff title

[Patrick W]

Well it's taken 20 years but I have finally found what I believe to be a 'one looker' original private purchase officer's version of the Afrika cuff band. 45cm long and unworn with some very light insect tracking to the nap- otherwise mint condition. Hope you like it.

[cobra-2001]

Hi Patrick I like it . The bullion work is nice and tight. Cliff

[Patrick W]

Thanks Cliff, the workmanship on this piece is really high quality. I have seen this same type of double twisted bullion thread used on some Luftwaffe Officers Afrika cuffbands also.
the stitched closed reverse is also typical of period private purchase bullion cuff titles of all branches.

[Tim O'Keefe]

Hi Patrick

Please allow me to disagree. This is a fantasy piece. There is no photographic evidence of this ct in use during the War. The standard Afrika ct w/palms was first worn in mid summer '43, after the defeat in Afrika. So any unofficial version would have to have been made after that. Have seen only one bullion Afrika ct w/palms that was probably from the War in 35 years of collecting ct's. But there was no photographic proof of it having been worn during the War at the time (or yet ?).

Until there is some proof of these being worn during the War we will have to wait....

with kind regards

Tim

[Patrick W]

Hi Tim, of course no problem- each person must form their own opinion. You say that this is a fantasy item but you had seen one you believed to be wartime, surely that is a contradiction?
Period photos are obviously very helpful but many things exist that aren't found in photos yet that we know of. An item must stand on it's own merits also and in my opinion this one does, in terms of construction, materials, and quality.

[Tim O'Keefe]

Hi Tim, of course no problem- each person must form their own opinion. You say that this is a fantasy item but you had seen one you believed to be wartime, surely that is a contradiction?
Period photos are obviously very helpful but many things exist that aren't found in photos yet that we know of. An item must stand on it's own merits also and in my opinion this one does, in terms of construction, materials, and quality.

Hi Patrick

Thanks for the reply and understand your point of view.

When i first looked at these many years before the WAF, was told by many advanced DAK collectors that these are a fantasy piece. Since joining the WAF have searched with Matt & Antonio and others to see about a photo or vet bring back with real solid provenance etc. To date have not seen one, and look forwards too when i do.

The one ct i mentioned looked like it had every chance of being good. But from just a few photos how can one be 100% positive ? If it was worn in the war is also a question ? Perhaps there will be more information available in the future about this interesting ct.

For now would put this type of ct in the same bin as the blue Krete ct ?

stay safe

Tim

[Uncle Kurt]

Hello, Tim,
I totally agree!
in all these years, I've never seen a lame photo.
I know of no estate where this bullion has lain Africa cuff title. You can put it under the Blue Crete and the Bullion Crete cuff title.
Kurt
and..... it looks really good i would have been weak too! ;-)

[RGD51]

Yes, the bin labelled “leap of faith”. Who can say empirically that its good or bad.... nobody. As a collector you either accept it or don’t. If youre willing to believe, the money leaves your wallet and then you spend your time trying to validate it even though you really dont know either.

Robt.