Why are sleevebands dead?

[Lloyd I.]

The question was "would you rather have an original FJ band, or a whole set up whose entire parts equal the cost of the one band"

Well, then to respond properly to your query, I would rather have the whole setup whose entire parts equal the cost of one band and I can imagine we disagree on that. Good enough for me.

[Eric Queen]

I like, er rather LOVE, those Eric. Are you now going to tell me that they are the latest high end repros.? If so, there indeed is little hope for beginners.

Bands are alive and well with me, in fact my NCO Rgt. 1 is a part of our banner, that's alive in my book

John, both of these bands are 100% original in my opinion. They have been on a German dealers site for over a year. Priced at 1550 and 1950, which I don't think is out of line for near mint, hand embroidered examples. The fact that they are still there is testimate to the fact that most people just don't know what to look for. I certainly would buy them in a heart beat if I didn't have identical examples of both. In fact, the band in this photo came from the same dealer. (buy the piece, not the dealer)

Perhaps a better reference work on para bands needs to be attempted.

Eric

[Gerd W.]

The fact that they are still there is testimate to the fact that most people just don't know what to look for. Perhaps a better reference work on para bands needs to be attempted.Eric

So the band (see below) is only a variant and not what you/we called a textbook hand embroidered one?

[Eric Queen]

So the band (see below) is only a variant and not what you/we called a textbook hand embroidered one?

Gerd, the overall construction and base materials are the same. They both have exactly the same "look". You will see some variances in backing materials, reverse closures, and thread used in boarder stitching. To me, both bands look "the same" but with acceptable variances.

Hope we can get more opinions.

Eric

[Gerd W.]

Sure you´re right Eric! Maybe different makers, but there is somekind of systematics in

EM machine stitched (green thread on the rim)

[Gerd W.]

EM version, machine stitched, period upgraded (IMHO) in a NCO version

[Gerd W.]

interesting is the back in that case, two sorts of thread (green and tan) and the same piece of lining cloth as the EM

[Gerd W.]

back hand embroidered EM (only tan thread)

[Gerd W.]

back (cloth lining and tan thread for the trim) hand embroidered NCO

[Gerd W.]

That was the reason why I had (and have) some doubts about the dealers pieces. If you compare this items Eric, you´ll notice, that there are indeed some differences (at least in the thread of the trim) visible.............

They used 2, the green and the tan, in my (ex) upgraded EM/NCO, but only one, the tan, in each of the regular hand embroidered pieces. Can you tell me why there is a necessity to do this (using green and tan) by a factory new and unworn NCO sleeve like the dealers one????????

[Eric Queen]

That was the reason why I had (and have) some doubts about the dealers pieces. If you compare this items Eric, you´ll notice, that there are indeed some differences (at least in the thread of the trim) visible.............

They used 2, the green and the tan, in my (ex) upgraded EM/NCO, but only one, the tan, in each of the regular hand embroidered pieces. Can you tell me why there is a necessity to do this (using green and tan) by a factory new and unworn NCO sleeve like the dealers one????????

Gerd,

I would have no idea why. Just know it happened. I have seen at least 25 different types of reverse closures on original bands. These were sourced from multiple suppliers over a time span of years. To me, originals have consistant common components with acceptable variances. The variances are acceptable knowing they were sourced from different places.

[Willi Z.]

By far the single reason most said these are dead is that they can't tell good from bad. The next is that they are too expensive. I agreed with my vote on the latter. I do not think cufftitles/sleevebands are particulary rare, I just think they are pushing the envelope on value too far.

I know FJ collectors who had nothing but bad cufftitles in their collections for years. Then Gordan's book came out, and I was also later able to examine about 32 of George Petersen's FJ cufftitles, of which 28 or so went to a friend of mine.

For me trying to figure out good from bad was a challenge, but that is what keeps the blood flowing for me in this hobby. After some effort I feel I am able to know good from bad with a low error rate.

[Eric Queen]

This one's for you John......

[John Hodgin]

Eric, you sure know how to get to me! That is one rare and wonderful photo! And I agree, a better reference on these needs to be done. IMHO those hand embroidered NCO bands are the most handsome. And I also agree that the prices you quoted are in line with their rarity. IMO hand embroidered officer's are ultra rare, although members have posted two that I know of. Here is a photo for you, the NCO and officers were worn and removed from uniforms.The EM is un-issued.

[John Hodgin]

Gerd, they didn't care what color the backing material was. Whatever was appropriate and handy was used. Just as jump smocks have pockets made from materials of various weights and colors, just so they were sound and functional.