Conveted RZ16/20

[Jan43]

Hi Everybody
if this have been discussed before, please bare over with me, because
I haven´t seen such a discussion anywhere.

David
Like you I´ve been wondering for some time about what the letter K stands for in the Werk. Nr.
of many of the Chutes we see, including my own.
I think I may have worked it out. The letter K may stand for “Konversion” (German for Conversion)
And it, as far as I can see only appear on Harnesses and bags part, and not on chutes and booklets.
Furthermore it seem to appear on labels that have been replaced, and stamped as a single K after
numbers on Labels that haven´t been replaced, and also single stamped after Werk. Nr.numbers on bags.
And this off cause could mean that all the harnesses we see with a K on it in fact are former RZ16s
Or maybe even RZ1s.
My own replaced label with an K after numbers.

Latest Johns replaced label, and "K" stamped after numbers on outer pack
but not on booklet


Another


Next one Label not replaced but K stamped in after numbers




The RZ20 in Kurtz´s book, also have a replaced label with an K on it.

I can see in the RZ20 listing thread, that Bob Sellers have a harness which have a replaced label but without
a “K” stamped after the number, but because it’s a unpacked and only harness and packtray, it could mean that the “K” only was stamped in after the inspectors
packed the chute?? Or this replaced label could also have been replaced for any other reason, other
repair or so, I haven´t worked it all out yet. Just some thoughts opinions are appreciated.


Best regards Jan

[David Fettes]

Jan, some Interesting thoughts there, I cannot remember if my canopy has the K stamped on it or not, and at the moment because it is packed I dont really want to open it up again. However you may be onto a winner

[Jan43]

Hi David
Thanks. You don´t have to unpack your chute to see if there´s a K after
the numbers, my cautiours quess is that there are not, at least that is
what my limited pictures of canopy pics tells me.
It would allthough be interesting if members with chutes with an K on their
Harnesses, would check them closely for alterated stitchwork to find out
if it checks out, an examination like you did with Bob at his house, where you found out that there were more converted harnesses than you first thought.

Best Jan

[David Fettes]

I will go through all of the RZ20 threads on the forum and also on the internet and look at ALL chutes and harnesses. It only takes a few details photos of certain areas for me to be able to spot conversions even without seeing the serial numbers!

I will try and speak to Bob about this but he has been out of collecting now for some time and has sold all of his kit.

Will report back soon

[Jan43]

Hi David
That is just Perfect, it could prove an importent detail discovery.

Best Jan