Information on BLACK bevo Postschutz eagle?

[RobertE]

Does anyone know why the Postschutz would have issued a black version of the bevo eagle? It is manufactured like the woven band on a veterans association hat - who would have worn such an eagle? s/f Robert

[RobertE]

The better known green pattern -

[RobertE]

Typical Reverse -

[RobertE]

And the black reverse -

[W.Unland]

Hello,

Looks like someone might have dyed this. Does the color look like it is made up of different color threads or an overall dyed look?

Regards,
Bill Unland

[RobertE]

Thanks for the reply, Bill. I don't have it in hand; it's still inbound in the mail. However, observe the thread lines separating the horizontal wing feather bands - they're sewn or distinguished completely differently thn a green one. It is also missing all of the armpit fletching on the reverse - it's a mirror of the obverse on the green types. I really don't know - but I won't dismiss dyeing for the time being - good suggestion. s/f Robert

[W.Unland]

Hello,

Yes, there do seem to be differences in manufacture. I can't even dream of a use though. "Subdued" black insignia didn't start showing up until Vietnam, tomy knowledge.

Just don't know.

Regards,
Bill Unland

[NickG]

I agree...why have a sub-dued version?...Its been dyed for some reason is my hunch... Here's an interesting photo album that's for sale, covering this obscure unit with the sleeve patch (not sub-dued of course) clearly visible. Great pictures! Nick
http://www.historical-media.com/id1036.htm

[RobertE]

Nick, I'd be happy to go with the dyed theory, except:

- it's not made like a regular Postschutz eagle: no fletching on the reverse wings, eagle head and upper body is shaped differently

- this artificial silk dyes very poorly, and bleed if you put such a piece in water as the (basically plastic) filaments can't absorb or hold the dye.

- the background material is one color, and the eagle is another. Or two shades, I'd say. Typical green ones in bevo silver or off-white wing accents would have shade differences within the eagles body where the original color had been darker green or a lighter color - this thing is completely black. Except the backing material, which has almost a grey hue to it.

But - I don't have any idea why such an eagle would have been produced. You could argue that subdued insignia we're very common - the late war green breast eagle is a very bland one-shade bird, by design. But I'd say this thing should be green (subdued) also by that logic. I guess I'll put it in the case and see if something like it ever turns up. Thanks again for weighing in - s/f Robert

[NickG]

It is an interesting bird indeed... and if not messed with, I would also hang on to it! Maybe its for some kind of fatigue (work) tunic? if indeed its never been dyed. (and why would it have been dyed...?). Postschutz is really uncharted territory for most collectors! I just got started to learn more about Bahnschutz, another obscure "branch" of the Third Reich. Thanks for showing! Nick

[Huntzman]

Just a thought

I'm just going to throw a comment out here, because I have run across it in normal Polizei insignia (circa mid 70's - present).

Occasionally I will get perfect bevo Polizei shirt patches, with the exception that someone spooling the machine screws up and assigns the wrong thread.

They are errors, but only because of the incorrect thread usage. The detailing is normal. They should never have made it out of the factory, but they do. Most collectors don't like them and get rid of them. For me it is an interesting sub collection. Don't see too many Red Berlin bears.

Anyway, might this be the case with some off TR Bevo items ?

Andrew