Stosstrupp Adolf Hitler 1923

[Bob Hritz]

Doc,

If anyone is lucky enough to own one, the preferrable type is the official award pattern, as is yours.

Bob Hritz

[laurens]

Hi Bob,

The broad sleeve band looks authentic to me, but of course without correspondense or period photo it's impossible to be sure it's authentic or not.

Maybe the sleeve band was a sample before modification.

Best,

laurens

[Panzer Rob]

Bob and Doc,

IMHO quite easily one of the most desirable and truly rare pieces I could ever imagine acquiring. You should consider yourselves extremely fortunate, as very, very few collectors will ever be able to experience the rewards of owning one of these.


Bob- what's the 'history' behind the larger band you are trying to research? How did you acquire it? Based on your images and the tests you have done, it looks to be legit. However, locating a period photograph of the exact same version in wear would really seal the deal for you. Good luck!


Rob

[Bob Hritz]

Hello Rob,

A friend piced up the cuff title, several decades ago, with a group of original common insignia, at an estate sale. There was nothing tremendously rare in any of the other material bought at that sale and nothing else that was related to early SA or the Stosstrupp.

I was sent a poloroid photo of the title, years ago. Because it appeard with nothing else, in the photo, I assumed it was the thin, award type, from the style of the lettering and height of the lettering, in relation to the borders. When the decision was made to trade it, at a very high value, he mailed it to me. I immediately dismissed it as being a post war copy, notified my friend, and he advised me to hold on to it for further research. I was dismayed because the metal wrap, of the threads, was not pure aluminum (holding heat and cold as aluminum). The metal wrap was more gray than silver and presented a much more 'sparkling' look. It was more fragile, also, and there are areas where it has deteriorated.

Jim Pool was having our weekly visit and he closely examined the band and we cut a thread or two and started testing. First, it does conduct electrical current. hense metallic. Next, I burned a small piece of the metallic wrap, removed from the core thread. This melted, turned red, white and then turned to ash (oxides). The interior threads, magnified 60x were not extraordinary and appear to be cotton and burn withiout any ash, slowly, turning black as they burn. The thread sewing over the folded end was tested. It lost it's black color, where exposed, and was a brownish color. It burned like cotton and I could not find synthetics, under magnification.

I have notified the owner and will make the original transaction to acquire the band.

I feel confident, in the band, but it will always be an item which needs further study.

Bob Hritz