Query concerning polizei sword and SS portepee

[macleod]

Dear colleagues,

I have this framed studio photograph of a Germania Oberscharfuhrer, clutching a police sword with an SS portepee attached. Was this a common occurrence or was it simply a cheaper option to purchase a police sword?
Note he has ribbon bars from the annexation of Austria and the occupation of the Sudetenland (also a Spanish civil war wound badge).

regards,

macleod

[lakesidetrader]

This in an interesting pic.
1st off keep in mind that although collectors like everything textbook it was no so in the period. Often times we see period pics of people wearing things that were not up to regulation. I once displayed a uniform at a show only to have a well known local expert explain to me that the uniform was incorrect and put together. I quickly referred him to the older gentleman beside me who was the very Vet who wore it in combat... He was much less sure of himself after that!!
The other thing you need to know if that studios offered dagger and swords that were on hand for the photo shoot. Most of these guys were poor and dress daggers were private purechase items some could not afford. I suspect this is what happened here.
Hope that helps.

[macleod]

Many thanks for the reply, lakeside. Yes, it did occur to me that the sword might also be a prop. The studio was Oskar Weicht of Hamburg. From a cursory google search, Weicht appears to be quite a well established firm in Hamburg and so having such props to hand for portraits of local Germania (and polizei) members would be plausible.

regards

macleod

[Frogprince]

SS swords were awarded only by the RFSS. Police swords were standard listings in catalogs that could be purchased almost anywhere. And some of the posed studio photos did use theatrical or some other kinds of props that presumably were put together and not even standard period items. Something that also applies in a more limited sense in that some propaganda photos where nonstandard bladed sidearms/weapons etc. are seen. FP

[SCHUPO]

Bear in mind that policemen could wear the SS Portepee on their swords if they had dual membership in the Polizei and SS. So, it is possible that this is a policeman who is on active service in the SS who is wearing his proper Pol. NCO sword with the proper knot. Lots of possibilities here.

[Frogprince]

George (SCHUPO) makes a good point here about those who had dual status. FP

[macleod]

Hi

dual polizei/Germania membership? How interesting - I did not know that was possible. Well, this guy was certainly active. It is a pity I have no name for him as he must have been an early member of Germania. Many thanks for the replies.

regards

macleod

[Billy G]

I have a Schutzpolizei service bayonet with an SS NCO knot fused to the frog. The frog is also not readily removable from the frog lug. It came to me that way & I've always presumed the polizeimann had dual status in the Schutzpolizei & SS.

By the way, that's a great portrait.