Panzer Wrap for review

[djpool]

Hi I picked this wrap at a local auction about 6 months ago. Finally getting around to posting it. The wrap has several modifications, shortened,sleeves sewn shut, shortened, eye and hook removed. All the insignia has been replaced except possible the shoulder boards. Not sure if the collar tabs or eagle are original. The collar piping looks okay but I haven't handled a lot of piped wraps, so i can be wrong. Considering how poorly sewn the insignia has been replaced I don't think the previous owner made any other modifications. I believe the base wrap is fine but any comments are welcome. Regards Jim

[GAMS1]

Collar patches+skulls are repro .
The pink piping around the collar seems very odd and the work done looks terrible...
Nick

[phild]

The basic wrap is ok and the mods are typical for an officer or any rank who actually owned the wrap, few wanted to them as long as they came from the makers. Hard to say if the piping is the original or period reapplied or post war applied but it was originally piped. The boards do look period attached and the 1st regiment did draw from Erfurt depot. Tabs look bad to me as do skulls. Overall very nice early wrap. A real high chance this 2nd LT did not live past 1942 if that long or at least never made it home to rotate this wrap into field use and promotion. 1st PZ div was arguably in as much hard fighting as any division in the German Army, SS or FJe

[djpool]

Thanks for the comments. I figured the tabs were bad and wasn't sure of the eagle. I believe the previous owner got the wrap stripped except for the SBs. I know he didn't add the piping.I'm torn on the piping. The sewing is comparable to other examples Ive see on the internet. Still not a bad deal for $400. Jim

[collector19]

Nice and original 2nd pattern probably restored with bad insignias

The wrapper seems to be from the manufacturer "Otto Mers, Erfurt" - compare the size stamps.

Congrats on this one!

[Glenn McInnes]

Nice early wrapper..I would say the collar piping is fine. Those collar tabs are really horrible.








Glenn

[djpool]

Nice and original 2nd pattern probably restored with bad insignias

The wrapper seems to be from the manufacturer "Otto Mers, Erfurt" - compare the size stamps.

Congrats on this one!

I always thought the size stamping were done in the depot, which match. Unfortunately I’m not spending that much on collecting these days so the horrible collar tabs will have to do for a while. Jim

[me6_130]

I always say "If the price is good, why not?" and your price is certainly good, so welcome to the wrap even with such ugly tabs and skulls



Carles

[phild]

I think you paid 10 cents on the dollar of what a fully stripped piped wrap in that condition is easily worth. If you’re looking for a set of matching tabs they will probably cost you around $1000 and take a year or two to find, on the other hand if your not looking for them or really not needing them you will probably find a nice set next month for $500 or $2.00 at a garage sale. That’s at least my experience.

[djpool]

I think you paid 10 cents on the dollar of what a fully stripped piped wrap in that condition is easily worth. If you’re looking for a set of matching tabs they will probably cost you around $1000 and take a year or two to find, on the other hand if your not looking for them or really not needing them you will probably find a nice set next month for $500 or $2.00 at a garage sale. That’s at least my experience.

Thanks. I’m hoping for the $2.00 option haha. Jim

[OSS]

While I believe the jacket is original I am not crazy about the collar piping. Surely this jacket would have had a pink piped collar when originally made but I wonder if the piping was removed when the hook and eye was removed, then later replaced in a sloppier manner. Maybe I'm wrong but most of these I've handled have had near flawless workmanship.

[phild]

While I believe the jacket is original I am not crazy about the collar piping. Surely this jacket would have had a pink piped collar when originally made but I wonder if the piping was removed when the hook and eye was removed, then later replaced in a sloppier manner. Maybe I'm wrong but most of these I've handled have had near flawless workmanship.

I left that possibility open in my initial response, I think it is very possible and tend to agree that it would have been made more neatly. The term tailor is often used loosely (IMO) when discussing uniforms. This kind of work could have been undertaken by anyone who would do basic alterations including the guy’s aunt. The same is true when considering almost any piece of insignia so I am often circumspect before declaring something absolutely post war applied.
There is no need to beat the horse here but I have long been a believer that most anyone can gain a lot of skill in examining thread used in areas on any item (including SS crusher sweatbands) to discern real age, by viewing under a lighted scope. It does not matter if the thread is old or new, sewn and exposed thread now near 80 years old will look more faded and worn and soiled compared to recent 20-30 year old re-sewn work. That is true at least very much of the time.

[djpool]

While I believe the jacket is original I am not crazy about the collar piping. Surely this jacket would have had a pink piped collar when originally made but I wonder if the piping was removed when the hook and eye was removed, then later replaced in a sloppier manner. Maybe I'm wrong but most of these I've handled have had near flawless workmanship.

All I know is the owner who had it before me didn’t mess with the piping. No way the eagle and collar tabs were applied by the same person. The collar piping displays well so I won’t mess with it. I’ll let the next owner worry about it. Jim

[galizien41]

Jim Congratulations on the nice score and value priced. Will find you a nice pair of tabs to restore it with! The wrap desrves that.

[phild]

All I know is the owner who had it before me didn’t mess with the piping. No way the eagle and collar tabs were applied by the same person. The collar piping displays well so I won’t mess with it. I’ll let the next owner worry about it. Jim

I think the piping is period sewn to the wrap and is probably the original piping just re-sewn (or maybe not re-sewn) but either way original wartime.