Stone Mint

[Larry Lipps]

A question for your uniform guys. While wandering the MAX there were a lot of virtually mint uniforms for sale. Many of them on the tables of major dealers. Every year there seems to be more. I can't wear a set of clothes to work without something happening, so where are all these mint uniforms comming from?

[DonC]

A question for your uniform guys. While wandering the MAX there were a lot of virtually mint uniforms for sale. Many of them on the tables of major dealers. Every year there seems to be more. I can't wear a set of clothes to work without something happening, so where are all these mint uniforms comming from?

That's easy! There were hundreds of super-wealthy privates and corporals who could afford six or eight uniforms that they never wore! I think the rule of 10% probably applies here. MAYBE 20%...... I have never been able to really trust "mint" uniforms unless I knew they had never been issued. A mint uni with three or four medal and badge mounting loops scares me more than anything.

I'd rather have some natural wear and a little "stank" to my pieces, but that's just me (not the "stank", of course...).

Don

[bnz. 42]

IMO, no one needed six-eight uniforms even if he was "super-wealthy" and could afford it. Moreover, I can't imagine where these "privates and corporals" kept it in a field, and how they moved with all this "baggage".

I think that "Walk-out" uniforms is the answer. It is why you see them mint and "with three or four medal and badge mounting loops".

[John Pic]

I was at the MAX and I did not see very many mint uniforms.I saw some with light age and some with resewn insignias.Some all beat up but few brand new looking ones.For the most part as far as Wehrmacht tunics and Luft tunics were concerned most that I examined were original.I saw some nice officer tunics with well aged insignias and in nice shape.If I collected other than SS I would have brought a few back.

[Drew Wright]

Snigley:

I went to the MAX looking for excellent+ condition army tunics and did come home with three (a M44, M36 for an arty NCO and a piped field tunic for a cav oberst). Other than some parade tunics and a couple of officer M36s, I really didn't see anything else that was in mint/near mint condition (you find these very often in great condition).

Believe me, if there would have been mint EM combat tunics there, I would have come home with every one of them!

Best regards,

Drew

[Willi Z.]

There may have been a few mint HBT jackets, etc. I didn't more than a very few mint combat tunics, Fliegerblusen or tropical tunics. There were a few mint FJ smocks........and some exceptionally rare and mint SS camo pieces. Mint tunics have always been, and will continue to be rare and in tremendous demand. Seldom will you encounter a mint M43 or M44 tunic. Mint tunics were brought home by the bundle by GIs, who found them in depot or supply trains. Wera abnd age can be easily added to tunics. The repros are not being made as mint ones, they know it is easier to fool someone with some age and dirt. Saw a few aged bad Waffen SS tunics sell for fool's prices on the first day. Mnay collectors added loops to mint tunics years ago. Worn tunics with original loops are rather rare too...loops are easily added.

Willi