Another dye job tunic rescue attempt!

[NickG]

Remember this exotic "creation" ? Some thought it was a little over the top...

The base for it was a real (stripped) black dyed combat tunic (M40?) which I obtained from the Bazaar section...
It was offered for cheap money as a stripped repro Algemeine SS tunic...(I had a feeling it was real and took a gamble on it).

It had tailoring for an officer: removal of belt supports and added dagger hanger slit...
I played with several restoration ideas...as black dyed tunics were occasionally worn war time...

[NickG]

Well after seeing some results posted here showing succesful black dye reversals ...
(djpool's black cossack Dutch tunic + dhcoleterracina's black dyed M44) I got brave
and bought some of this dye remover myself! It is made in Germany, so must be good stuff!

[NickG]

Here the preliminary results after one treatment...
I ran out of material so some more washing/rinsing cycles to go... but it is looking promising already!

It turned out not to be the M40 that we thought it was,

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ight=black+dye

but the dye reversal process revealed an earlier M36 with bottle green collar!!
or M40 with M36 collar conversion... and I'm thinking even Waffen SS used!!! based on the lack of WH insignia ghosts!
(I had lightly handstitched some insignia on it when I played with it with some restoration ideas which fortunately did not leave
any permanent damage...)

[NickG]

Even the ink stamps are becoming visible now...
More pictures to follow after some more treatments and ultimately a final restoration reveal! The black cossack is toast!

[BenVK]

Wow! that stuff works really well.

[WEISNER]

Good eye Nick in picking up a possible SS used tunic off the bazaar, the seller should be advised not to look at this thread for risk of a heart attack or self imposed backside kicking!

I look forward to enjoying another restoration here on the forum and am excited to see the results from the second and any subsequent washing/dye removal trips through the washer.

Best of luck!

Kev

[pionier]

Where is the fistpumping emoticon!?!

Very nice job, hope it gets even better!

[djpool]

Awesome! Looking good. Looks like we're on to tunic save number 3. The Carbona seems to work extremely well on the black but basically leaves the lining materials, insignia (on my tunic) and Dark Green collar alone. My only caution is it appears to take some of the original green color out of the wool. However the end result is a later war wool color. Usually not a big deal and certainly better then black. Jim

[NickG]

Thanks for the thumbs up guys! Here some better day light images after the first dye removal cycle!

[NickG]

Good eye Nick in picking up a possible SS used tunic off the bazaar, the seller should be advised not to look at this thread for risk of a heart attack or self imposed backside kicking!

I look forward to enjoying another restoration here on the forum and am excited to see the results from the second and any subsequent washing/dye removal trips through the washer.

Best of luck!

Kev

Yep! Got lucky! It cost me $150 incl postage (and under 3 bucks a box for the detergent!)
Stay tuned for more updates (and final restoration!!)

[NickG]

This LAH M40 (shown before by another member on WAF, note Russian capture markings) is what my tunic started out with I believe...
Same exact liner pattern (see red) and material...

but mine was modified with M36 collar and dagger slit for SS officer use which is how it will be restored! (Waffen SS Untersturmfuhrer)

[kapitein]

Looks promissing, give it a few more baths to get those black tigerstrips out!
At one time indeed used by an officer!
Good stuff!
Kapitein

[NickG]

Compare! red curvature area...
Same maker? Note stitched on officer's laundry tag number!

[dhcoleterracina]

Great job Nick! I can't wait to see the finished product. My M-44 was probably an un-issued piece that was dyed for civilian use. Yours is too early for it to have been un-issued [along with the modifications made]. The lack of Heer insignia certainly points to it being SS.

[NickG]

Great job Nick! I can't wait to see the finished product. My M-44 was probably an un-issued piece that was dyed for civilian use. Yours is too early for it to have been un-issued [along with the modifications made]. The lack of Heer insignia certainly points to it being SS.

Thanks! Most black dyed tunics are probably POW related and post hostilities worn as there was a huge clothing shortage...
Here some images of such dyed tunics being worn by Georgian WH troops who participated in (and survived) the Texel (Holland) mutiny in 1945,
under Canadian troops custody shortly after VE day ...