SS Cloth Eagle, Opinion

[Eric N]

Hi,

At the bottom of this message I have included a link to my site showing an SS cloth eagle. I don't know if the eagle is an original or a replica.

The eagle is bullion thread on black wool with a paper backing and it appears to have been removed from a hat or tunic. It was purchased in 1976 at a gun/militaria show. The only thing I have found is a line drawing on page 28 in the 1978 printing of "Waffen SS" by Osprey Men-at-Arms Series that indicates it may be for a M1943 cap. Other than that I don't know much about it.

I collect medals and this is the only cloth insignia I have. Any opinions would be great!

Thanks,

Eric


http://eric_nichols.home.att.net

The site also shows my EK1 marked L/54.

[Mohawkwarrior]

Hello,Sorry to say the Eagle is a very poor post war copy.

[keifer kahn]

Its great people reply,but it annoys when people say "its a copy" and leave it at that.Actually explaining why you think its a repro might help educate people.

regards keifer

[Mohawkwarrior]

The reason for no further explination is simple.There are numerous books and website postings dealing with SS cloth insignias.It is one of the hardest areas of collecting and no one should bother unless they have researched and examined the references on the subject.No seeing that it may be a cap eagle,it is possible its good,but I do not like the way it was done.The head is different from most I have seen.

[Eric N]

Thanks for the reply. I'm clueless about cloth insignia and wouldn't trust myself to make a purchase. My dad bought it for me when I was a kid. I remember a lot of reproduction stuff being sold as well as original stuff, so I kind of figured it might be a fake (but was holding out hope it wasn't).

Anyway -- I don't plan on collecting cloth insignia (badges are enough for me), but I am interested in learning more. So for my own education, could you (Mohawkwarrior or anyone else) suggest any reference book(s) that show this type of eagle or that have been particularly helpful to you. Some of my references discuss SS cloth peripherally, but I haven't found much on the web (other than this site) that talks about SS cloth.

And, is it supposed to be for a cap?

Thanks in advance,

Eric N

[Steve T]

Eric,
Can't get a site at that address...

[Eric N]

Hi Steve,

I just checked the link and it worked for me. You can try the link below. If it doesn't work let me know and I can send you the pictures by email if you are interested. I am not able to post attachments yet. Hopefully soon!!!

Good luck with the link.

http://home.att.net/~eric_nichols/wsb/index.html

[Mohawkwarrior]

I suggest the Godfather of all SS books,Cloth Insignia of the SS by Angolia.Also Wafen SS its Uniforms insignia and equipment by Fosten and Marrion.There are also the books by Robin Lumsden,and A.Hayes.Another is Waffen SS its Divisional insignia by C.Beadle and Theodore Hartman.The New Series by Michael Beaver and the old stand by series by Andrew Mollo.Your eagle resembles a widespread style of fake sleeve eagle that has been around for many years however nothing beats hands on examination.