Schlesien Cap Tally - Opinions Please

[R.R.]

Hi,

I received today this ¨Linienschiff Schlesien¨ cap tally and I'd like to have some opinions about it. I'm not a cap tally specialist, but seems to me it's a guilted wire version a little bit aged.









But I'm curious about it because at some time someone has extended it adding two cap tally pieces at it's extremitys. I'm not sure if it was periode made and why it was made, unfortunatelly there is no surplus thread there for a burn test.







I'll be glad to have some opinions about this cap tally and it's extensions. Cap tally central piece has about 62cm X 3,3cm and each extensions has 45cm and 50cm.

Thanks and regards,

Ricardo

[JustinG]

The burn test really doesn't work for these. This is a nice period previously shortened then re-stitched Metalfaden version. The reverse shot, showing the lettering weave is helpful and is usually needed, especially with Baumwool or cotton thread. This one, didn't need the reverse. A good KM period tally.
Actually, finding pieces that were shortened and then lengthened again is not too uncommon to find.
Regards,
JustinG

[Trance_Eyes]

Hi,

As JustinG stated, Yes all fine!

I also have a tally that has been cut and resewn.

Cheers
JustinC

[R.R.]

Hi,

As JustinG stated, Yes all fine!

I also have a tally that has been cut and resewn.

Cheers
JustinC

Justin and Trance,

Please, I'm only curious about it. There was one special reason to cut and then resew a tally like this? Why a short tally was not usable or desirable for a sailor?

Regards,

Ricardo

[JustinG]

Actually, for both of us we are both Justin.

So I have heard several stories. Some are that Officers would cut the ends of these off the tellermuetze as the crew would disembark from the ship. Other stories, a sailor might have reattached these to take portrait studio shots. After the OKW order in 1939 to abolish the wearing of named unit/ship tallies, some speculate, they would find a sailor who may have cut a tally down to size to put with some trinkets and then the newer cadre of personnel wanted to get a photo of them for their loved ones wearing the named unit tally, of course, they wanted the long version.

Some shortened versions exist and they were cut strictly for not wanting to get caught up in machinery, close quarters, or snagged on items.

Regards,
JustinG

[R.R.]

Hi JustinG,

Yes, I have heard too about sailors had preference to studio portraits made with full length tallies. In this case is plausible they had resewed tally tips after cuttings to made some new pictures.

Thank you for the answers Justins C & G.

Regards,

Ricardo

[Marine HJ]

Hi Ricardo,

a good tally no question about that.

The above stated reasons for a prolonged tally are all correct. One more reason, and this would match to the length of 65 of the center piece: due to the tension on the folds on the back of the hat it happened quite often, that the tallies ripped apart where they were guided through the loops on the back of the Tellermütze (flat sailors cap). To use it at least for a private purpose (Reservist or Veteran's display, they re-attached the ends (or sewn longer ones one as it is the case with your tally).

Rgds

Daniel