medic collar tabs (poor quality repro?)

[SammyT]

These tabs appear to have a plastic backing. I'm quite certain they are repro but want to confirm. What do you think? Thanks.

[Renaud]

Maybe the backing is lacked pressed cardboard, which could seem like plastic. The visor of my only schirmmütze is exactly like that. I had made a burn test on a little sample and surprisingly it burns exactly like paper : light grey ashes.

[PaulR]

How about a straight on view of the fronts?

[SammyT]

ok, here are some more views along with some black light pics. Let me know what you think.

[SammyT]

two more

[SammyT]

here are the black light pics. They blue color now looks to be a very dark purplish black.

[PaulR]

I think that there is nothing wrong with these tabs either.

[Adam S.]

I think that there is nothing wrong with these tabs either.

Agree.

[SammyT]

well that is great news. I never would have thought these to be original. I have two more questions/comments on these, if you guys can help me out again.

The first is on the reverse there is black thread that zig-zags over the firm black backing. I've never seen a reverse that looks like this. Did certain makers make their tabs this way?

The second is if you look very closely at the front of each tab there is a very, very faint outline/impression in the fabric of a gull both above and below the actual piped gull. (not sure if you can see this in the photos but it is there.) Any thoughts on what might have cause this? My only thought is this. When I bought these tabs in the late 1980's the dealer sait that these were never issued. The tabs were laid upon one another and were bound by the circular piece of intertwined threads that are pictured in my previous posts. Maybe it is possible that when these tabs were stored, there could have been a captains tab above and below them which cause the impressions?? I know this is a long shot guess but not sure how these outlines/impressions could have gotten there. Let me know if you have any thoughts on this. Thanks.

[Gary B]

well that is great news. I never would have thought these to be original. I have two more questions/comments on these, if you guys can help me out again.

The first is on the reverse there is black thread that zig-zags over the firm black backing. I've never seen a reverse that looks like this. Did certain makers make their tabs this way?

The second is if you look very closely at the front of each tab there is a very, very faint outline/impression in the fabric of a gull both above and below the actual piped gull. (not sure if you can see this in the photos but it is there.) Any thoughts on what might have cause this? My only thought is this. When I bought these tabs in the late 1980's the dealer sait that these were never issued. The tabs were laid upon one another and were bound by the circular piece of intertwined threads that are pictured in my previous posts. Maybe it is possible that when these tabs were stored, there could have been a captains tab above and below them which cause the impressions?? I know this is a long shot guess but not sure how these outlines/impressions could have gotten there. Let me know if you have any thoughts on this. Thanks.

Hi,

These are a nice pair of original tabs. As for the backing material, the Germans used all sorts of material. I have seen cardboard, buckram, sheet metal and even an old wash rag. The zig zag stitching can not be attributed to any specific maker as this was a cottage industry with hundreds of makers who never marked their products. For me the zig zag thread on the reverse flaps is always a good sign. Additionally I know of no repridcutions which use this method to hold down the tab flaps.

Gary B

[SammyT]

Thanks for the lesson Gary. I'm so happy I joined this forum!