SS RZM Book.

[Dennis S]

Years ago a fellow collector ( a very secretive one at that) showed me a book printed in the the 30's in Germany by the RZM. If I remember correctly the book was full of drawings of SS collar tabs and described the construction in photos or drawings. The book was about 5" high and 8" long. I think the cover was cream colored or a yellow. I could be wrong onthat. He actually told me he clipped it from a major public Library when he was a kid. He started collecting in the early 60's.

My question is has anyone here run across this book?

[Robert H]

A so called RZM sample book, some are out but I just know about one.

[Donald Abenheim]

Muster

There were the so-called Herstellungsvorschriften d. RZM as a single volume. The specifications for various items are reprinted in the C.R. Davis volume of the mid-1970s for metal items. Much of this material, I believe, was also in the Mitteilungsblaetter d. RZM. One should also keep in mind that in some of this material, the specifications were also in the form of text, which the makers of regalia then interpreted. One also used the so-called Proben and Muster items, that is, a well made piece (be it a cap or a collar patch... contracted for by the RZM or, in its original state prior to 1918, by the various Heeresbekleidungsaemter...) which was then reverse engineered (as it were...) (..or just copied...) by the craftsman or artisan in question. Such allowed latitude. The use of these Proben/Muster was a well established custom in the German military, which was more or less duplicated in the NSDAP and its organizations. I am sure colleague Chapman can add much more to this subject can I, as can the other collectors of note in this field. sapere aude. PS Peter Jenkins also has wonderful material on this score, which I have begged him to publish to no avail.

[Dennis S]

Now mind you this was over 20 years ago. I recall the only subject referred in the book was SS collar tabs. The book was of the size of the text. I referred to. It had large drawings of SS tabs and clear instructions of their manufacture.

[Donald Abenheim]

Herstellungvorschriften

I would also add that the 1936 Herstellungsvorschriften have been reprinted in Germany. I am sure colleague Chapman's Aktenfundus has something of merit in all of this. Perhaps someone can also illustrate an example of a Muster piece of insignia with its tell-tale leaden seal.

[jim arrasmith]

Another hard ,hard to get book is Auther Meyers SILVERSMITHS OF THE 3TH REICH.It's about Otto Gahr,the maker of the SS honor Rings and High nazi silver gifts they gave to each other.I was very lucky and found one.In it PICS OF THE ORGINAL DRAWINGS OF THE DAUSCHLAND ERWACHE STANDARDS,It's all in german and only 1,000 were made in 1993.Pics of the SS silver gifts and jewelry are breath taking.