Totenkopd #I Collar Tab

[Bob Hritz]

I found this at the SOS. This is the most unusual Totenkopfverbande collar tab I have ever seen. The skull is oversize and not placed as high as I normally see. I have tested the wool badge cloth, the piping, the bullion, the tag and buckram, and all are consistant with period made pieces. Has anyone seen such an unusual collar tab? I was going to use it to restore a black tunic I have, that was stripped of the collar tabs.

Bob Hritz

ps: Sorry for the poor photos, but I am still not home from the SOS and have to use an unfamaliar camera.

[Bob Hritz]

Verso. The cloth tag is deteriorating from dryness. Again, my apologies for the poor photo.

Bob Hritz

[Hohenstaufen]

Bob,
Hello, I believe that I saw this in Martin Stiles black folder at the show. I was busy with another buyer and didn't get a chance to see it up close, but judging by your photos it does have some characteristics that are typical to original wartime pieces. The scull does look a little odd shaped, but I used to own a reversed head horizontal scull tab and, it too, had an odd shape to it, but it was 100% right. I would venture to say that this is either a different variation or someone went through a lot of trouble to make it look like an original. As you know, hand embroidered bullion items such as; tabs, cuff titles, etc.. had a lot of variations to them, which sometimes makes them difficult to tell. I have delt with Martin in several deals and I would say that he should not be lumped in with the rest of the English dealers. He is an ok guy in my book! Well, that is my two cents worth. Regards, Grant.

[Bob Hritz]

Hello Grant,

Yes, I bought it from Martin. I agree that he is of sterling reputation and a great fellow.

I just think it is one of those Monday morning or Friday afternoon pieces that are not as nice as those made when rested and content. I cannot find anything wrong with materials or workmanship, other than the unusual pattern.

Of course, I still like you examples much better, but one cannot be to choosy about design when looking for rare original TK insignia.

Bob Hritz

[Robin Lumsden]

......should not be lumped in with the rest of the English dealers....

Grant.
There are some other good English dealers. They're not all bad. (And this is a Scot that's talking to you).

[Dr. Strangelove]

Bob, please post better pictures when you get home.

[Bob Hritz]

Hello Doc,

I sure will.

Bob Hritz

[Gary Wood]

Grant.
There are some other good English dealers. They're not all bad.

Yes Robin I agree, there are and some , and some have been around a long time
cheers
Gary

[Gary Wood]

Hello Doc,

I sure will.

Bob Hritz

Bob,
I await your better pictures of this unusual tab when you get time,
cheers
Gary

[HIAG]

---------------------------------------------

I would say that he should not be lumped in with the rest of the English dealers.

YEAH!!! WELL SAID, ALL THOSE ENGLISH DEALERS SELL NOTHING BUT RUBBISH...

So why do you buy off them ?????


Kind Regards Keith
ENGLISH DEALER.

[Hohenstaufen]

Ok guys, I think that you are taking what I am saying the wrong way. There is a couple of well known English dealers ( we all know that they have been talked about alot on the forums about having questionable things that they are selling) and I am not going to mention names, but we all know who they are. I have delt with Hannah's Reich, SSBW and Last Reich and have had good dealings with Keith, Peter, and Martin. Others like Robin and Gary are not what I consider full time dealers, but are respectable collectors, right? There are American dealers over here that are bad news as well and everyone knows to stay away from them. I met Martin Stiles for the first time over here at the SOS this past weekend and he told me himself, that one of the reasons for the trip was to build a better repore with the American buyers and collectors, due to all of the bad rap a couple of English dealers have caused. Man, you guys take things way too serious!! Regards, Grant.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Im not buying anything from you Limey Lobsterbacks! just kidding !

[Gary Wood]

Ok guys, I think that you are taking what I am saying the wrong way. There is a couple of well known English dealers ( we all know that they have been talked about alot on the forums about having questionable things that they are selling) and I am not going to mention names, but we all know who they are. I have delt with Hannah's Reich, SSBW and Last Reich and have had good dealings with Keith, Peter, and Martin. Others like Robin and Gary are not what I consider full time dealers, but are respectable collectors, right? There are American dealers over here that are bad news as well and everyone knows to stay away from them. I met Martin Stiles for the first time over here at the SOS this past weekend and he told me himself, that one of the reasons for the trip was to build a better repore with the American buyers and collectors, due to all of the bad rap a couple of English dealers have caused. Man, you guys take things way too serious!! Regards, Grant.

Grant,
I do not think Robin and I came into it, what we were saying is there are good dealers in the uk, its normally the bad ones that get noticed and the press on the whole, there are Good/bad dealers in every country,

cheers
Gary

[Gary Wood]

Im not buying anything from you Limey Lobsterbacks! just kidding !

Ok Dr Strangelove what is a lobsterback????

[Guy]

Actually Grant you stated quite clearly "the rest" of the English dealers. Don't go spitting your dummy about people taking things too seriously and trying to deflect the heat when it was your ill considered words that started this s##t. I must say it didn't take you long to form your opinion of the upstanding Mr Styles. Probably about as long as it took you to condemn the rest of us.

BTW well said Keith.

Yours, Guy.