SS Plane Tree Smock

[Relic collector]

Hi all,

I have been offered an SS Plane Tree Smock, but I've got some questions, I have already done searched on here and spent hours reading through other posts but I need to be 100% sure.

The eyleets for the cord, are they always hand sewn?

Are the pockets (inside) on the Type 2 smocks always made of HBT material, should they be white or green or either?

Are there ever any date stamps or maker's marks on SS Camouflage smocks?

I have seen many examples of mis-matched material on this forum but would it be "normal" to have a Plane tree smock (not overprint) with oakleaf arms (the lower half) and collar?

Sorry for all of the questions, any help appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Steve

[Fritz]

Eyelets only handsewn?....No, there are even pieces that had metal eyelets-

I would only want M42 smocks with the so called "red green" (which actually looks like blue green) HBT pockets.

Generally not, however, you will find period smocks with stamps that were added for whatever reasons. Like stamps of foreign armies that used these smocks post 45.

Yes, you can find a mix of early and late platane. That's quite common.


Cheers

Fritz

[Relic collector]

SS Smock

Thanks Fritz

The smock I have seen has the pockets and the camo loops as well, it's a late type smock (M40?), so white or green HBT would be fine for the pockets?

Does anyone else have any advice? I have asked to take photos but the guy will not let me unfortuantely

Cheers

Steve

[CWP]

If you are talking about paying thousands for an SS smock, why wouldn't the seller want you to take photos???

[Relic collector]

Simple really, if he lets people take photos the smock may end up on eBay, being sold by someone else...

If I could take photos I wouldn;t have bothered with the questions I'd have just posted the photos and hoped someone would comment onthem.

I'm going back to see him at the weekend with a seasoned SS collector so fingers crossed.

Steve

[Fritz]

Thanks Fritz

The smock I have seen has the pockets and the camo loops as well, it's a late type smock (M40?), so white or green HBT would be fine for the pockets?

Does anyone else have any advice? I have asked to take photos but the guy will not let me unfortuantely

Cheers

Steve

No, M40 smocks never had any real pockets....M42s had. And as I said, I would only want the blue green colored HBT material for the pockets!

Chris is 100% right...first of all, what is he asking for that piece? It should be at least 4000,-Euro if the condition is good...otherwhise it's more than likely a piece that's not period.

Without pics I can't help you. Only help I can give now is: Don't buy it unless it's really cheap (up to 250,-Euro, that's what a repro cost). If he wants to sell it to you he must provide pics...


Cheers

Fritz

[Mark Edward C]

Yes, I've had a large number of smocks go through my hands over the years...green HBT is the norm for M42s, however there are very rare versions which include tan cotton pockets. The overall construction must be the same. Some smocks include hand reinforced tie holes but I have seen real ones with machine reinforced holes and even metal grommets...still not the norm. Really its the overall construction one looks for as rarer variations do exist and must not be discounted. Sorry, this might mix you up more than help. In the end the more real ones you see, the more you'll learn what variations are good and which are beyond accepted possibility. Without pictures, the words really have limited meaing past the most experienced collectors.
Here is one of my old M38 Plane tree smocks with machine reiforced holes--one version. (Oh yes, the "tie" in the pic is a boot lace and not the correct piece...the original tie string was missing.)
good luck...

Mark

[Relic collector]

Smock

Hi Mark,

Thanks for replying, your reply has helped, thanks!

I am sure that the smock is 100% Ok, I am taking an experienced SS Collector friend of mine with me this weekend, I have seen the smock, the owner will not allow photos incase they end up on the internet by some unscrupulous eBayer!

Thanks for your help.

Steve