I guess my hoped for discussion on actual tab construction and the nuances thereof is going no where so I guess I’ll close with the following comment.
On this subject of textbook and/or acceptable tabs, I’m thinking that, while I understand the collector mind set that there were a couple of accepted tab styles related to known “RZM manufacturers”, it should be noted the the RZM manufacturers were supplying the Allgemeine SS formations & NOT (necessarily) the Waffen SS and, I believe, there were a hell-of-allot more senior officers serving in the latter than in the former.
We all know that nothing ‘required’ the Waffen SS leadership from purchasing their rank insignia from “accepted” RZM sources so, the mentality of limiting one’s collecting interests or acceptability criteria to those few sources seems counterintuitive for a true ‘collector’ of Third Reich militaria given the breadth of sources utilized during their rein.
As in the case Heer General’s, Waffen SS senior officers (as well as other ranks) might well purchase from any of the ten thousand or so hand embroiderers throughout the Reich who produced rank insignia, as a cottage industry, for the uniform manufacturers or tailoring firms throughout the Reich. Thus, as is quite unmistakable when comparing General’s rank tabs of the Heer, there could be (and were likely) subtle differences based on particular style or artistic signature of the artisan/embroiderer tasked with the work. Variety (it seems to me) is what makes collecting any field or item interesting.
Would a dagger enthusiast only collect Ohlig, May & Vom Hau daggers or might they consider acquiring and appreciating the manufacturing and artistic features of other fabricators. Likewise, would a collector of caps only consider an eReL cap and disregard any from Clemens Wagner or Pekuro? Call me dumb but I tend to appreciate the ‘artistry’ of a variety of makers in these sub-categories of Third Reich militaria and wonder why SS collector seem fixated otherwise.
On this subject of textbook and/or acceptable tabs, I’m thinking that, while I understand the collector mind set that there were a couple of accepted tab styles related to known “RZM manufacturers”, it should be noted the the RZM manufacturers were supplying the Allgemeine SS formations & NOT (necessarily) the Waffen SS and, I believe, there were a hell-of-allot more senior officers serving in the latter than in the former.
We all know that nothing ‘required’ the Waffen SS leadership from purchasing their rank insignia from “accepted” RZM sources so, the mentality of limiting one’s collecting interests or acceptability criteria to those few sources seems counterintuitive for a true ‘collector’ of Third Reich militaria given the breadth of sources utilized during their rein.
As in the case Heer General’s, Waffen SS senior officers (as well as other ranks) might well purchase from any of the ten thousand or so hand embroiderers throughout the Reich who produced rank insignia, as a cottage industry, for the uniform manufacturers or tailoring firms throughout the Reich. Thus, as is quite unmistakable when comparing General’s rank tabs of the Heer, there could be (and were likely) subtle differences based on particular style or artistic signature of the artisan/embroiderer tasked with the work. Variety (it seems to me) is what makes collecting any field or item interesting.
Would a dagger enthusiast only collect Ohlig, May & Vom Hau daggers or might they consider acquiring and appreciating the manufacturing and artistic features of other fabricators. Likewise, would a collector of caps only consider an eReL cap and disregard any from Clemens Wagner or Pekuro? Call me dumb but I tend to appreciate the ‘artistry’ of a variety of makers in these sub-categories of Third Reich militaria and wonder why SS collector seem fixated otherwise.
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