SS uniform

[Mainemilitaria]

I have no problems with the tunic.....your a lucky man!

However, I don't believe the "War story" (as such). Now, it may have been the story told to your Dad, but makes little real sense... first off...why would an W-SS Infantry Corporal (Rottenfuhrer) be on some assisination mission????? Who Mr. Abel's was, where he acquired the tunic, and how that all ties in we'll probably never know... but, no offense... it doesn't "ring true" IMO..... (of course, you can believe what you want!). That said.... The stains could certianly be blood....(reason for the dry cleaning?) but many obvious explainations possible for this....(the story being one, also...)

I've heard thousands of "war stories" in the 56 years I've collected.....many are heart-rendered truths and some are 100% Bull crap.....many get confused and embellished with the telling..... whatever the case- the TUNIC speaks for itself and is worthy of historic respect and preservation....I hope it's in good hands, and you are one very lucky man!
Meant with all respect and best regards!
John G.

[Mp40Bran]

I know the story sounds crazy but I don't know why my grandpa would lie about something like that? The story does sound crazy but i guess it could make sense because my grandpa was a top secret code breaker. Supposedly Mr. Abel was on the streets at some point and my grandpa saved his life by feeding him everyday. If i could get the Walter that belonged to this soldier back would that be a rare item?

[Mainemilitaria]

I don't doubt that's the story you're Gandpa was told.... and could have some truth in it....I just doubt the tunic (being what it is) is directly involved with the story as told. However, the story has no bearing on the tunic and what it is.

Normally a W-SS Corporal wouldn't have carried a pistol.... however, certianly not unknown. Usually he would have carried a P-38 (9mm) or Luger (9mm)- if any pistol...but Walther also made other pistols (but not normally carried by "Grunts").

Certianly knowing what the pistol was could be a clue....(was there a holster?....was there a belt included?....was anything "named")....

Most WW2 German Pistols aren't "rare", but values can be "up there" (depending on what it is, dates, condition, holster, extra clip, all matching...etc.)... at least get photos if you can.
John G.

[John Pic]

My Uncle took a Walther PPK from an SS Corporal during the Ardenne's offensive with the holster. He asked the prisoner to write his name on the back and the prisoner did as well as a list of all the nations he fought in. Corporals were leaders in the SS and respected photos of SS corporals in action were sometimes mistaken as officers in action.

[juoneen]

Well I believe your story, and vets don't lie...these guys are insulting you because of your ignorance , and basicly shows jealously that you have a extremely valuable item they would like to get cheep and then sell for a fortune...I applaud your posting one of the few authentic and un farbed ss uniform as most are made ups from pieces , and in a thousand posted maybe 5 are originals untouched...nobody who is a buyer will give a proper appraisal , they will all be 1/2 or more short of what it really should bring, and it is gold in the bank and rising every day as no stock can do...congratulations, but I hope your dad doesn't give it to you till you have a better knowledge of values, and appreciation . Many times guys like you who mean well get taken here , and so, as I always say...beware of snakes, and that uniform can just about buy you a house free and clear....I have heard hundreds of vets stories too, and never had one lie...so I guess it depends how old you are, and how close to the wars ending that one started collecting ,and if you are dealing with opportunistic whores who play collectors who trust these nimrods... as I started in the early 60's. Newbys(less than 30 years in the hobby ) may hear more B.S. stories, like the one stating " before I can tell if its right"the I have to see this BLA BLA BLA...or that to be sure...should not be stated till it has been viewed in entirety.
Thanks for showing ,and remember you will have a thousand PM's all stating if you ever want to sell let them know, but never answer one like that, answer ones that say I will pay you anytime 150,000. in cash if your dad ever wants to sell.,..or on that type of inquiry, as those out to get you will never offer , they want you to screw up, by telling you to price it, and hope you mess up big time.......just some words of wisdom from one who knows how the game is played...this should be sold at a large trusted international auction that allows you to back out if the price is not satisfactory, as even sothebys, and christies have been busted in scandals where they held prices down to screw the seller..colluding with buyers who decide ahead of time what they will pay, and what it will sell for....and certainly do not post it for sale EVER on e bay....then you may be defrauded through lost in the mail scams...as it happens all the time now ...But I know you are keeping it, and do not let strangers know where it is kept...theft in the hobby for just one item like this happens all the time now with money in short supply due to the poor economy....I would put it in a bank vault in a platic sealed bag or somewhere bugs cant get to it, as they can destroy such an item in one season if not properly stored ... By the way I am not a buyer or seller here , and have no conflicts of interest in any item anybody else owns...I seek my own in person, and never buy from this site or anyone who frequents here....so my opinions are not profit or driven by greed like the normal collector.

[Mp40Bran]

Thank you so much for your advice! I have it currently stored away in a closet in the basement in protected cover. Also my house has been cleared of mouths and their are moths balls in the closet. Is this good enough for storage or do I really need to take it to a bank vault. $150,000 cash???? How can a SS jacket be worth that much?!

[johnpahl]

I think he added an extra zero. Similar LAH tunics have sold for $13,000 - $15,000 on dealer sites in 2013.

[Mainemilitaria]

I agree on a price range of $12,000.00 to maybe $15/16,000.00....being named would be a plus....check inside pockets and under "folds"....always possible.

So.....Maybe not a "new house"....but certianly a good down payment on a new car or college fund.
John G.

Again....I meant no offense and didn't try to insult or mislead you.

[codytrcollector]

"that uniform can just about buy you a house free and clear......150,000" [dollars]?!?!?

I think the above statement is just a little presumptuous, to say the least. If I'm spending that amount of cash on a tunic, it better be Himmlers tunic! Even a high ranking named SS dress tunic which is on a well overpriced dealers site is only 22k, and that tunic is just as desirable if not more so . It is also a much rarer variant than the original posters tunic. A item is only worth what someone is willing to pay. I challenge you to find One individual who would be willing to pay 30k, much less 150,000 dollars!!!(insert shocked face here)
10-15k is a very fair evaluation in my opinion, as it is not made of the best material, only the rank of SS-Rottenführer(Senior Corporal, not a Corporal); which is a enlisted man, and unnamed. It is also missing the slip-on LAH straps for the shoulder-boards, which is quite important and valuable. Yes, untouched tunic are harder to find, but they are out there. Mainly it is the first generation of collectors whom possess most of the ones which do exsist, and tragical they are passing on. In fact, I've seen several senior collectors collection with 30+ untouched SS tunics, and sooner than later, sadly, they will come back to market. It is undoubtably a fact of life. We do not own these artifacts, but are just carriers for a short period of time, not unlike the soliders who originally owned them.
I'd say suggesting it's worth 150,000 is only giving the current owner a unrealistic expectation that will Never occur, at least not in our lifetime. We should be honest, too, just as the potential buyer Should be, and give an accurate evaluation which is 10-15k usd in this current market. But remember, that is still a great chunk of change for a old smelly uniform and you should be quite proud of your father, as well. Congratulations, it is a beautiful item.

Add: Also, if someone added the LAH slip-on's, would it still be "untouched"? If only the runic tab is missing, and someone adds it most wouldn't consider it to be completely untouched anymore, which does decrease the value. I for one wouldn't add them. It's a wonderful item the way it is.

[Mp40Bran]

Does the tunic look properly stored? I heard space bags cut out the bug and moisture. Thanks

[Frankenland-Dan]

Gents,

-seriously, how can you say one-way or the other? There are absolutely no close-up photos and even with that there must be some further detailed inspection. I’m beg your pardon, if you are not a skeptic in this business (I’m sorry-hobby) than you’ll be burned from the get-go! Also, Mp40Bran – maybe from a Family member but maybe not, with at least 80 posts, an interest in Mpi weapons and a whopper of a story - I’m super skeptical.

And if it’s from a Family member and with your interests – keep it remembrance of their service (your service members).

And it looks like a nice Janke to me but let’s see the close-ups…

[Max Wünsche]

that uniform can just about buy you a house free and clear....

Or maybe just the 2 car garage that is attached to the house.

150k.... maybe for an un-touched ritterkreuzträger's tunic from a well known personality.

[Mp40Bran]

I found out what the "laundry tag was". The tag was put into the jacket because my grandfather had it sent home from the Office of Military Attache in Paris France to the U.S. He was one of the men responsible for opening the Paris detachment shortly after World World 11 and remained there until 1949. I also attached a picture of the stain inside the jacket and a picture of my grandpas jacket to show you a little more about him.

[Mp40Bran]

jacket

[viva_giulio]

the better way to conserve these items... is on aired open space... and on the mannequin!

by the way your solution is good... and remember me, but now i just spray 2 times per year on items exposed in my room.