was there some kind of rule...

[Chris Boonzaier]

that said SS tailors had to leave labels in?

If I was to sew something onto a uniform I would instinctivly rip off the paper label, or cloth label. What would the logical purpose be for leaving it on? it can't make sewing any easier, the ink on the paper may run, a hole host of reasons.... but mainly... it just would not FEEL right to me to leave it on.... is it because I was raised in the throw away society ?

[phild]

that said SS tailors had to leave labels in?

If I was to sew something onto a uniform I would instinctivly rip off the paper label, or cloth label. What would the logical purpose be for leaving it on? it can't make sewing any easier, the ink on the paper may run, a hole host of reasons.... but mainly... it just would not FEEL right to me to leave it on.... is it because I was raised in the throw away society ?

Regarding cloth labels in private purchase tunics (any service) I see them about 50/50 intact and removed. I also have seen a lot of these tunics that show no trace of having had a label. Many items will have both a woven makers label and an in pocket name label with the maker's name as well.

I almost never remove the labels from my personal clothes or my military uniforms (when I was in of course), I really don't think that it was any ryme or reason to the German owners actions in the regard. I have wondered about this same that you speak of since about 1975 when I started collecting uniforms. I hear a lot of suggestions like security concerns, makers not wanting to be identified by captured uniforms etc... I have never found a basis for these ideas.
I do think that itmes sold thru the SS officer Kleiderkasse were by REGULATION suspossed to a have NO or perhaps in some cases very minimal maker type label attached. My guess is that the SS officer items contracting authority did not want to promote or advertise a maker or supplier....this same policy is widley followed today for many similar military goods.

[Chris Boonzaier]

Hi Phil,

I was refering more to the labels behind badges.

all the best
Chris

[Gary Wood]

Chris,

are we talking about paper rzm labels on the backs of insignia?,
cheers,
Gary

[phild]

Sorry Chris, I should have read your first post more carefully. Good question on the insignial lablels. I too have wondered about these as I also would tend to remove them in the modern context.

I would bet the cloth labels on the earlier insignia tended to not be removed, the paper labels I don't know, but they were glued on instead of using the 'sticky' adhesive as we usually see post war.

[Chris Boonzaier]

My other question would be.... why the heck DID they glue a label on everything? noone in the world has put individual lables on cloth badges (even less, kept them in place when sewing them on)...


Hi Gary,
indeed I am.