Value on an SS marked blanket

[CWP]

An original that I own, without markings. I have a couple like this, both identical. These are not particularly easy to find.

[CWP]

I understand that the huge and sloppy markings on the SS blanket look cheesy. Not everything in the Third Reich was perfect or was a tour-de-force of design prowess. I hope I've shed some light on why I suspect this blanket may well be original. Perhaps it is wise to be a bit more hesitant to assert that an opinion offered in good faith is a simple guess devoid of merit, especially when discussing a rare object that has not been the subject of any real study. In the end, though, my opinion is just that; I regard this as a discussion forum, not an advice forum.

[checkit]

The example pictured with the large RZM Number in white is like what I saw once in the past.

Hard to imagine someone wasting a good blanket and a good RZM Label to put together a trumped-up SS blanket, especially when a simple rubber stamp would have been adequate to convince most people. Of course, we have all seen original items muddled into something else.

[Heron]

RZM SS 114/35 'Tagged & Marked' - 94" x 55" Heavy Wool SS Blanket

Nearly a year ago, there was 'discussion' regarding the authenticity of large German Wool Blankets. It centered around blankets marked: SS xx/xx RZM.
I believe there are now 4 (5) 'documented' blankets (I know of) with this marking.
~
I have one of two my family had back in the 1960s. They were 'identical', however, I do not remember if the 'maker/date' was the same on both. I received one, and the other was sold by another family member. NUMBERS 1 & 2.
~
From one of the Postings: “The example pictured (NUMBER 3) with the large RZM Number in white is like what I saw once in the past. (NUMBER 4). Hard to imagine someone wasting a good blanket and a good RZM Label to put together a trumped-up SS blanket, especially when a simple rubber stamp would have been adequate to convince most people.”
Along with the attached picture of the ‘folded’ blanket: “An original that I own, without markings. I have a couple like this, both identical. These are not particularly easy to find.”
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Along with the attached picture of the ‘MARKED’ blanket: “I've seen one like this before (NUMBER 5?). As with the example above (folded blanket), there is no doubt the blanket itself is original pre-war issue.”
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And as a last comment; one mentions the ‘RZM Tag’ in a corner, like on mine: “I think the rarely-encountered (and disputed by many) original is in this general style, with the red and blue stripe and RZM tag in the corner, but is that really a gigantic, crookedly-stitched SS/RZM code or is it some sort of optical illusion? Is it chain-stitched?”
~
On my blanket: The ‘RZM Tag’ is ‘hand stitched’ in the corner of the blanket, and there are NO other holes in the tag; i.e. it was not removed from another item and added to the blanket! And answering the inevitable question: Why was it ‘hand stitched’? Simple. Machine stitching would difficult, time consuming and would distort the HEAVY wool material! Mine is Number 3.
I have attached pictures of this blanket which is currently on 'eBay' :

[checkit]

Hello Heron - Many countries used chain stitch embroidery machines to mark their blankets with large property markings - commonly-encountered are the U.S. Marine Corps and Medical Corps blankets done exactly this way - I have probably had a dozen of them.

I asked if the SS/RZM Logo was chain stitched actually as verification - they appear to be chain stitched and in my opinion they SHOULD be machine chain stitched if authentic.

These machines were everywhere in Germany at the time, as they were used to put regimental markings on literally millions of shoulder boards during the first war, as well as other pennant and insignia uses well into WW2 - I think the Germans even invented the friggin' thing.

Not so easy to even find a chain stitch embroidery machine today, so not really a faker's choice for something to do with such a machine if they ever found one.

As for the question that was asked "why would they only mark blankets this way?" - ask yourselves, why did the US only mark blankets this way when a lone label or stamp would suffice as it did for all other contract items?

I do have to admit I am not a fan of an SS/RZM Tag that is roughly hand-stitched to an item, but I am not discounting it either. That is a whole different ball of wax to discuss.

[Heron]

I missed this 'page 2' when I first looked at this tread! This could be the other blanket my family had; since the 'maker / date' mark is the same! However... this blanket is Definitely NOT mine; and neither blanket was "bought back from the war by 'My' father.
I might also mention; how I find several comments berating the authenticity irritating: And how many 'Ex-Perts' (i.e. 'Has Been Drips) on WWll markings are 'out there'!

[checkit]

Here is a US Army Medical Corps blanket - why would they put a big sloppy logo on it, and why put a big date on it? Maybe it was to keep them from being sold on the black market. If people want to question the practice, they are opening a whole can of worms because without question it was done. I have seen this on Russian blankets as well, also Italian I think?

[checkit]

I find several comments berating the authenticity irritating

Once you get past your 500th post you will be quite used to it

[Heron]

Hello Don. Thank you for your quick comments. Everything you pointed out, is of course, correct... including "That is a whole different ball of wax to discuss." A good question is, if 'they' used 'chain stitch embroidering' for the 'maker / date' mark... why was it not used to attach the RZM tag?? Those that could definitely answer 'Yes or No'... are Dead, or 'War... what War?' I could come up with several plausible reasons; but only that ! I do have a bit of knowledge about things that where not uncommon in Germany. I'm 70, and have had over 100 Type 356 Porsches since 1961. During their early years, 1949 -1954 (and more)... NOTHING was 'set in stone'! They did what had to be done; had a left over 1952 part... use it on a 1954 car! Make it work! So... the 'chain stitch embroidering' machine ran out of thread!! Okay, 1st - shoot the person responsible, 2nd - 'get' that Tag ON and 'out the door'!<grin>

[Heron]

"...question the practice, they are opening a whole can of worms because without question it was done." Looks like what 'Rosie the Riveter' did she returned home!

[john alva'e]

11822808_10206798959634054_6936318649088309147_n.jpg 11822632_10206798943433649_795991187771277211_n.jpg 11800357_10206798916192968_2678398642892618351_n.jpg 11011532_10206798953513901_4162455716996545336_n.jpg My ss blanket.

[john alva'e]

73 being the manufacture code and 34 is the date.

[pete]

It's a bit like some other threads...No way this is real/I haven't seen it before/They would never have/inferior design or materials/etc. etc. Now like some other items which are now being bought up behind the scenes by anybody who can logically view history "from the then" and not "the now"- and so now will these ORIGINAL blankets. We are indeed blessed by the increased information sharing possibilities that the internet gives in some ways that were just not possible for other collecting generations!

Pete

[john alva'e]

Pete, I agree. I have been Collecting 40 + years along with researching items. I have some more information I will publish soon when I can find it.

[kevin john]

Excuse me sir, but with all due respect what is your opinion based upon? Please show me one authentic example where the Reichszeugmeisterei sowed it's trademark and the manufacture code directly onto an item rather than using some sort of tag or another known method. Seriously, you may well be inclined to consider it good, but unless you have evidence of that or are willing to provide the financial means for the inquiring member, it would probably be best if you refrained from making such a comment. Does nobody realize how "advice" with absolutely no merit behind it whatsoever can hurt the novice collector? It's difficult enough collecting SS material as it is, members don't need someone blatantly guessing whether a item is real or not too.

+1