Interesting skis ...

[Kriuks]

Hi all,

Are these skis German WWII or not?

W/r,
Kriuks

[BergführerKiser]

Servus Skikameraden,

Period type ski...can't say if they are German or not...this was the basic type of ski made by just about everyone from the 1900-1950's.




Ski Heil und Horrido!

Patrick

[Enzian]

Hello-

Very nice skis! Apparently nicely preserved and cared for.

Where did you get them? USA? Europe? Knowing their source would help with identifying them. I would be inclined to agree with the other post that says they are period skis; I would estimate them to be the earlier part of 20th century due to the sculpted forward tops (to repel snow buildup), the elevated binding base, and the crust-cutter tips. By the time of the 30s-40s, these details were fading from ski construction.

Take a look at Bruce Quarrie's book, German Mountain Troops. Many photos of skis and equipment in this book. Pay special attention to illustration on page 36.

Also of help: James Lucas books Alpine Elite and Hitler's Mountain Troops.

Wishing you luck,

Enzian

[Kriuks]

Where did you get them? USA? Europe?

They're from Estonia, Europe. They're very similar to the WWII skis that I have seen on the pictures but these stripes on the ski sides feel too weird.

[christof]

I dont know if these skis are german or not but there look like older than WW II period. No steel edge on the side end look pre Kandahar time binding. For me around 1920/30.

[BergführerKiser]

Grüß Di' Skikameraden,

Here are a few Gebirgsjäger and period skis in my collection:
















Ski Heil und Horrido!

Patrick

[FestungSpanien]

Nice collection, Patrick You never cease to amaze me and I use you collection as a reference!!!

As for the skis posted in the beggining of this thread I would say that they are period.
If not manufacturer's marking is present, it would be hard to determine nationality, but apparently from the pictures provided they seem to have a square cut base, as opossed to rounded bottom surface of civilian ones.
As war went on, german issue skis painted in white with a green stripe were scarce, so at the end of the war they used whatever it was available, down to civilian skis donated by the german citizens.
I have a white with green stripes WaAmed pair and a white without green stripes WaAmed pair.
In period pictures you can see almost any kind of skis in used by the GJ and Jäger.
Maybe yours were stripped off white paint post war?

Horrido!
Ace

[Simon O.]

Civilian skis were bought or requisitioned from the first easternfront winter. Skis were also not restricted to ski or GJ units, any unit that had a requirement for them might be issued skis.

A litte point of interest, that small projection on the tip of the ski is for the attachment of skins which aides in going uphill and act as a break going down.

[BergführerKiser]

A litte point of interest, that small projection on the tip of the ski is for the attachment of skins which aides in going uphill and act as a break going down.

Have to endure the climb to enjoy the downhill run!





Also note that two different types of skis were used by the army...the alpine type ski which could be used for both cross-country and downhill skiing...and the nordic, or flatland, type ski which was used only for cross-country skiing.






Ski Heil und Horrido!

Patrick