Apologies to JohnPic but here comes some more black....

I thought I would show my first SS mannequin...a guard soldier in the Leibstandarte AH. He's not finished yet but I believe there is enough here to give you an idea of how it's coming along. I still need some more bits and pieces to finish him and the two others off.

What do you think of the mannequin? I decided to simply use a body form and construct a helmet stand on the neck block. I tend to favour this look since it is more museum-like and allows the viewer to concentrate on the uniform. I find that full body mannequins usually draw the eye up to the face...which is only human nature. Furthermore, I have yet to find a mannequin face and pose that I would be happy with as an SS guard. Opinions??

Other side of mannequin...

Darryl,

An absolutely stunning display which makes me extremelly envious.
Congrats on a wonderful SS uniforms and can only dream to have such a display in my house.

I think your guard just has NO HEAD for this stuff!!!

Tim

Excellent display. I also like this type of display(museum style display)
Looks great.

Joe Semen

wow wow superb display.....a nice BLACK guard.congrat

Thats a magnificent display, It's stunning!!

If you ever deside to have a head, I will paint and detail it any way you want, FREE OF CHARGE, my payment will be my contribution to display this wonderfull pieces of SS militaria.

All the best,
Federico

Great display Darryl

And I agree,people who I have showed my collection to (especially women) tend to focus on the mannequins face which some find a bit "creepy"

It tends to take away from the artifacts being displayed.

Glenn

Looks great Darryl.

Beautiful Display, I will post a picture of My LAH guard soon so stay tuned.LAH later wore Gray too so theyre ok in my book.

Outstanding Darryl. Helmets were nice but that has the "awe" factor as we discussed. Now, a nice sword and knot would finish it off nicely. Save the dagger for the black uniform. Can't wait to see it in the flesh. cheers, Ryan

Here standing guard over my small collection.

Darryl,

Very impressive and not-common display.

I'm a collector of full equipt lifelike mannequins because of their great looks and display.
My meaning is that your SS-guard don't need any mannequin because your set-up posses a lot of charisma.

Hi Darryl,
Great display, I see you are still hooked on the Black.
Tonym

quote:

Originally posted by tonym:
Hi Darryl,
Great display, I see you are still hooked on the Black.
Tonym

Hi Tony,

Always have been...always will be.

Thijs,

Thanks for the comment. I tried to set the mannequin up in a typical SS guard pose. Unfortunately the store-mannequins of today tend to resemble a segment of our society both in facial features and in standing pose which does not suit the military look. If anyone knows a product that does have a military bearing I would be pleased to hear about them. I know of the Webster mannequins but their product's legs are not far enough apart for the look I desire...and they are just a little too short.

Cheers,

quote:

Originally posted by darryl:
I decided to simply use a body form and construct a helmet stand on the neck block. I tend to favour this look since it is more museum-like and allows the viewer to concentrate on the uniform.

Great Display!

I think you made the proper choice as to the neck block thing as 99% of the heads we collectors use detract from the display as they are so hideous looking.

This is one classy looking display.

Thanks again for all the generous comments. Here is a picture of the stance (or pose) that I am seeking to emulate. This photo is taken from a book on the Neue Reichskanzlei and shows LAH guards at the entrance to AH's office.

A beautiful display you have Darryl, gratulations !

It's magnificent!!!! On craig gottliebs site you can buy the white belt and y-straps!!!! Only a little expensive..... But then you have an absolute rarety!!!

Greetings

Berend,

Yes, I saw that set on Craig's site. Unfortunately the buckle is a repro so there would be another $500 or $600 USD outlay to replace that little item. In addition, I have heard that some unscrupulous individuals have been using original Police white belts which are marked Fischer 1937 and adding little SS runes to jack up the price. I am not saying Craig's are this way but I don't feel like spending 4k+ for something I could not be 100% sure of.

Cheers,

Very nice display Darryl!

PVON

Outstanding display!

Kneebuckling and awesome! Beautifully executed Darryl...he is one bad boy.

Robert

Very impressive Darryl! A beautiful display.

Congratulations on an outstanding display Darryl! You put our Royal Canadian War Museum to shame.

Cheers,
Asper

Hi Asper, welcome to the forum. Darryl's diplay is superb as you have stated, but the War Museum in Ottawa is one of the finest in the world for the way in which it presents. I have spoke to many that have attended the new building and have yet to receive a bad review. Believe me they have items in storage that have been donated that would astound you (and I mean German)cheers and regards, Ryan

Indeed, very impressive Darryl.

Here's my mannequin form decked out in another SS outfit...an Oberscharfuhrer with SS Standarte 73 (Ansbach), Sturm 5 in full marching order. I am still missing an early set of K98 ammo pouches and a black mess kit for the back of the tornister.

Thanks to a friend I now have a black RZM mess kit on the way. All of the components are either RZM and/or SS-RZM marked. The M16 helmet is another example...different from the first mannequin (LAH) shown in this thread.

As some of you may have noticed, I have recently stained the wooden neck-block helmet stand with a water-based black stain. It is non-toxic and gives off no odour or fumes. The black colour allows the stand to blend in with its surroundings and not be so obvious.

Cheers,

Here's a slightly different view from above showing the SS/RZM tagged early grey zeltbahn...a very nice and rare accoutrement which I acquired from a friend at the SOS last year. He's the kind fellow who is sending me the black mess kit (thanks, Robert )

Cheers,

Hi Darryl,,,,,,,,,,,, Wonderful display and great hard to find "kit" and the form is so very life like.The LAH ensemble couldnt have gone to a nicer gentleman collector.The little item I told you about is now on its way to Canada.
Regards,,,,,,,,,,,, Stephen

Great display Darryl.


Joe Semen

Helmets were nice but these babies are outstanding. I think that you have to agree Darryl. Really nice to look at and complete. So much more to enjoy and inspect. Now get at least one dagger and/or NCO sword. Also awaiting the tunic and visor ensemble. cheers, Ryan

Outstanding Darryl!

Very life like!

Not easy for sure!

PVON

Very nice dispaly with this two black great coats. The number 73 is really a nice coat !
The right tasty equipment is really hard to get these days. Nice stuff you have Darryl !

Great displays..pleasure to view.

Wonderful mannequin beautifully displayed.

Darryl..I like the black stain to the wood very much.despite my liking of mannequin faces..Im now very convinced you did the right thing omitting the face...it is really very attractive and
appealing just as is...and as you said, the face would draw away from the set...its a very powerful display as presented!!

Thanks again, everyone. I am presently waiting on two more body form mannequins. Once they arrive and I make my modifications I will post the three ensembles altogether. I think it will be rather impressive so please stand by.

Stephen...thanks. Looking forward to whatever shows up.

Ryan...I don't have a black visor cap. All three mannequins will be under black steel helmets.

Cheers,