UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Helmet Forum Rare sniper camo netting

Just want to show this first pattern sniper camo netting.
It seems they are very rare.
(belongs to a collectors-friend of me and the netting came many years ago right out of the woodwork)

pic 2

pic 3

pic 4

i dont have any reference on this piece,
so if real(let other people judge) it sure is scarce

MArc

Not to say it isn't real. Sure would be nice to see a period picture of one. Nevertheless, just because there might not be a period picture of one doesn't mean it never existed. There are almost no pics of Stained-glass camoed WWI helmets.

Hello

Never saw before. A wartime picture would help me to believe this existed. Looks very minty/new to me tough.

best regards
Nick H

THAT is supposed to give camoflage? I doubt that this is an issued item. If original it looks more like something a bored German soldier put together killing time. I still question the camoflage value of some single strings of white rope. From my own military perspective, it looks absolutely worthless in that respect.

Erik

are there corks on the end???

I'd like to make a couple of points here:

In times of war, most nations give their enemies nicknames. Today, they are seen as insulting, so it is best not to use them as we are an international forum.

The purpose of camo, if I remember my instructor correctly, is to break up images and outlines so the enemy will not see familiar shapes. While most camo uniforms were issued and are predictable, much of the helmet camo, like vehicle camo, was made up on the spot.

Whether the example shown is real, I could not say, but I am sure that the experts will chime in.

Dave

quote:

I am sure that the experts will chime in.

Dave

Hmmm sorry to say but I don't think there are any experts in that

Opppssss... I just realized that I have been "edited". I am sorry if anyone felt bad. For the record, it was not meant in a negative way.

About camo, it has several purposes. One is to break the silouete of the soldier. When a sniper wears a ghilie suit, or a helmet net is stuffed with twigs and leafs, it is for this purpose. Same for a vehicle that is covered by a camo net. Camo can also be used to change colors of an object to make it blend in with the surroundings. Examples of this would be the SS camo smocks, facial paint (as being used today), or a regulation SS sniper weil (which covers the face). I just don't see that the above "veil" serves any of these purposes. It may be period, and I have no way to determine that. But I don't see that it had any purpose as camoflage.

Erik

The netting came from a little village in the Arnhem-area where it was left behind by SS-troops who defended that village. It was left behind together with a pair of Italian WW II army-shoes (!!) and german equipment.
It was brought to my collectors-friend museum by people where these items where left behind.

I never saw one before either but this one is period used, hanging the story behind it.

The end of the little ropes hanging before the face, are little knotts (rope).

It seemed to me it was a rare and not common camo-netting and that's the reason (together with the story behind it) , I shared it with you.
(it is absolute not for sale so it isn't a selling story and my opinion: if it was never seen before doesn't mean it's junk or never excisted !!)

For those who thought that string masks never excisted, just for the idea.

This one was a vet brought back and belonged to a 17 SS Panz.Grenadier who was killed at Carentan 1944.
(I borrowed this pic from a 101 airborne site)

Hello Thijs

I know those ss face masks.
Do you think this is factory made or more fieldmade?

best regards
Nick H

Don't get me wrong. I never said that I believe it is a fake. What I said is that it appears to be some fieldmade contraption and that I doubted its camoflage value. It is miles away from the standard SS issue camo veil shown, which actually completely hides the face. Are you sure it is to mount on a helmet and that it possibly didn't serve any other purpose? Its crude construction made out of hamp rope also does not suggest an issue item.

Erik

Well it could be field made I have never seen one like that before but if I do I will recognise it. May be it was meant to be dirted up a little. As a sniper you had to be prepared for all different targeting positions around the Arnhem area there were many towns & villages. He could be in a top window and its a curtain sniper mask who knows?Its is interesting though ,thanks for shareing. Pete

Maybe it is a field made camo-netting, I realy don't know. The fact is the story where this one was found.

I can't imagine wich other purpose it can have if it was not mounted on a helmet.
It maybe will be a secret for ever.