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I bought an armband and tested it for the black light test and it didn't pass. I tested it after for the burn test and it passed. What is the armband? Fake or not fake? I haven't had this happen yet so looking forward to what you think it is....

Printed late ware armbands WILL GLOW UNDER BLACK LIGHT TEST. I have found SEVERAL, directly from WW2 veteran's stashes returned at the end of the war, that glow. Also, some Panzer Army piped shoulder boards and collar tabs glow due to the pink dye used during the period. So, Black Ligths are NOT the end all be all test, just another guide to be used in your evaluation IMO.

This is good to know. I thought the theory of printed armbands were that printed armbands were early. This is interesting to hear. I know the black light doesn't work with everything but I was just checking. Thanks for your help!

You will find printed armbands early, and printed arm bands late..no matter the period, it was always a price point concern any way you look at it.

Thanks for your help. The armband was a DRK armband that wasn't printed. Should of said that to begin with and was found original on WAF

yes you'll find printed early and late,,but you'll see more insignia printed by late war...

I've heard if the piece has been washed even once post war with our current detergents it could also glow. Can anyone confirm?

Yes, that is correct. The "whiteners & brighteners" in modern detergents will cause a glow under black light. So will cloth items that have been dry cleaned. The worst example I have ever seen was an SS uniform vet acquired from his attic that was crusty dirty. After being cleaned, it lit up like a Christmas tree.

Yes, certain surfactants as well as camphor (and in the case of dry cleaning perchloroethylene) will glow like a Christmas tree when exposed to UV light.

perchloroethylene is also really, really bad for you as it is a known carcinogen.

Here was the armband btw.....
http://phpstack-500133-1583587.cloudwaysapps.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=285422#Post285422

Vern, Doug;
Thanks for the information. I acquired an original Imperial Naval white tropical tunic. Someone had managed to get yellow spray construction adhesive all over it. Only choice was to use Goof Off and then I soaked it in cold water with a bit of laundry detergent to get the remaining residue out. This thing now glows like an alien space ship in a bad 1950's scifi movie. I regret that but it was not at all attractive or useful otherwise. Now I know why it glows.
I have heard that if you use Ivory Soap that it does not contain these modern surfactants and will not cause cloth to glow. Can anyone confirm?
Regards,

Rick

Best bet is to go to your local fabric store and pick up a yard of natural cotton or unbleached muslin. Take your portable black light along to check the fabric in the store. Cut it into strips and test your soap or detergent. I've heard that Woolite is safe to use, along with some of the "natural" soaps, but you never know when they will decide to add something to make it "new and improved"

Thanks Vern. Good ideas. Much appreciated.
Rick

I have heard that you can soak the cloth item in cold water and Woolite overnight, rinse well, then launder repeatedly with a mild natural detergent and eliminate a lot of the glow, but I've never tried it. Of course this wouldn't work with modern fabrics but may make an interesting experiment with a known good item after checking the Woolite and detergent with a non-glowing cloth strip.

This is some good info Vern!

I am thinking that it may be a real armband but it could be a later; 1950-1060s one. The DRK still exists today.

I would not expect a 3rd Reich armband of that style of embroidery to glow at all.

and "washed" glow is a bit different, more even, and less eye popping than the glow you see on synthetic post war materials.

So this style of armband was used post ww2?

I can't say if it was or wasn't but the Organization existed after WWII. (still does) so maybe. Worth further research.

I knew about the DRK still existing but I have always wondered if this armband was used post war because there are no NS symbols on it so it could be possible without knowing...