UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories SS & SA Uniform Forum SS Officers' Cape

I thought I would post this photograph as it seems to me that there has been little or no period informative material posted on this SS forum for absolutely ages. Unfortunately a once excellent discussion arena now resembles a militaria version of the stock market.
Nonetheless, pictures of the cape especially with the clasps are extremely rare and so it was marvellous to find this example. If anyone has other images it would be great to see them
Derek

Very nice image. This is Admiral Horthy,the Hungarian leader, together with Goering at Karinhall in 1938 or 1939?

You are so correct, Derek. We don't often see threads which are solely meant to educate and/or create simple historical collector discussion. I think this is one of the reasons for the exodus of many who were very knowledgeable. Thankfully, yourself and a few others, such as Donald are still here to keep things focussed.

Great photo by the way. I don't have it handy but the only other period photo of an SS cape being worn that I recall is a fairly famous one of Theodor Eicke. I'll see if I can locate it.

Cheers,

Indeed a very rar picture. The cape / Umhang is realy one exclusive dresser. Listed once for 24.90RM. Some collectors have the luck to own such a SS cape.

* photo & ownership: Joe D'Errico collection.



Not too many period photos of the capes out there. I've seen the eagles and the clasps but never altogether as the completed cape.

Darryl, theres a member who has T.E. wearing the cape in a photo album but so far I haven't been able to locate the photo, wish you better luck....

Thanks for sharing info and
starting a good thread!


PVON

I was looking in the wrong place.
* From the Robert Noss collection...
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original topic

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If you read Mollo, there were two kinds, I think: one for rain, and one for formal wear with the mess dress. Please correct me if I am wrong. I think the Karinhall one is the formal one, and Eicke is wearing a rain cape.

Donald,

I believe you are correct. Here is the image I had in mind...it is in Mollo's "A Pictorial History of the SS, 1923 -1945" on page 44. It depicts Eicke (with rain cape?) inspecting a line of pardoned prisoners at Dachau, 19 November 1933.

Eicke seems, from photographs, to have been quite fond of the cloak. This early shot from the same event as above at Dachau shows him wearing one as early as November 1933.
It's hard to tell from Robert Noss's excellent picture but I rather think he is wearing the cloth cloak. The rubberised rain cape Mr. Abenheim mentions looks a little different in photos. I will post a view of that model later today.
The cloth cloak was actually available for all ranks so I don't think it was exclusively a formal garment.
Derek

Forum members, actually there are three patterns of capes, the Rain cape(rubberized ) the formal dress cape, first pattern which was worn with collar tabs only and the final pattern which had the clasp and eagle on the side and no collar tabs. See also Beavers SS books for example and pictures in wear.
jim toncar

Gentlemen,

Capes are very scarce and were not just worn by the Allg.SS of course. They were worn by the police as well Here is a nice photo of a Bavarian Landespolizei Officer wearing a cape around 1935. This photo was shown on page 503 of the Angolia-Taylor German Police book but comes from my collection.

George

Thanks for points of information and marvelous images above. The contributions from the leaders in the field show all that collegiality and historical acumen can do for the seeker of truth. How scarce is such knowledge in so many of the forums nowadays. Vielen Dank!

Donald,

I agree with every word you say. These militaria forums should be for education and the sharing of knowledge. Not for simply trying to find out how much money might be squeezed out of a material culture artifact on any given day.

Here is an example of the Prussian Polizei cape. This Umhang was an item of issue and was worn until the 1936 Polizei uniform changes eliminated it. Not SS but not found on every street corner today either.

George

I just got once one LW officer Umhang, it was a very nice diplay. But I sold it many years ago ...

Dear Colleague, thank you. I am the happy owner of four Nationale Volksarmee capes of a distantly related kind. I give them much use, too. Thank you for the illustration. These items of clothing were used in the army before 1918, as well.

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Gaspare:
That's a great shot of Theodor Eicke wearing a cape.Is that silver piping on his sidecap or just the lighting??

Pablo , that looks like its silver piping...Click on that 'original topic' to see more from Roberts SS photo album.. , G.

Derek , Thank you so much for the image I dont know of another? Also it seems a little vague to me when these should be worn, also why it was worn without rank insignia? I have been very fortunate to find this , I dont
know of another complete original in a collection anywhere?
Thanks again Derek
Anyone know of some trousers!!
cheers
Martin

eagle

clasp

label

closed

cant quite read the name, other than it ends in z and is dated 1939, any hints on bringing the ink up sharper?

Martin,
Im SPEECHLESS,a complete named SS Officers cape
Now I know what you ment about a special item you have coming!!!! Well done on your capture.
Regards Stephen

WOW.. Where did you find such item???

Warm Regards

Darren

Mind-altering!

As to the clarity of the label, get a friend who has PhotoShop or similar foto editing program on their computer to "up" the contrast or use the "curves" control.
Obviously, well done.....
I'd also like to know some have collar insignia, others don't.

Martin,
Is the collar made from "doeskin" or simular and the inside buttons "horn" and any stampings behind the clasps?
Regards,,,,,,,,,,Stephen

PS-If you have any connections with someone who works in a forensic/science lab,there is a test that they can undertake quite easily to show the ink marks.All my colleages like me have retired now, so I cannot help you on that one.

I have photoshop and I tried to enhance the pic, but it was still illegible. A straight on shot or scan would help more. Have you tried using a UV light to see if that brings it out?

Hello,guys, Stephen the collar is the same material as the rest of the cape, the reverse of the clasps is not visible it is fastened between the liner and outer cloth. The buttons
are some natural material, possibly horn, I dont know. Shame your retired!
Jerry tried both UV and infared, UV is the best
however it is the sutterlin script combined with the faded ink, causes most difficulty!
inimicus, will try your suggestion on curves and contrast,
Darren I had the luck to hear about it first and showed serious interest and serious money!
It was not in a collection it was out of the so called woodwork/attic.
Thank you all
Martin

I too am quite impressed with your SS Officer's cape. What a magnificent item! Congratulations.

May I suggest that you attempt to scan the label with the faded ink. Use your scanner settings to darken the image slightly. Perhaps that will yield some better results??

Cheers,

Gratulations that you got the chance to add such a very rar SS cape into your collection.
Do you own also the dress Tuxedo?
Just stunning! Just a view ones are around the globe!

Thanks Darryl will try that
Robert yes the Tuxedo is also mine,its KC winner
Stdf Walter Bestmanns
merry christmas

http://www.hannahsreich.co.uk

I've been playing with the image of the label you posted in Photoshop by adjusting everything from levels to saturation to contrast.

I've been able to read the date as "Januar 193X" and the name is possibly "Heinz(??)" and "XXXXtger" The first letter of the last name looks like either a B or an R.

With a better scan / photo I might be able to tease it out. You could send it to [email protected] if it is too big to post.

Gaspare.that SS bullion eagle you posted on page one has to be the MOST fantastic eagle I've ever seen...I've never seen one like it..and doubt there are many in existence..thanks for sharing..!

Wow..Martin's set is unbelievable..what a sexy a nd fantastic grouping...

Stephen thanks for your diligent work, I will
make better image and take a scan.
Please all watch this space and try to help
I am so gratful for all your help,and kind comments.Will try to post them tomorrow if not
certainly the next day, for now will get back to the festivities
cheers
Martin

Martin,
What a splendid piece, you must be very proud to add this to your collection. I have one question if you don't mind; what is the colour of the facing material on the reverse of the collar? Is it black or white?
Derek

Awesome piece! I tried clearing up the image a little, but I still can't read it. Perhaps someone with experience reading Sutterlin can?