LAH direction sign

[jvanzo]

I saw books and plaques on this forum, so maybe the moderator will please let this item slide by? I wasn't getting any feedback from the Panzer forum.

It is a 1st SS Panzer Division tactical direction sign for a field hospital. The museum label on the back says "harkov (Kharkov?) Historical Museum, with various control numbers. I got it off eBay during the Yetsin era when everyone was selling off excess museum pieces to raise hard currency. It is weather worn and faded, but still cool.

It is so unusual, I have no idea as to its value. Any estimates? Thank you for your opinion.

[jvanzo]

Here's the museum inventory label

[Ian Hulley]

Sorry but this is highly questionable.

Ian

[bwanek1]

Originally Posted by Ian Hulley

Sorry but this is highly questionable.

Ian

Agreed.

In my opinion, the material and method of construction is absurd for such an item's supposed purpose.

As for the "museum" marks, do you think that a country which destroyed items of real historical significance related to the TR in huge quantities preserved such a relatively meaningless piece for posterity?

[jvanzo]

Perhaps some of the forum readers are too young to remember the golden year or two when all sorts of original militaia came out of the East right after the collapse of communism, when everyone from Yeltsin on down was selling off the riches of Russia at 10 cents to the dollar.

I purchased this directly from the Ukraine. The vendor had several items from the same museum. All items were absolutley original. Even small Soviet towns had little museums dedicated to the Great Patriotic War, filled with items found locally after the war. Can't you imagine a diarama or mannequin with this as background? I have visited several military museums with this sort of display in the USA and Europe.

A large division like LAH would have to post many, many tactical signs for each employment position. There was no doubt a high loss rate of these signs, especially with rapid movement. What else would these signs be made of except scraps of local materials, hastily painted and stenciled? What type of material do you think a mid-war tactical sign should be constructed of?

[bwanek1]

Originally Posted by jvanzo

Perhaps some of the forum readers are too young to remember the golden year or two when all sorts of original militaia came out of the East right after the collapse of communism, when everyone from Yeltsin on down was selling off the riches of Russia at 10 cents to the dollar.

I purchased this directly from the Ukraine. The vendor had several items from the same museum. All items were absolutley original. Even small Soviet towns had little museums dedicated to the Great Patriotic War, filled with items found locally after the war. Can't you imagine a diarama or mannequin with this as background? I have visited several military museums with this sort of display in the USA and Europe.

A large division like LAH would have to post many, many tactical signs for each employment position. There was no doubt a high loss rate of these signs, especially with rapid movement. What else would these signs be made of except scraps of local materials, hastily painted and stenciled? What type of material do you think a mid-war tactical sign should be constructed of?

This is typical of the bogus crap that anyone could buy all over eastern Europe in the late 80's and early 90's. It all came with a similar story and it was all bogus.

[Massimo F.]

Originally Posted by bwanek1

This is typical of the bogus crap that anyone could buy all over eastern Europe in the late 80's and early 90's. It all came with a similar story and it was all bogus.

Exactly!

[jvanzo]

Any forum members out there with verified original tactical signs out there who would like to share pictures of them? How about pics of known repro tactical signs to compare with mine?

[SJP]

Here's what the original looked like.

The other 3 in the photo were probably available also.
__________________________________________________ ______
Cheers Steve

[Richard P]

Originally Posted by SJP

Here's what the original looked like.

The other 3 in the photo were probably available also.
__________________________________________________ ______
Cheers Steve

Steve,

The TK Field Hospital sign looks especially thick....I'd like one of those please!

Richard

[Ian Hulley]

Originally Posted by jvanzo

Perhaps some of the forum readers are too young to remember the golden year or two when all sorts of original militaia came out of the East right after the collapse of communism,

Yep, of course I remember it, I also remember that there were a great many people in the East (and elsewhere) who turned into overnight entrepeneurs knocking this stuff out by the lorry load. They're probably at it right now as we speak, making other bogus crap.

Ian.

[jvanzo]

I agree with everything you guys said about the flood of repros from the East. Engraved cigarette cases with SS or U-boat insignia seem especially prevalent, as well as hand carved wood items, not to mention the high quality fake badges; a bunch of stuff is being cranked out to this day.

Having said that, there WAS a lot of good stuff that came out during that brief period when communism collapsed and everyone scrambled to sell off assets for hard foreign currency. For instance, I scored a beautiful M40 combat tunic with Czech film company stamps during that same time.

In regards to the LAH sign, it had 40 years of age on it when I bought it 20 years ago. I'm absolutely convinced it's an original, and I think if you could hold it in your hand and examine it in person you would be convinced, too. But since that's not possible, I'll have to somehow struggle through life burdened by the knowlege of your skepticism.

[bwanek1]

Originally Posted by jvanzo

I agree with everything you guys said about the flood of repros from the East. Engraved cigarette cases with SS or U-boat insignia seem especially prevalent, as well as hand carved wood items, not to mention the high quality fake badges; a bunch of stuff is being cranked out to this day.

Having said that, there WAS a lot of good stuff that came out during that brief period when communism collapsed and everyone scrambled to sell off assets for hard foreign currency. For instance, I scored a beautiful M40 combat tunic with Czech film company stamps during that same time.

In regards to the LAH sign, it had 40 years of age on it when I bought it 20 years ago. I'm absolutely convinced it's an original, and I think if you could hold it in your hand and examine it in person you would be convinced, too. But since that's not possible, I'll have to somehow struggle through life burdened by the knowlege of your skepticism.

Paraphrase: "I managed to find the real items in a vast sea of fakes; I know mine is real, because it looks really old."

Sorry, that might be enough to convince you, but you will have a tough time convincing anyone else with just that.

By the way, I don't seem to see any nail holes in that "well-used" and "weathered" sign.

[HERMSDORF]

@bwanek;
I see Nail holes

IMO the Sign looks Great, maybe we should use the XR Fact

With Friendly Regards

Andy

[bwanek1]

Originally Posted by HERMSDORF

@bwanek;
I see Nail holes

I stand corrected. I guess it must be real then. You couldn't fake that!