SARGE Posted November 25, 2018 Share #1 Posted November 25, 2018 I picked up an East German Volkspolizei trumpet banner at SOS last year that I thought I would show. German Polizei have used trumpet banners since the early NS times and the DDR followed the same trend. These trumpets were used by Police Bands for public performances, parades, etc. and the long trumpets had these banners attached to them. This banner has a red side and a green side and is attached to the trumpet with ties. The banner is fringed and the VP star insignia is embroidered bullion. There is also a photograph of these banners in use at a public concert put on by the Volkspolizei (MdI) band or orchestra. The color photo comes from a Volkspolizei produced coffee table book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted November 26, 2018 Share #2 Posted November 26, 2018 Neat item. That would add to a display very nicely. I've been drawn to East German items lately... perhaps because I spent 2 1/2 years as their unwelcome neighbor! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulR Posted November 26, 2018 Share #3 Posted November 26, 2018 I love the chain stitching in that banner. It's not the cheesy printed stuff I was anticipating when I first clicked on the link. I was lucky enough to score some really cool uniforms about 20 years ago. I look forward to seeing your collection at some point in the near future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SARGE Posted November 26, 2018 Author Share #4 Posted November 26, 2018 Thanks for the kudos gents. Gil, I was in Germany just after the fall of the wall in 1990 and did a ride-along with the Berlin Police. You were not the only unhappy camper there. The East German VP was largely absorbed by the West German Police and nobody was very thrilled with that arrangement. The old DDR commanders were replaced by senior West German Policemen and when I was in Dresden most of the street cops and admin were still Osties trying to make the best out of a bad mix. In Berlin West German cops would not drive the Trabant Police cars and East German cops were largely doing "Traffic Cop" duties on foot until they could be re-trained. Paul, yes the chain stitching style changes are very clever and make the star three-D as it moves. The same way they made the WWII Police trumpet banners. The early East German uniforms, and equipment, from the 1940s and 1950s have become almost impossible to get in the US and it is actually scarce in Germany. You know that DDR stuff is collectible when they start to fake it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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