Bundesgrenzschutz-Polizei Patches 2001 - 2005

Today I have another set of Bundesgrenzschutz patches that come from the very last chapter of the Bundesgrenzschutz.

In 2001, the BGS made their final reorganization and uniform change before they were officially renamed in 2005 as the Bundespolizei.  During the 2001 - 2005 time period, the BGS basically wore the standard German Federal Police uniform.  The last of the old Bundesgrenzschutz unique items were a thing of the past.  The rank structure as well as the shoulder boards became the standard police style worn throughout Germany.  The shoulder patches were also changed to a Police Green background with yellow embroidery.  The work POLIZEI was also added above the Federal Eagle.

The set I am showcasing today are new and unissued.

Here is a quick shot of a few Bundesgrenzschutz officers "working the crowd" during this 2001 - 2005 transition period:

Sea Scout Ship Viking, SSS-601, ex-USCG Motor Life Boat 44372

Sea Scout Ship VIKING,  ex-USCG 44372

Awhile back, when I was doing some research into the whereabouts of the old 44 foot Motor Life Boats that I served on in the 1980's, I discovered that one of the boats, the USCG 44372, is now a Sea Scout Boat down in Portland, Oregon!


http://eastpdxnews.com/community-resource/sea-scouts-offer-on-the-water-fun-leadership-skills/

I got in contact with the command of the City of Roses, Sea Scout group (SSS-601), and sent them a batch of photos of the old 44372 from my time on her back in 1984-1986, at USCG Station Grays Harbor.  They in turn, hooked me up with two of their uniform hats for the crew of the SSS-601 Viking, and two coffee mugs with the unit legend and a great line drawing of the old 44372.

Here are a few photos of the wonderful gifts:

Here is a link to the Sea Scout web page that features the SS-601 VIKING / USCG 44372:

http://www.sss601.org/44/index.html

The Sea Scouts have some great photo albums of the old 44372 on their site as well.  Be sure to check out the great albums at this link:


http://www.sss601.org/photos.html

I won't go into my complete history with the 44372 on this blog posting, but if you'd like to read a bit more about the years this boat and I spent together at USCG Station Grays Harbor, and see some great "vintage" photos, head on back to my previous posting:

http://sharky-fourbees.blogspot.com/2011/12/uscg-station-grays-harbor-1984-1986-my.html

USCG Station Grays Harbor 1984-86, 44372 (That's me in the photo!)

Here is one closing note to hopefully clarify the naming and organizational system system for the Sea Scouts.  The Sea Scouts are part of the Boy Scouts of America.  The Sea Scouts are organized into chapters called "Ships".  In the case of the Portland, Oregon group, the city name is "City of Roses", which is the nickname for Portland, and the group designator is "SSS-601", or "Sea Scout Ship 601".  Their actual "ship" is the Viking.  The Sea Scouts are a co-ed group for young people, aged 14-20 and their adult advisers. 
To finish up this posting, I would like to leave you with a video that was produced by the City of Roses SSS-601 crew of Portland, Oregon.  Enjoy!

Bahnpolizei Patch and Shoulder Boards, 1984 - 1992, BOS im BP-Dienst

For today's posting, I'll be showing off a new addition to my collection, courtesy of a friend and fellow collector in Berlin.  This set is from the uniform of an officer in the German Bahnpolizei, or German Federal Railroad Police.

This shoulder patch and shoulder board style was adopted in 1984, after the Bahnpolizei was reorganized and new uniforms were adopted.  These remained in service until the Bahnpolizei was absorbed by the Bundesgrenzschutz.  Here is a link to a pretty good site that has tons of photos and information on the uniforms and service of the Bahnpolizei from 1953 to 1992.  The site is a bit jumbled, but it is filled with good info.

http://www.bahnpolizeiderdb.de.tl/Uniformen--s--Abzeichen.htm

The shoulder boards are for an officer with the rank of BOS im BP-Dienst., or Bundesbahn Obersekretär in the Bahnpolizei Service.  The buttons are the standard federal uniform type.

Here is the complete album of this Bahnpolizei set:

Here are a few service photos of BP officers from the late 1980's to 1992:

United States Coast Guard Ensign - Flag, USCG Station Grays Harbor 1984 - 1986

While going through my old "sea chest", of my old service things, I found this flag tucked into the bottom layers of my USCG uniforms.  This flag is an original United States Coast Guard Ensign.  This flag flew from the flag pole in the front of USCG Station Grays Harbor while I was stationed there from 1984 - 1986.

As you can see from the condition of the flag, the weather at Grays Harbor really takes a toll on flags!  This flag will give you a real glimpse of what a field station's flag often looks like.......... not necessarily bright and shinny like you would think!

Here are two excellent links to information pages. One on USCG Station Grays Harbor and one about the USCG Ensigns:

http://www.uscg.mil/d13/sectcolrvr/units/graysharbor.asp

http://www.uscg.mil/history/articles/Coast_Guard_Flags.asp


And here are the photos of the original USCG Station Grays Harbor ensign:

Hungarian M49/82 Camoflage Zeltbahn - Poncho, Updated Research Information

I was contacted by a former member of the Hungarian Army  a few days ago regarding my camo zeltbahn.  He served as a Regular Army Engineer until 1994.

He commented that the zelt was the first piece of equipment that was issued to the new conscripted soldier.  He said that as an Engineer, his unit had larger walled tents with aluminum frames whereas, the conscripted soldiers serving their compulsory time, were required to used the zeltbahn tents. I guess it paid to be a regular soldier in Hungary and not a conscripted one!

This veteran referred me to an amazing Hungarian website that documents the old Hungarian uniforms and equipment up to 1945.  In the center of each subject page, there is a window where you can select the translation language.  I know that my zelt dates to the late 1980's, but much of the photos and information on the site still applies.  I highly recommend this site! 

http://militiahungarorum.extra.hu/terkep_en.html

http://militiahungarorum.extra.hu/1920_e_f_l_s_8.html

 Here are a few pictures from the site showing how the zeltbahns were rolled for storage and attachment to the field pack:

Additionally, here are the links to my original M49/82 Camoflage Zeltbahn blog postings:


http://sharky-fourbees.blogspot.com/2011/10/hungarian-m4982-camoflage-zeltbahn.html

http://sharky-fourbees.blogspot.com/2011/10/hungarian-m4982-zeltbahn-poncho-set-up.html

http://sharky-fourbees.blogspot.com/2011/10/hungarian-m4982-zeltbahn-poncho.html

Zoll Photos, Post-War 1940's to 1980, Wenland Archive

For today's posting, I'll be revisiting the Wenland Archive of photos to show off a batch of very unique German Zoll (Bundeszollverwaltung,  Federal Customs Police) photos.  The photos show some very seldom seen shots of uniforms from the early post-war years, and some very rare early color photos.

These officers were assigned to areas directly on the border.  They lived and worked in their assigned area, very much like a US Resident Deputy Sheriff would.  They manned the border crossings and patrolled the immediate border, often with their iconic Zoll Dogs.  They were Germany's "eyes and ears on the border".

Here is a link over to the Wenland Archive website:  http://www.wendland-archiv.de/

One of the photos shows a Zoll officer leaning against a bicycle.  The photo is dated 1959.  The photo description says that the officer is saying goodbye to family before returning to the border.  The interesting thing about this bicycle, is that it is nearly identical to my early BGS bicycle.  The most distinct similarity is the rear rack...... identical to mine!  My BGS bicycle has 1949 dated hubs and a 1960 saddle......this Zoll photo is dated 1959...... I don't know if the bicycle in the photo is a private bicycle or a service bicycle, but it certainly confirms that my BGS bike fits that early post-war service time frame!  I suspect that the bicycle in the photos is a Zoll Dienstrad, (Customs Service Bicycle).

Here are a couple of comparison photos of my BGS bicycle.......the green color of my bicycle would also be correct for Police or Zoll.

I'll let the photos speak for themselves........ enjoy:

1961

1949

1950

1960

1961

1965

1975

1980

1980