Allgemeine Mantel ?

[Lorenzo123]

This mantel looks too new to me. It weighs aboout 12 pounds. It is black with white piping which I have never seen before. I cannot asertain the rank either. But I'm somewhat new and have much to learn. Any help would be appreciated. L

[BOB COLEMAN]

Hello Lorenzo-
Many collectors, both new and old, make the mistake of calling any black garment of the SS "Allgemeine." The Allgemeine SS was the general branch of the SS. The black uniform was worn by all facets of the SS. This tunic is supposed to represent a NCO on the staff of Dachau, a part of the Totenkopf Verbande. The insignia is not period original. The totenkopf looks constipated! I wou8ld stay clear of this piece.
Best regards,
Bob

[BOB COLEMAN]

another point on this mantel is that as a NCO rank, it should have twisted silver and black piping. Note the difference between the piping on the tunic with the real tab and the sloppy appearance of the piping on the mantel. Silver piping was reserved for officer ranks. Attached are two pictures of genuine Totenkopf collar tabs for your reference.

[Friedrich-Berthold]

To add to what Bob C. has generously shown, the following:

[Friedrich-Berthold]

Of further note...

[Frog]

Couple of additional correct NCO tabs.

As discussed recently on this forum, there is (what appears to be) a nice mantel on Peter Jenkins' site.

[Friedrich-Berthold]

The quality of reference service rendered here far exceeds the dorky, puerile, cyber bully snake pit place, that is for sure...

sapere aude.

[Friedrich-Berthold]

There are few places with more authentic regalia of this type than here.

[Friedrich-Berthold]

There are few places with more authentic regalia of this type than here.

[Friedrich-Berthold]

Are there?