Double Decal SS Transitional - A Real Unicorn!
I first learned of this one when it surfaced in North Carolina about 5 or 6 years ago, found in a junk shop. *I was trying to get it for years, and lo and behold…. Anyway, here it is, a double decal SS transitional with an Austrian Party shield and a MIRROR RUNIC SHIELD! *There is one other known to exist, the one on Billy’s site. *I have been told there is another in a private collection in Oregon, but no one I know knows for sure if it is true. *And this one. *Someone defaced the decals, but fortunately, tired of the exercise while they were still in decent shape. *This one is put together exactly like the one on Billy’s site, an Austrian shell, an Austrian civic style liner with a dome pad, the same color, the same decals, and, like Billy’s example, it has a neck stamped size ink stamp, and what I believe to be a unit designation. *On this one the unit mark is "I 1 W". *I believe the Roman numeral "I" to be*a Unit/district designation, the arabic number "1" to be a company designation, and I believe*the "W" is for Wien - Vienna. *There are only theories as to why the runes are reversed. *Some think it is a misprint. *Others think mirror runes were printed to be used on double runic SS helmets with the "mirror" runes to be placed on the left of the helmet*so that both sets of runes point forward. *Still others think these were of Austrian manufacture, and printed at some point between 1936 and 1938, after the Schutzstaffel was outlawed in Austria in 1936 and before the Anschluss.* I lean towards the third theory. *Anyway, here it is. *I can’t believe I was able to land this one! *Hope you like it. *Jim G.
