Which came first, the well dressed Nazi, or the American Copper?

Discussion in 'WW2 Militaria' started by von Poop, Feb 6, 2010.

  1. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Chatting to owen & Heimbrent last night, and it seems they'd never heard of this little Internet 'nugget'. I thought it'd been mentioned here before, but apparently not. So I thought I'd throw it out here.

    Does anyone have a clearer perspective on this business?

    Talk:SS uniform - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    need citation for this

    The uniform is a replica of that worn by the Massachusetts State Police. There is speculation that the SS uniform design was suggested by Nazi propagandist Ernst Franz Sedgwick Hanfstaengl a Harvard University graduate and author of many of the school's football fight songs. Hanfstaengl wrote both Brownshirt and Hitler Youth marches patterned after his Harvard football songs and, he later claimed, to have devised the chant, "Sieg Heil". This connection aside, the coincidence is, otherwise, inexplicable. The Massachusetts State Police have not responded to inquiries specific to the similarities--acknowledging this connection would not lend itself well to a positive public image. While no malfeasance exists on the State Police's part, one can imagine the enhanced, satirical characterization of the state troopers as "Nazis" that the media would seize upon.
    Does the above information really require a citation? Isn't it really more of a common sense observation melded with fact from other Wiki pages?
    The Mass State Police winter dress uniform IS exact (other than colors) to the SS uniform. The MSP uniform PRE-DATES Nazism... Everyone knows about the Nazi's who did their undergrad study at Harvard, and subsequent scandals. Must everything be cited?
    As MSP Det. Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) said to a uniformed MSP trooper in 'The Departed,' "Do you like going to work everyday dressed like you're gonna invade Poland?"

    Have a look at these pictures:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    More here:
    Massachusetts State Police (Vintage Photo's)

    And then check your SS (or Brownshirt) Uniform reference.
    The similarities are striking, seemingly exact as far as my not-specially-good-at-uniforms eye can tell.

    The Massachusetts Police uniform came in in 1933 (according to the web).
    Did it inspire an SS uniform? Or is one 1930's outfit as likely to look like another by coincidence?

    ~A
     
  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    This image of the MSP does make me think of something else.

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    This image of the MSP does make me think of something else.

    [​IMG]

    This photograph was taken at a Police Officers Funeral Procession as indicated by the Black bar across the Police Officers Shields or Badges.

    I do agree about the uniform similarities.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Can tell you're an ex-copper, Tom , I didn't see that.

    Here's another one....

    [​IMG]
     
  5. marcus69x

    marcus69x I love WW2 meah!!!

    :lol: They do look rather 'goose-step' like. ;)

    Certainly more than meets the eye behind the design of their uniforms.
     
  6. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    If you have ever tangled with the US police you will soon realise that the relationship with the Nazi Gauleiters is more than co-incidental - 1 mph over the limit will get you hung - drawn - and quartered - they throw the book at visitors then get you again as you leave their town .....for anything !

    Cheers
     
  7. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Look at the Rozzer in the middle of the picture in post 2.
     
  8. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  9. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    He looks like he has this on his boots

    [​IMG]
     
  10. phylo_roadking

    phylo_roadking Very Senior Member

    Never heard of "Putzi"??? :mellow:
     
  11. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Andy, WTF are you on about?
    I thought you menat look at all his medal ribbons??
     
  12. The Q

    The Q Junior Member

    I remmeber seeing on TV, Pre WW2, the American oath of allegience was taken by school children holding their Hand not over their heart, but in an almost Nazi style salute towards the flag, something else in common.

    The Q
     
  13. chrisharley9

    chrisharley9 Senior Member

    Bloody hell they look like something out of Village People
     
  14. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Looks like it's still the dress uniform.
    If I saw these in black & white I'd instantly think I was looking at something else.

    160401_WALKER_02statepolicepic_3489x.jpg

    9004978-large.jpg
     
  15. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    I like the rifles
     
    TTH likes this.
  16. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    Cops who think they are military are a big problem over here.
     
    canuck likes this.
  17. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Blimey
    other way over here lucky to have an unripened banana as a baton
     
    canuck likes this.
  18. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    actually I like these

    [​IMG]
     
  19. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    "What if he has a bunch of bananas?"
     
    canuck, TTH and CL1 like this.
  20. TTH

    TTH Senior Member

    Pointed sticks are deadlier.
     
    Dave55 and CL1 like this.

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