Der Schrank - The Closet - Inside Track | Renault TSF Tank Kent

Our collection includes oddities far beyond the expected vehicle related items. These have been gathered over many years based on rarity and condition and simple interest. Two items worthy of recognition have been in the collection for many years are the large single Schrank and the double Schrank. These were procured in the late 1990s and early 2000s in a very derelict ex East Germany just outside of Berlin. Barracks still stood – many of them still fitted with various items such as personal lockers, cupboards, beds – all hastily repainted in Russian green by their last occupants - apart from those objects far from reach – lights. These slowly disappeared over time as people began to realise the rarity of these items. We were at the time involved in negotiations with individuals to secure vehicle parts within the overall Brandenburg area. These parts were being uncovered by the huge construction work to build new motorways, bridges, railway networks (including stations and carparks) and utilities. We had never seen personal objects such as the two Schrank variants before. Looking at these we were amazed to see the metal name tag slots were still fitted to the front of the cupboards. The green Russian paint was not uniformly painted over the original Wehrmacht grey cupboards. Russian markings were clear to be seen on the cupboards as well. We decided to secure the best examples of both. The Schrank did not take long to arrive here at the Foundation. Once the two cupboards were here at the Foundation we conducted a full analysis of their condition to plan the next moves for the objects. Of the two the large Schrank was in the poorest condition and the paint overlay was poor. The existing secondary and primary paint layers had deteriorated. Our decision was to do what we would rarely do – put the cupboard through a comprehensive restoration. The paint was removed, and the cupboard was sent to an antique furniture specialist normally dealing with items hundreds of years older. This oddity was viewed with interest by the specialists and they embraced the project with gusto. The other variant Schrank is for two soldiers. A much more limited storage facility individually than the single Schrank – half the storage capacity. The external paint treatment was deemed to be in much better condition and retained traces of both groups of occupants – The Wehrmacht and the Russians. This Schrank is as it was when found but cleaner – now with a smile on its face. Our next article will cover the rules how the Schrank was to be arranged internally - Schrankordnung. .

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