This is a short intro to different fabrics, both during the war and the prewar period. Note that known fakes are often made of old materials and that the exclusion of modern fabrics/materials are not a guarantee.
Lethaer - Leder
Wool - Baumwoll
Cotton -
A modern syntetich material wich are made of petroleumbased materials to make fibers. Often mixed with natural materials. Polyester are hydrofobic and doesnt absorb fluids. It can be melted with heat and turned into other shapes. Leaves a distinct smell and heavy black smoke when burned. Sweet chemichal odor. Leaves a black pearl when burning stops. Can be stretched without breakage.
Introduced in the clothing industri in the 50'ies, but invented earlier.
Will glow under blacklight.
Invented in 1938. Used by the allies during the war, especially for tents and parachutes. Encountered more frequent after 1942. Often refeerred to as the "fibre that won the war". Will disolve in strong acids. Nylon gives a white smoke with a smell often described as celery. Reflects light well and very slippery/smooth to touch. It is said that wartime and modern nylon will burn to a ball. The wartime nylon ball wil crumble, the modern wont. I.G Farben invented a kind of Nylon they called Perlon. This will burn into a ball.
Will not glow under blacklight if untouched by modern chemivals/detergents.
Described as a plant fibre material. Cellulose based fibres, often made from wood or agricultural material. Described as semisynthetic. Yellowish flame when burned and smells like leaf/paper. Has a "polished" look. WIll not melt as the syntethic materials/other states it will (test to be concucted). Viscose rayon was used in german ww2 manufacturing.
Some Will glow under blacklight when they are brightened with chemicals, ww2 will usually not glow