Chris Pittman

That's an interesting and attractive little medal, though the quality does not seem very high. Assuming this is original, I would guess it to be some kind of patriotic token from 1916-1918, rather than an actual award. Perhaps intended as a souvenir or similar.

Thanks for the kind words!

A great start! I enjoy these awards very much, I think the War Merit Medal has a very pleasing design.

Thanks for posting that, very nice. I believe the type with the enameled RLB is the earlier type.

Very nice plaque Leigh, thanks for posting it!

Last photo. If anyone else has any of these I would love to see photos!

Tax stamp

Top view

This one is a little more ornate, for the "Tafelmusik" brand. The closure is a little metal clasp shaped like a hand.

Another view

Here is a look at the tax stamp

I have two of these little wooden cigar boxes. Both of them have Third Reich tax stamps and I believe both were brought back by US veterans. I imagine that these would have been ideal containers for other veteran souvenirs and I wonder about the history of these things. They are not the most exciting or glamorous collectibles but they appeal to me and I enjoy them a lot. This first one is for the "Gungir" brand.

Amazing stuff, and great photos!

Thanks for the suggestions. I suppose one could speculate endlessly. I had also wondered if the letter might have been used so that the soldier could quickly identify his helmets at a duty station. Chris

Amazing collection, I love it! Lots of history there.