Robert Noss Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 This is a photo from a workmate of mine.He is doing some research on his ancestors and asked me to find outsomething about the man on the photo.He is Austro-Hungarian, right ??What about the collar insignia ?Sorry for the bad quality, but he only had a reprint of the original photo for me to scan.All infos are most welcome.Thanks in advance.Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev in Deva Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 (edited) Hallo Robert, The collar Insignia are for a Hungarian Austrian Heavy Machine Gun Unitthe represent a dragon spitting fire, somewhere here on the forumthere is more information posted by Rick on them.Kevin in Deva Edit: due to mis-identification of the crown on the machine-gun unit insignia. Edited February 10, 2009 by Kev in Deva Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Noss Posted February 7, 2009 Author Share Posted February 7, 2009 Thank You Kevin, good information.Now I can tell my workmate something.Kind regardsRobert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulsterman Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 Isn't he a Sergeant?Looks like he was in for a while too-that's the NCOs 6 year service medal and the Signum Memor. medal isn't it? Photo @ 1910? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rick Research Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 The sergeant (I think the K.k. rank title was "Zugf?hrer") is actually wearing the 1908 Military Jubilee Cross and the 1912-13 Mobilization Cross. The photo must date circa 1914-15. Since the 1908 is being worn but no VI Years Service yet, I am not sure whether they suspended awards of long service crosses during the war.Here is what the fire-breathing dragon (an absolutely perfect metaphor, na?) looks like--Officers wore gold colored insignia and enlisted ranks silver. Austrian units wore the Imperial crown while Hungarian units wore the crown of Saint Stephan. The larger badge above each dragon was worn on the right side of caps as a tactical sign for machine gun troops. The dragons were worn on each collar, facing forward, so you can always tell which side of the collar a dragon was worn on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev in Deva Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 Isn't he a Sergeant?Looks like he was in for a while too-that's the NCOs 6 year service medal and the Signum Memor. medal isn't it? Photo @ 1910?Hallo Jeff its the Balkan Campaign Cross not a military service cross.Kevin in Deva. :beer: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulsterman Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 Hallo Jeff its the Balkan Campaign Cross not a military service cross.Kevin in Deva. Doh!!!! (sotto Homer Simpson). I should have known that one. My bad! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Looking at the photo I would say the that the Zugf?hrer is from a k.u.k./k.k. machine gun unit as opposed to a Hungarian or Honved unit.Regards,Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev in Deva Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Looking at the photo I would say the that the Zugf?hrer is from a k.u.k./k.k. machine gun unit as opposed to a Hungarian or Honved unit.Regards,IanHallo Ian, I believe you are spot on, the tell-tale sign is the shape of the crown, with the bent cross on top.I will amend my post to reflect your identification.Kevin in Deva. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Noss Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 Very much response, thank You all.After all, one more question.Can you tell if he is hungarian or austrian ?Kind regardsRobert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Craig Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Hallo Robert, The collar Insignia are for a Hungarian Austrian Heavy Machine Gun Unitthe represent a dragon spitting fire, somewhere here on the forumthere is more information posted by Rick on them.Kevin in Deva Edit: due to mis-identification of the crown on the machine-gun unit insignia.Kevin,I think that you were correct when you first identified this photo as being of a member of a Hungarian machinegun detachement. The crown is not clear and it is difficult to be sure using only that as your guideline. I think that if you compare the photo below with the insignia on the collar you will find it resembles the Hungarian insignia more than the Austrian one. The most obvious difference between the two badges, discounting the crown, is the right hand side of the dragon as viewed by you. The Austrian badge is on your left and the Hungarian badge is on your right. The foto is from the Osprey Men-at-Arms series #397 "The Austro-Hungarian Forces in World War I 1916-1918" page 16.Regards,Gordon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev in Deva Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Kevin,I think that you were correct when you first identified this photo as being of a member of a Hungarian machinegun detachement. The crown is not clear and it is difficult to be sure using only that as your guideline. I think that if you compare the photo below with the insignia on the collar you will find it resembles the Hungarian insignia more than the Austrian one. The most obvious difference between the two badges, discounting the crown, is the right hand side of the dragon as viewed by you. The Austrian badge is on your left and the Hungarian badge is on your right. The foto is from the Osprey Men-at-Arms series #397 "The Austro-Hungarian Forces in World War I 1916-1918" page 16.Regards,GordonHallo Gordon, thanks for your post I have attempted to enlarge the area of the collar insignia for more detail,this is about the best I can get it though:-Kevin in Deva. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farkas Posted September 22, 2018 Share Posted September 22, 2018 Hi Gents does anyone have an opinion on this one please ? it does look different to the example above... thanks gents tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bayern Posted September 23, 2018 Share Posted September 23, 2018 On 07/02/2009 at 06:40, Robert Noss said: This is a photo from a workmate of mine. He is doing some research on his ancestors and asked me to find out something about the man on the photo. He is Austro-Hungarian, right ?? What about the collar insignia ? Sorry for the bad quality, but he only had a reprint of the original photo for me to scan. All infos are most welcome. Thanks in advance. Robert Hello ,the man portrayed is a machine gunner but his rank is feldwebel ,three stars and lace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 Post No. 13. I don't see any thing wrong with. Honest piece (rusty and in need of some TLC). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farkas Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 11 hours ago, Ian said: Post No. 13. I don't see any thing wrong with. Honest piece (rusty and in need of some TLC). Thanks Ian. Appreciated.... It did look better the next day... so I went for it. I will post a pic or two once I’ve got it tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farkas Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Hi Gents glad I went for it.... After some gentle TLC ( cheers Ian) It turns out there is still a little gold on the front and more left on the back An officers tactical badge I believe. tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted October 5, 2018 Share Posted October 5, 2018 Fantastic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bayern Posted October 7, 2018 Share Posted October 7, 2018 Yes , gold was for officers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farkas Posted October 7, 2018 Share Posted October 7, 2018 Hi Gents now with its mates.... tony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bayern Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 Nice Group ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farkas Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Cheers Bayern On 08/10/2018 at 02:44, Bayern said: Nice Group ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennC Posted November 20, 2023 Share Posted November 20, 2023 May be of some interest to Austro-Hungarian insignia collectors. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farkas Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 On 20/11/2023 at 01:37, GlennC said: May be of some interest to Austro-Hungarian insignia collectors. Very interesting, nice one Glenn 🍻 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trooper_D Posted November 24, 2023 Share Posted November 24, 2023 I'm puzzled! What has previously been identified as an officer’s tactical badge, in the rather splendid display of insignia is mounted on a card marked French colonial (bottom right corner of top frame)l!! Who is right/wrong? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now