Tony

Ed, There was a non-smokers tin, have a look at this thread http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=1491&st=0 I don't know if Indians received their Christmas pressies. Were they in the line by Christmas 1914? As far as I know the bullet pencils were issued later in the year, if you look at the cards they read "Happy New Year 1915" instead of the Christmas greeting. The set with the lighter is even rarer. I don't know about chocolate but why not, the troops in the Boer War received a presentation tin with a lump of chocolate inside. I haven't looked at Flyingdutchman's links above yet, we might find more info there. I also have a Princess Mary Fund book which was sold on the home front, probably to raise cash for the tins and their contents. Tony

I think these tins are great, I also have one with a full opened pack of cigarettes and another with only 4 cigarettes. The packs of tobacco are never open but it's hard to find an unopened packet of cigs. I also have the bullet pencil set, they are much more common. Where did you find the Kitchener cigs? Tony

That's a shame, I wonder if it's French. Tony

As we're showing off our sniper shields..... Jens, do you which type of shield this is? The flaps at the sides still move nicely, I think those turned handles are great and I believe the greeny grey colour is original. Tony

I agree with Dave as the small indentation is always (as far as I know) found on later crosses. Is the core magnetic? Joe, who can beat that lovely cross of yours? Tony

That's exactly what I thought as soon as I saw it. Should it not have the crossed tools (hammer and something) as a badge? Can you see if a badge was once attached Theodor? Tony

Hello Andy, I've heard that repros are stamped from quite thin pieces of steel, from the photo your buckle appears to have the normal thickness. Tony

Thanks Mike! Is he still contesting it? I remember watching something about that on the news a few years ago. Tony

I've not seen them before, I think it looks great. Where did you find it and how is it attached to the uniform? Tony

I found this one in my collection which I didn't notice on the above list. It is marked HW and has convex oakleaves. Tony

Before these disappeared I mentioned that I liked the one with HT on the reverse. What is the HT there for? Manufacturer? Seeing them again I think I like them all, some nice variations you have there Ronny. Tony

Here's a postcard I picked up of Crown Prince Willie's children. Anyone know who's who in the pic? Tony

This is my favourite, simple, no awards but they have that just returned from the trenches look. On the reverse: My best memories from the Great War 1914/15, your Rudolf Tony

Was you wearing your lucky t-shirt again? I picked one up a couple of years ago which still has traces of the original paint but just don't know where to keep it. It's been on the balcony since then. Tony

Thanks Glenn! Found him now. How many traffic jams get you get in on the way then? Cheers Tony

Does anyone know anything about the name below? I think it says Clauß. Did he really exist or is he a made up Generalmajor? I've had a look in my Ehrenrangliste but couldn't find him, this doesn't mean he isn't there though. Any help is greatly appreciated. Tony

Hello Tom, Thanks for the link! Tony

Bill, If you post a scan of the MiC we might find other info on him. Then again, there might not be much there. Tony

Jim, The bigger bead on the cross? Do you mean the one on the reverse? If so I've just gone over that with my thumbnail and it has come off so I'm not sure what it was. The only beads I can see on the front are the 2 on the bottom of the crown. Andy, Where did you find those badges? I don't think I've ever seen half of them anywhere before. Tony

Keith, I think it is just dirty, I don't like shiny badges so have never been tempted to clean it. If it is original I will seriously think about selling it as I'm in need of funds at the moment. Tony

Hello Bill, I'm quite inexperienced in this field but the PRO at Kew should have his service records unless his was amongst the 60% (?) destroyed during the blitz. They are known as the burnt records as far as I know. Here's the National Archives website http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/. You can download his medal index card here http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...y=*&queryType=1 but it isn't for free, ?3.50 I think. There are people here who will know a lot more about this than I do but you might be able to find something yourself on the NA site. I've just had a look on the CWGC. Was he killed at the beginning of 3rd Ypres and has no known grave? Tony

I found it a little suspect too. It could have been done 30 years ago (I've had it 17 years), 20 years ago or have been tied to a tree in the garden for a year but at least my gut feeling was probably right. Thanks for your opinion! Tony

This is the cockade in question. The green looks a little fresh to me. Were they brush painted or sprayed? Tony

Slang indeed. Steel helmets are usually referred to as tin hats well, they are in SE London. Tony

Is there a sure way of telling if cockades are original apart from an obvious new paint job? I have a Saxon cockade whereby the white paint looks good to me but the green appears a little fresh. I really like ersatz spiked helmets, I only have 2 and if I had the money to get another I'd go for a tin pickelhaube. Tony