Naxos

74 is correct

... but the prize (and price) went to another :(

Good for you!

One of the best Baden groups in a while http://www.ebay.ca/i...984.m1423.l2649

The coat of arms is indeed that of the Bavarian Kingdom but this is not an original Bavarian military item. It is a rather a crude executed fantasy item. Sorry

Thomas, in the German text the writer suggests that it is in the Baden colors, he realizes that the heraldry of the Wappen is reversed "spiegelbildlich." - but offers as explanation that the wearer, by mistake, reversed the template "Schablone" . I say that that is the wrong assumption, since if reversed the cut corner of the shield should have been reversed as well. In German heraldry the single cut corner of a shield is always on the left side. Of course that doesn't mean that the shield is not in the Baden colors. The writer adds, the fact that they got the Baden shield wrong speaks to the inofficial character of the shield. I have to disagree. I'm from Baden and I would never get our State shield wrong - especially if I want to proudly wear it. .

They were Bavarians, but sometimes these German kingdoms and Duchies had traditional affiliations with each other. For instance, the Bavarian 8th infantry regiment was named: Kgl. Bayerisches 8. Infanterie-Regiment Großherzog Friedrich II. von Baden. ... but IrishGunner brings up a good point - I noticed that too, it is not a proper Baden crest.

Thomas, great image! Infanterie-Geschütz-Batterie Nr.2 was a Bavarian unit - I believe Chip has a unit history Georg Großkopf: Sturmbataillon Nr 1 (einschl. bayer. Infanterie-Geschütz-Batterie Nr 2) im Weltkrieg 1916/18. — Landsberg a.L.: Neumeyer 1938.

Your are absolutly right Claudio, my mistake. The way it is folded makes it appear on first glance like a non-combatant. Sorry and thanks for the correction.

Similar non-combatant bar currently on Ebay: http://www.ebay.de/i...984.m1423.l2649

Nice find!

Yes!

Chris, did you look him up in the Bavarian Stammrollen on line? In there you will find the reason for his time in the field-hospital. :cheers:

Great portrait!

9./30 I.R. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Im Felde, 3.11.1917 An den Unteroffizier Johann Schmitt, 9.3/30IRz.Zt. im Res. Lazarett, Oberrealschule Würzburg, Zimmer 14. Beiliegend empfangen Sie das Ihnen am 31.10.17 verliehene Pr. Eis. Kreuz II. Kl. Ausweis folgt noch. Die Kompanie gratuliert Ihnen zur Auszeichnung. Very nice! The EKII was sent to him on November 3, 1917 while he was recuperating in a field-hospital in Würzburg. The award document followed later.

Paul; It's a Württemberg bar

The answer is Yes. Since he was awarded the SWA medal in bronze (meaning as a combatant) and the Habicht was directly involved with the Herero uprising he could add the HEREROLAND bar to his medal. Like Karsten said, the bars were not awarded but could be bought privately by individuals to add to their medal.

During his one year stint on the Habicht he spent 59 Days in the South-Atlantic (these are the days that were counted double towards his pension).

Not all Südwestafrika-Denkmünzen were awarded with Gefechtsspangen but I would agree that HEREROLAND would be appropriate for the men of the SMS Habicht. I don't think any others would have been awarded for the crew. Here is a map of the actions of the Habicht landing-party.

The ship is listed in the 1909 Rangliste: I will make some scans

Agree!

Thanks Kevin! Is there more on the other side of the document? It is a difficult hand writing to read - I got most of it but want to wait until I got it all before I post the text.

No, it is much, much better! please sent the scans of both sides of the letter

Very interesting document! Once you have posted larger images of both sides, I will attempt to read it (looks readable) It starts: "Hochwohlgeborene d..." .