Chris Boonzaier

Hi Mac, post it and see, I am sure we can work our way through it.... Best Chris

Klar, but everything to do with identifying KO involves more thinking than proof....

Hi, a number of the companies producing Iron Crosses 14-18 were probably Jewellers before the war, in fact, I seem to remember another maker who was also a "Goldwarenfabrik"... The demand for awards after the outbreak of the war was high... there would not have been enough demand BEFORE the war. I suppose it depends on when the Crosses found there way into the box.... As I think it agreed that the stamps on the rings for official purloses, I think we can assume that Kling were not acting wholesalers in th Private market? Klein Aand Quenzer may still be the most logical bet, but I forget what the source of the 1 500 000 was? would they have subcontracted? What are the chance of finding 30 crosses, bagged, in mint condition, from the same maker... WITHOUT a box? It may not be a smoking gun, but it does show the Klein theory is a long way from being proved, without a shadow of a doubt....

I am thinking they were sent to the Army in boxes like this, not loose... and what are the chances of finding 30 mint KOs in their envelopes? I dont have my Wernitz at hand, so I am not even sure if Kling is listed, but I found this just by coincidence... its not like someone put it together to quickly do rounds on the forums... It is really food for thought.... Is not even one of the Berlin makers...

here is an example

There would not have been a distributer, It is a factory... we see pics with boxes like this in the background at award ceremonies, I think it looks legit....

"Colt Canada of Kitchener, Ont., has been picked to design modern rifles to replace the vintage firearms used by the Canadian Rangers." I wonder what wonder weapons these guys will make to replace it? A very tough thing to do.....

Nice, I have not seen a Pass like this before! The Verdun entries are veeeery nice!!

So far 1914, 1915, 1916.... I got mine from Sacha Weber... http://www.militariafachbuch.com/

Yup, but I think he is a uniform collector who just happens to have these... There are still many, many, many people who say this. I think the Klein theory has only gained any real traction over the last couple of years....

I think the Brits are having to keep up with the Neighbours... it probably does nothing for the Moral of the troops to have no medals when you are operating with other countries soldiers who have 4-5.... times change....

I have been pretty much been persuaded about the KO being Klein And Quenzer, a theory arrived at by process of elimination as opposed to proof.... but it seems/Seemed the most likely solution... Here is a page from Michael Baldwins book "Feldzug 1914".... A book overlooked by EK collectors because it is basically Headgear/Uniforms/Equipment. (I cannot recommend them enough! I just got the 1914, 15, 16 volumes today....) Thoughts? Obviously the Münzamt theory has been laid to rest..... but the label on the box is from a factory/maker and not justr a distributer.....

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/2713-german-troops-in-finland-1918/?hl=%2Bmax+%2Bbayer#entry23248

If the Finnish collector who loaned me the Bayer book is reading this... I still have your book!!!

Sorry, meant 2 pics. 1907 would be late because by then they were getting the campaign award which he does not have.... What interests me is how the bayonet replacement took place... for the KS98 bayonets the majority seem to have an abnahme of around 1912... simply from all the examples we see, I think they were a looooong way from replacing them al in 1906... There are of course a few with Abnahme Stamps for 06, but this does not mean that the bayonets were anywhere near africa at that date... they could well have been in a depot back in Germany... The few pics I have seen with KS98 all seem to be just before WW1.... unless we have any earlier ones with KS98? Best Chris

Interesting article.... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/11383552/British-Royal-Marine-is-worlds-deadliest-sniper.html

Hi Guys, i will check The names when i have a chance, best chrs

I like it.

Hi, a German P08 holster, you can see the size from the Pull tab of the holster, it is really small......

looks not bad, can you show the back?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/retirement-looming-for-lee-enfield-rifles-used-by-canadian-rangers/article20317691/

Nah... I was just lucky... it was this.... http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/65121-machine-gunner-sharpshooter-hohenzollern-award/ ;-)

Here are 3 Nice Pics, i assume around 1906-07? Same guy, I think in GSWA, then back home? With S98

There are very few Hohenzollern listed to MGSSA officers, the other 4-5 I have seen are all to Hauptmann... Of course there are other LTs, but pretty scarce....