Chris Boonzaier

I dont really have a dog in this fight, but am a bit amazed at how easily this piece gets a tentative thumbs up... A few points that I note (for me..) 1) An Ebay seller says "From a house clearence" Usually my sceptisism is awakened righ there and I go back through the sellers history to see what kind of stuff he has sold in the past 8Roben, can you post the link to the auction?) 2) Already the Shoulder boards are questioned, even if they are good, there is no obvious connection to the skull... tentative at best 3) Quality of the skull... There is nothing at all from the manufacture that can tell us either way... hand made is hand made, be it 1919 or 2009. 4) "Fakes always come in batches".... unless they are hand made, then the maker decides how many he wants to make. 5) "A faker would never make a piece that is so different from "Regulation"" .... unless like me (and most of you) that have been following forums for 10 years and know how often this argument is used to justify maybe/iffy pieces. Different from "Regulation" is the easiest sell, as noone has anything to compare it to. 6) That it went for a low price means nothing in this argument as it was an auction. The seller obviously hoped for a lot... that it went for little is the "fault" of the collectors, not the seller. I think the only thing that MIGHT convince me would be to go through the sellers history. Otherwise its a "maybe, who knows.." kind of deal. Robin, can you provide the link to the auction, or tell us where it was? Thanks Chris

Hi, is there any reference with variations? My question... one without FEUER; KURBEL HOCH on it... I guess would be very early? Thanks Chris

With that symbol I would guess Berlin?

Hi, no Wiests, best Chris

See "Whats new" Some great things up today.... Harry continues putting flags on the map as he presents the little known battle at Rejaf and the Congo Free State army For those interested in German Assault troops 1914-1918 we have 2 firsts for you. First first is a total rework of the page on the first assault by Sturm Bataillon Nr. 5 under the command of Willi Rohr Second first.... the first Panzer Grenadiers... the men of Sturmbataillon Rohr take part in the first German Tank attack. Thanks To TomY for helping out on this and Don Doering for the picture of one of his Tank Badges. Some Rare documents pictured

A nice little town, and Limburger cheese (not from the town) is not bad either. best Chris

or simply the age of the cloth?

Fantastic! what a research victory!!

Yup, been watching that ;-) Anyone made a best offer? ;-))))

Hmmmmm.... I see it differently..... Rule number one only applies if you have an expensive set of dies... and 100 appear on the market. When you are making a sewn by hand cloth badge you can happily restrict yourself to one or two. (if it was BEVO and you had to set up a machine..THEN we talk thousands again). Having had the chance to study this badge (FW skull) inside and out, I am comfortable saying almost anyone with basic needle skills can make one. The two obvious fakes Robin showed are not great examples, but I am 100% sure that many a highschool girls or grandmother can whip you up a great one, the only give away will be the material. I cannot say yes or no to Robins, gut feeling makes me skeptical, for me it would only be sure if I got it from a 1000% trustworthy source (if possible not militaria). Another question... why with MW boards ?? Do you have a link to the auction? Thanks Chris

Hi, It seems to have existed from 1924-1926, initially "Gulf Baluchis" with Indian officers, then Indians. "No deve-lopments of any great importance took place in the Persian Gulf, but on the 4th August 1926 a Muscat Balueh sepoy of the Bahrain Levy Corps ran amock killing the Indian officer (a Subedar) and also* a Havildar. He also wounded Major Daly, the Political Agent,, though it would seem that he intended the shot for the Subedar whom he subsequently killed, as the latter was standing near Major Daly's table at the time. The murderer was tried and shot. As a* result of the enquiry into this incident it has been decided to re-cruit the Levy Corps (police) from India. The Gulf Baluchis of whom it was previously composed have been discharged."

Oooooof! That does indeed put it in perspective!

I think it was the brother of Geheimkuchenrat and oberrezeptmeister Freiherr von Essbesteck.. :-) Best Chris

They had a rather cool camo uniform. Unfortunately I no longer have any so I cannot post it. best Chris

looks very much like unfinished die struck pieces?

Absolutely fantastic Photo!

wanna bet he "retired" that award in the late 40's ? ;-)

Hi, there are a few Nagels A LT in volume 29 page 111 Lt Nagel in Bay Inf Regt 22 in volume 30 page 56 Lt dR volume 15 page 182 Lt dR Inf Regt 93 volume 21 page 76 Lt dR Inf Regt 157 volume 21 page 143 Offz Stellv in volume 13 page 113 Best Chris

Hi, they charge you to tell you what page of what volume the guy is on. Best Chris

Hi, it seems to be so, will check for Nagel tonight. Best Chris

I assume wooden swordstick sheathes are made in the same way blowpipes are? Best Chris

Check the kaiserscross update ;-)

Yup, there is more! Harry and the Dervish go at it toe to toe in Darfur where 1916 was a year the machine guns were chattering. A couple of years later they were chattering to the North of Rheims... http://www.kaiserscross.com/152301.html

Hi, Kampfwagonabzeichen I am doing a small write up on the 1st Panzer attack...

Hi, dont overlook that at least one of the family was a gun dealer, maybe it was in the family. Maybe the name on the shooter refers to the seller?