Chris Boonzaier

Well, looking back over this old thread I am happy I was patient.... I almost bought the above as I HAD to have a WW1 jacket... I did not.... waited 1 year and landed in that time 2 superb ones..... Normally I dont have patience... this time I am glad I had some....

I also think the leather ones stay supple and seldom fall to pieces. Gummi masks, whether British, German, US or French seem not to stand the test of time... just bought 2 French ones that are torn and crumbling to pieces :-( In 20 years a Gummi mask will seem like the ultimate rarity.

Just to see if anyone had any further ideas on this? Thanks Chrus

Any idea if there are any citations to be found for these? Thanks Chrus

They are probably thinking "Merde! Burger King again today.... and they dont even have beer ...."

I had a DKiG group to a Pionier Major Vietze ages ago. Probably not the same guy if he died in 1932 though....

Aaaaargh,,, forgot all about this one... Can anyone tell from the link what book it was? Thanks Chris

Anyone know how to tell a Reichswehr from a WW1 set of straps? Thanks Chris

Just reheating this to see if anyone has any new ideas.... still not clear what Kompagnie sized unit within a regt this could be... I assume we all agree that and Abteilungs would have been quite a bit smaller? Thanks Chris

But one of the tunics in the 88 IR group is an issue one. Originally issued to a Train batln in 1902, then stamped for the 88IR later and has the one year cords around the shoulder boards. Best Chris

Nah, one was a private purchase, one an issue tunic. Both the same size, I think he just had enough bucks to buy a private purchase one. None of the letters and papers mention any other family member in the service. Possible that the other siblings were too young for WW1 and served in WW2. That way older brothers stuff was in the basement and the rest of the families stuff was added later. Stop the presses!!!! Was there not a list of EK recipients including 1915... or did that stop earlier? Any idea on the spike? did they all buy their own? Best Chris

Can anyone explain the system to me in a nutshell? Would anyone like to write up a paragraph/page/ essay I can use for the website? Thanks Chris

A Lt in the 258 res inf regt, period 1915. Would the boards have been bright metal wire o subdued? What colour would the underlay be? White? and..... I have seen sone with black and white thread in zig zags... an some just with black... Me be one confused littel boy.... does anyone have a pair to show (correct numbers not needed. Thanks Chris

Would a 1 year freiwilliger Unteroffizier have worn a regular issue Picklehaube or did they all have private purchase? Thanks Chris

I would imagine this is one of the rarest possible jackets to find in this condition. From the first pic I thought it was a thinner private purchase jacket. From the second pic I saw it was issue stamped. My then thoughts were, ?Great! An issue piece!? but I thought the shoulder boards had been cut out and was prepared for a well worn field jacket. It knocked me off my feet to see the superb, astounding condition of the jacket. Hardly ever to be found in that condition as by the time they stopped making these there were still a few years of war to go through. Added to that, the shoulder boards were not cut out, it is set up for slip on boards. I assume these would be Lt boards with a white underlay, not yet subdued but still bright metal wire? Added little bonus was a worn buttonhole ek ribbon in the pocket. To display this I am going to try set it up as he would have worn it in August 1915? ie, correct shoulder boards (but without numbers as I don?t want to ?create? a set) and either a peeked cap or picklehaube. His death notice only mentions an EK2 so maybe the news of his EK1 had not yet reached the family. There is a very bitter letter he wrote to the family about 2-3 months before his death, basically disowning them and saying he was breaking off all contact with them so maybe that is why they never knew. Anyway, my task now is to recreate his service life. He was killed almost exactly to the day of the 1 year anniversary of the outbreak of the war. I assume the only reason that such an early jacket was not worn out was because it was safe at home. I am ecstatic to have the chance to own and research this.

A rough draft of an annoncement August Weber Lt d. res. and Komp F?hrer RIR258 Inhaber des EK2 Due to a bullet wound in the chest received on the 3. August 1915 was transfered to a Feldlazarette in XXX where he died. Muuuuch work to be done on the papers with the group...

A Huuuuuuuuuuge thanks to Erik who not only saved this group.... but also passed it on to me. It is great to see community work in action. Was a pleasure to have Erik around for a couple of beers tonight, talking BS and drinking a couple of beers. Herr Webers stuff are in my grubby and appreciative paws. I had given up all hope of getting a mint, Kammerstempled M10 jacket. I now need some wartime boards for a Lt in RIR258 :-)

Was just going to say... ".... for the photographer..." till I saw you already had that thought. Were there enough steal helmets to go around at that time to allow units to use them in training? I have read a few accounts of units leaving the front handing helmets to the new unit arriving. best Chrs

Hi, just on the looong ribbon so I dont loos it. Best Chris

Maybe a replacement set of wings with the numbers put on? I hope we get some more folks with wings... there must be more than that :-)

Hi, it is indeed... but I have all bars on a 1 meter long OM ribbon so I don't lose them I am going to try trade it for a nice OM bar anyway. Best Chris

Tony!!! Great to see you online again.... I thought you would out in the sun !?!?!?!!?

Just got this loose bar in... A great addition when I finally find a medal without its bar....

A really nice loose Tonkin bar in this week...

please see here... http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2728...mp;#entry258046 Any thoughts? Best Chris