bolewts58

The stickpin was a silver Westphalian horse on an enameled black shield as shown in the upper corner of the ausweis.

The armshield is that of Freiwilligen Bataillon von Bulow of the Brigade Schaulen of which 3rd Kurland Regt. was a part.

In my opinion, there's no chance that this Baltic Cross is real. After my initial question on WAF (link in Destruction's answer), I've seen a few of these and they all have roughly the same kind of finish and screw-back device. They are all likely made by Alexander Chichikalov, who makes a number of very high quality Freikorps copies.

The hand-writing is awful. It seems to be a greeting from someone's brother, as far as I can make out. Here's a card I have to the same unit.

It's actually "ins Lazarettwagen..." not 'im' I think the first word on the 2nd line is "stauchung" meaning upsetting.

As promised, here are the badges I believe he is wearing: Garde-Kavallerie-Schützen-Division, Freiwilligen Nachrichten-Truppen, Freikorps Schleswig-Holstein.

When I get a moment, I'll post a scan of the badge.

As I stated, the sleeve badge is Freiwillige Nachtrichten-Truppen and is shown in Haarcke's book. 621.1 on page 106.

Actually, you're correct - GKSD. The other collar badge at the back of the collar is therefore likely Freikorps Schleswig-Holstein. The sleeve shield is for the Freiwillige Nachrichten-Truppen. It's possible that all 3 of these badges could be worn together. Rare combination of unit insignia. Too bad, the badges are not clearer.

Not Freikorps badges. The collar badge is likely that of the Bavarian 11th Infantry Division. The sleeve badge is likely what KIR says.

Hi Claudio I'm happy I could help with the photo. It just took a little digging online. I was interested in this group, because of my interest in the Freikorps. I knew tha baron had been a major player early on in the Spartacist uprising and the border defence in Silesia (hence the Silesian Eagle). The photo just popped up when I was researching what he had done. cheers, Brian

Here is the Baron in 1913, as regimental adjutant of Husaren-Regt. Nr. 12. in Torgau, wearing the Prussian Order of the Crown 4th cl., 1897 Centennial Medal and the Saxon-Weimar Order of the White Falcon RK II cl. with swords.

Freikorps history. He formed Freiwilligen-Bataillons von Dalwigk on November 15, 1918, but left it on December 23 to take command of the III. Batl. 4. Niederschlesien Inft.-Regt. Nr. 51, which disbanded in March 1919. He earned the Silesian Eagle with swords and oakleaves while commanding Freiwilligen Husaren-Regt. 12., before moving to 10. Preuss. Reiter-Regt. in the Reichswehr in April 1920.

Here's an example.

count over to the 9th bead on the obverse side, and you will see that it is noticeably larger than the rest.

It's a '23' in an oval. So, I'd say it's Flieger-Abteilung.

yes, I know German grammer. I read the Kurrent e as an en, by mistake. But, of course that doesn't make any sense. it should be singular.

If I'm reading it correctly.... Abs. Schuetzen Karl Bernard 15. Res. Armeekorps 39. Res. Inf. Div. 1. Ers. Iftr. Rgt. Bay. Gebirgs. M.G.K.

Stickpin for former members, based on the collar badge of the regiment.

Award document signed by Wilfried von Loewenfeld, to the Ehrenzeichen 1. Klasse - III. Marine-Brigade von Loewenfeld shown above. Note that on the reverse is a reference to the only maker/supplier of this cross, Paul Kuest.

Very nice skull array. I especially like the MWH shield, Danzig Skulls and the two Iron Division medals. Although, I wouldn't consider Wehrwolf to be Freikorps, strictly speaking. Here's a Military Pass to a guy who served in the east from 1914 to early 1919 doing defence duty in the Ukraine, from June-December 1918. He was awarded the Schutztruppe Bug Star, as noted in his pass. It's the only Freikorps award that recognized WWI service: i.e. in defence forces in the east after the Russian Revolution and treaty with Russia in 1917.

last one for now. Ehrenzeichen 1. Klasse - III. Marine-Brigade von Loewenfeld. There are many well-made fakes of this around. But, they fall down on 6 main details: the wreath and anchor, the grain pattern on the arms, the typeface, the pin and hinge and the maker mark and overall finish.

2 versions of the Deutsche-Ritter Kreuz for Grenzschutz-Ost. The enameled version is marked Godet, Berlin.

I thought I would start a thread of Freikorps awards, beyond the usual Baltic Cross/Silesian Eagle posts. To get things started, here's a recent acquisition (not in hand yet, but coming). Treukreuz (2nd pattern) for Freikorps von Neufville / Schwarze Garde.

My guess on the armbadge is Prussian state police.