filfoster

Fantasy piece? It's a shame as it's an attractive piece. Why would they copy it in gold when silver would have been less expensive and more authentic? Weird.

Thank you! I have wondered about this for years! I should have asked here sooner. One of life's mysteries answered!

I apologize for this in advance but I am curious: What does the 'pike' in 'pike gray' refer to? A fish? A road? A pole?

So there were no firm regulations about it?

Metallic thread rank stars in the metal contrasting with the underlay lace braid. These stars were made in at least two sizes. Which ones were commonly worn with the field uniform rank collar tabs?

There are several copies of a Royal Hohenzollern House Order Grand Cross collar offered on ebay and elsewhere, in gold and silver collars. Was the collar ever made in gold? Can't find any reference for this.

Agreed, a very fine display. I also made this bar to display on a reproduction of one of his uniforms, mostly from replicas except for the common Russian medals. This is the badge Nicholas II wore often with his service dress uniform. He was an adjutant for both his grandfather, Alexander II and his father Alexander III. He usually wore the shoulder boards of a Colonel of the Imperial Guards 4th Rifle Regiment which had both cyphers embroidered on them, beneath a crown.

The medal ribbon is probably the key but I can't match it. Your guess of the medal is close but both edges should be white and on my monitor, they're not. It's not among any of my German States references I have. Some Russian ribbons were 'asymmetrical' in that way. The 'sea green' coat and epaulette style suggests Russian.

Some of these responses suggest a new thread: 'marital aids and sex toys of the Second Reich'. I am aware of certain electric shock treatments for women's 'hysteria' but the concept of dildos and butt plugs for the High Command is intriguing! Can you imagine a display of Bakelite, 'India rubber' or carved wooden 'toys' at the local militaria show, all with alleged 'provenance'?

Wow! Thanks for this information and the photos!. I have seen some of these in Jan Kube's book from many years ago. If you had to be in a closet, this would be the one I'd choose!

Dang! If this is so, then there is only photographic evidence and whatever may be found in biographies or histories of the period. I haven't found anything that adds much, yet. Thanks to all who have contributed. At this point, it seems that he exchanged the two pips of a full general for the crossed batons of a field marshal in 1900, without an intervening time when he wore the insignia of a Colonel General (three pips) or a Colonel General with the rank of Field Marshal (crossed batons and three pips).

According to the Verlag book 'Die Deutschen Generale', he accepted in 1900, the nomination made 'in the name of the Army' (I'm sure no politicking was involved...) to promote himself to Field Marshal. My question was what rank did he hold when he 'accepted' this honor? A Rank List from 1899-if it exists- would be helpful.

Bump

This is where it stands now. Agree the photos show only these two ranks, as best I can see from enlargements. He could have gone 12 years from general-major to full general. It is puzzling he wasn't a general-oberst as he commanded larger formations in the annual maneuvers (which, from reading some histories, were fraught with peril for 'opposing' commanders, much like having to let your boss beat you at golf), which would have normally rated the senior general rank..

What year was that? I would guess he did 'progress through the (officer) ranks', ending with the 'political' self-promotion to field marshal in 1900. I am interested to find out if he ever held the rank, like his grandfather, whom he revered, of 'Colonel General with the rank of Field Marshal' or 'Generaloberst als Charakter von Generalfeldmarschall' I believe it is in German.

Nada?

It had to be Colonel General or Colonel General with the rank of Field Marshal. Can't see any good photos to prove this and I don't have a Ranglist.

I also posted this in the uniforms and insignia forum. No harm leaving it here until someone can have look at a Ranglist to see.

This may not be the proper forum but I can't find one more suitable: Wilhelm II was promoted (!) Field Marshal in 1900; What army rank did he hold at the time of his promotion? His father Friedrich III had been a Field Marshal, promoted after his victory at Sedan in the Franco-Prussian War but his grandfather, Wilhelm I, had never assumed that rank, remaining a Colonel General with the rank of Field Marshal, wearing the crossed batons with three gold four pointed stars (pips) within the arms of the batons. Well, OK. There's the rationale for posting in this forum: 'Rank insignia, wearing of'. Anyone?

This may not be the proper forum but I can't find one more suitable: Wilhelm II was promoted (!) Field Marshal in 1900; What army rank did he hold at the time of his promotion? His father Friedrich III had been a Field Marshal, promoted after his victory at Sedan in the Franco-Prussian War but his grandfather, Wilhelm I, had never assumed that rank, remaining a Colonel General with the rank of Field Marshal, wearing the crossed batons with three gold four pointed stars (pips) within the arms of the batons. Well, OK. There's the rationale for posting in this forum: 'Rank insignia, wearing of'. Anyone?

I know, This site no longer uploads photos from my computer! I can't use a third party site because I'm at work. (Don't tell!).

Here is the repro bar on the GdK uniform:

I have not found one. Color photography was around but seldom used, I suppose because of the cost. A number of oil portraits of him were done but none with his medal bar that I have found. P

This is an interesting question. Our German members may have the Rangelist or other records. I just read over the week end, in the newer Verlag book, The German Generals, that he assumed the rank of Generalfeldmarschall in about 1900, at the 'insistence' of the others of that rank (very few at that time: v. Haeseler, v.der Goltz, and v. Bock und v. Pulach. can't recall the other one). One imagines the several seconds of mental anguish as Willy II pondered that decision but happily, he did accept and promoted himself to field marshal. It's interesting that his venerated grandfather never took that rank, remaining a Generaloberst with the rank of Field Marshal. He also declined wearing the Oakleaves to his Pour le Merite Grand Cross. So, that highest promotion would likely not be in the 'official' records. Or is it?

Allright, here it is: