filfoster

I doubt there's any source for this information but it's amazing to consider. On the eve of a two-front, total war for the triumph (soon to be just survival) of the Reich, some particular individual of sufficient importance thought it necessary to add more gold to the uniforms of field marshals. Only the Germans!

I do hope someone with better researching skills or at least a hunch and a better database can point to  the someone we can credit this idiocy.

Many of the uniforms look distinctly blue.  It must be an interesting story how this adjective came to be applied to that color.

No one has statutes or portraits to support this?  My guess, if it existed, was that it was for the head of the order, the Kaiser, but this is only a speculation.

As a student of German uniforms, I'm glad the Germans tweaked the collar and shoulder insignia for the field marshal rank in April, 1941, but I'm curious about why and even more, who?  Someone had to come up with this idea of a little extra bling for the field marshals, a little ego boost (as if this lot suffered self-esteem issues), that cost them tailoring money and gave workers and valets a couple of projects.  It would be fun to identify exactly who woke up one day and just had to get this ball rolling.  It's not as if the Germans didn't have more pressing concerns by mid-1941.  So, Who and why?

I don't know if Hugo Boss, often credited with the design of the Wehrmacht uniforms, decided to pad his commission but I would guess someone in the armed forces high command got this wild hair.

Christian 1962:  Thank you! 

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.

On ‎7‎/‎5‎/‎2014 at 19:58, Bill Dienna said:

Very impressive, and not at all silly, I think!

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.

On ‎7‎/‎29‎/‎2014 at 11:55, JapanX said:

Hmmm

Looks very much like badge for the suite of A-II

 

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!

17 hours ago, Glenn J said:

An 1899 Rangliste does of course exist. however, it will not help you as the King and Emperor is not listed with a specific rank, only as Chief (Chef) of the Army.

Regards

Glenn

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).

On ‎11‎/‎27‎/‎2015‎ ‎12‎:‎41‎:‎48‎, arb said:

All,

According to the Stammliste of the 1. GRzF p. 44

"03. Mai 1900 die Gradabzeichen eines General-Feldmarchalls angelegt."  On 3 May 1900 put on the rank insignia of a GFM.

Andy

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

2 hours ago, Glenn J said:

Never seen any image of Kaiser Wilhelm II wearing the rank badges of a Generaloberst. He is most commonly seen wearing the two stars of a General der Infanterie/Kavallerie prior to his assumption of GFM Rank insignia.

Regards

Glenn

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?