Jeff Noll

I do not believe Minenwerfer troops had a specific bayonet knot.  I would suspect they would wear the knot of the company they were affiliated with.

All, The kSg98 was designated as a "Seitengewehr für Maschinengewehr Schützen".  They were introduced in 1901 to coincide with the first five Machinengewehr-Abteilung (GMGA Nr.1 and MGA Nrs.1-4).  They were intended for "prestige"  units as they followed the pattern of the earlier Hirschfänger M71's distinctive eagle head pommel.  The issue bayonets were produced by ERFURT, AMBERG, V.C.SCHILLING, C.G.HAENAL P.D.LÜNESCHLOSS and E&F HÖSTER.  The last issue bayonets were made in 1915 (by ERFURT and E&F HÖSTER).  Besides Maschinengewehr personnel, they were formally authorized for Colonial Troops, Airmen, Engineers, Communication, and Medical Personal. 

As noted earlier, private purchase versions of the kS98 and kSg98 were very popular with officers after 1916 when the wearing of swords was discontinued.  These bayonets were made in many configurations and their variety seem to be limited only by the price the purchaser was willing to pay.  They were also produced with black hilt fittings (black enamel or rust blueing) ostensibly for wear in the field.  The most desirable of the lot was the model which actually had a carved eagle head hilt with red jeweled eyes, a cyphered grip and with an etched blade. 

WRT the nickeled issue bayonet posted by DARON.  In my opinion one cannot deduce any Colonial Troop use without the presence of any Regimental Markings related to Colonial Troops.  These would be K.S. (most prolific), P.T.K., P.T., S.K., Sch.K., or Sch.D.O.A.. 

I would encourage everyone who does not have Peter's book to contact Kornel R. and pursue getting one.  I have used my copy extensively since getting it from Peter in 1993.  Darn that is over 20 years!!!!  Where the heck does the time go?

The last I heard Peter Meinlschmidt was living in Poland.

I have a serious sickness for these!!!! 

Chip,  Sadly they were ALL real!!!  A well known German collector had them.  I had just purchased an Imperial German occupation assembled Bergmann-Bayard 1910.  The price for the group was $5K and it was a bridge too far.  Jeff

Here is a drouler.  Had a chance to buy this set at Show of Shows last February but passed for reasons I am still trying to understand????  It was not cheap but I will probably never have a chance to buy some of  these knots again!  The colors were brighter in person.

Chip,  Bayonets, frogs and knots have been a focus of my collection for ever.  I have many knots and they have been an interest for some time.

Here is a private purchase knot I cannot identify.  It could be an Imperial gardener's?  What do you guys think?  I is a small knot.  One I classify for a trench knife or similar (you can see its size as it is on a trench knife).  

Chip,  Absolutely no offense taken.  I freely admit that the enlisted company private purchase knots are my least favorite and frankly I don't even look at them anymore.  I do have a bunch and try to find them in the wartime configuration with gray tassels and strap, not easy.  BTW the wartime 10th company (Y-R-Y) in nice condition has eluded me.  If anyone has an extra please contact me.  The only knot in the photo I have put on a bayonet is the 7th company w/the tied tassels so the rest would be available. 

Here are some wartime issue Kompagnie knots I bought at Show-of-Shows last February.  I am not sure I see many knots changing hands for $50 anymore.   I paid $300 for my nice issue Jaeger knot a couple of years ago.

Thank you Prussian

The latest addition to my KLM collection.  Could I get some help on the names?  One is from the coat and the other from the vest.  I believe the last names are pretty straight forward but their initials are a mystery.  Could Kaiser be spelled Kayser?

ccj. I looked at the original with a magnifying glass and cannot read the shoulder straps.  There is nothing on the back. 

Here is another photo I can only caption as "Wet Feet"

A commercially sold photo/postcard showing an unusual view of trench construction. 

Well, this is my final documentation on this Mess Dress coat of Kurt Freiherr von Ziegesar.  I was able to obtain an original photograph of S 116 (not particularly easy as it was sunk in October 1914 taking Kurt to the other side).  Thank you again saxcob for reading his name. 

Kurt Freiherr von Ziegesar Dress Mess Jacket.pdf

Here is an "After" photo.  A good shelling would really tear-up a trench.

Thank You!!!!

I recently picked-up this Militaerpaβ.  The guy was in the 2nd Kompagnie of I.Werftdivision.  Seems like the name on it may be Janβen?   The "β" is letter I am having difficulty with.  Thanks in advance.  Jeff

Here is what I was able to put together on this KLM officer.  Many thanks to those who responded.  w/r Jeff

Kurt Freiherr von Ziegesar Dress Mess Jacket.pdf

saxcob,  Thanks so much!!!!  Jeff

Surely some sharp eyed collectors are tuned to read old German hand writing. This is the latest addition to my KLM collection. It is a Oberleutnant zur See dress mess jacket with its white vest. The owner has his name in the tailor tag and gladly it is really sharp. My German friend cannot read this name. What he could read is: "Frln. v. ?iegeser". He believes the first name is an abbreviation but the first part of the surname eludes him. I would surely like the guy to have been a famous U-boot commander. Jeff

Here is the ensemble

Still looking for a photograph of Louis Dombrowsky/Dombrowski (I have found it spelled both ways). 

No one has any expertise on this forum on PLMs?

I have been offered this PLM.  It is 2/3 rds the size of a normal sized one (prinzen) and moderately thin. Sadly I only had my cell phone (apple 3) to take photos and some are not precisely focused. The photos with the stripped background were taken in direct sunlight. The others were taken in indirect light. The piece is not gilt but golden metal (I.E. not plated). The enameling is wonderful with nearly perfect boarders. The wire suspension ring ends are finished and the ring shows signs of wear. There are no marks on the cross I could find nor its owner found. It could use a cleaning but certainly does have age. I made no attempt to correct color.

What is your opinions of this piece?  When so you think it was this made?  I would appreciate any thoughts you all collectively have.

Jeff

more photos

This belt/buckle was a very late addition to my menagerie.  It is a beautiful belt with a 1918 tab marked buckle.  It looks apparent to me that the belt/buckle have been together for ever.  The belt "thingie" came with it.  Note the remainder of the feldgrau finish on the metal.