Michael R

Hi Ostrosky, I have one of these weapons of standard cavalry pattern, however it is not marked to a cavalry regiment but to a Royal Engineer unit! Must be incorrect? However, the RE mounted detachment, who supported the cavalry under the title "11 Field Company of 1 RE Squadron", was formed in 1885, serving in the Egyptian War and in circa 1894 was established as part of the Cavalry Division. The unit was retitled the "Mounted Detachment RE". During the Boer War it was again renamed "1st Field Troop RE". The mounted RE went on to serve during World Wars 1 and 2 and, I believe, there after. The sword details are: 1. Enfield produced pattern 1899 Cavalry Trooper's Sword. 2. Numerous Ordnance Marks (OM). 3. Blade markings: a. Spine: "?/99". b. Obverse: ricasso, "arrow over EFD" and "OM over X". c. Reverse: ricasso, "00 over OM, '00 along side OM, '01 and ' 08". total number of OM is 5. 4. Hilt markings: a. Spine: "50". b. Lower outer basket "EFD over OM". c. Lower inner basket "6/05 over I.S.L. or 1.S.L. over RE over 5". Your P1864 sword was a forerunner my P1899 and given that the first mounted RE unit was formed in 1885, it is likely that they were first issued with P1864 swords or, as an alternative suggestion, perhaps the P1864 swords were withdrawn from service and re-hilted hence the lack of specimens available today? Not a lot of help but I hope interesting? Cheers Mike R

Hi, Whist I concur with all of the comments above, I have one further suggestion which is a possible answer to your question. Judging by the apparent defacing of initials on the reverse of the hilt, in Photograph 2, it could be a captured weapon reissued to one of the German reserve cavalry regiments and numbered in the regimental stock series for issue. The number then being subsequently erased following the German defeat in 1918????????? I have a Chassepot with a full German Landwehr regimental stock number and most of the French stampings erased. This was a customary concept with captured weaponry in both World Wars. Just a thought!! Regards Mike R

They are a blank to me! regards Mike

Hi, This is a very nice, high quality Imperial Army sword normally associated with the Uhlan Lancers cavalry force. The obverse langet worn by regular cavalry regiments comprises a pair of crossed sabres and for artillery regiments, a pair of crossed cannon. Your langet incorporates crossed sabres (cavalry) plus crossed lances. the sword hilt is loosely based on the hilt of the British 1796 and German Blucher sabres. The reverse langet usually comprises a foliage pattern and or a monogram panel. From what I can see of the reverse Langet, I would suggest that the blade manufacturer is probably the WKC Firm of Solingen. The German army allowed these Imperial swords to be carried post 1933. I hope that this is of some help to you Regards and best wishes Mike R

H Terry, The photograph appears to be that of King Hussein of Jordan wearing a Jordanian Army general officer's field uniform. The King died several years ago. I hope this helps your investigation!!!! Regards and best wishes Mike

Hi, Some years ago, I visited friends on the Dutch/German border and was introduced to a guy who was into battlefield archeology. I purchased several items from his loft to includ a Luftwaffe Grave Marker. He found it in a bunker under a pile of rubbish. The marker reads Flugzeugfuhrer Uff. hans Muller 3/Erg.Gr.5 (Ju88) geb.5.3.1912-gest.24.3.1941 The whole surmounted by a Christian cross. I am now tying to do a bit of research on the person named and his unit and am wondering if anyone can identify the unit, its function and where it may have been operating around March 1941. A big ask but hopefully, someone may have some information. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Regards Michael R Hi Again, A photo of the above mentioned Grave Marker.

Thanks again Gordon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cheers Michael

Hi Gordon, Very many thanks for your informative and most useful message and photographs. I haven't been on the Forum for a few years and when I am sent such useful information I cannot help but wonder why? Greatly appreciated!! With thanks, regards and best wishes Michael

Hi All, The equipment case was purchased some time ago and all I can remember is that it was designed to carry a specialist instrument. It measures 22 x 15 x 30.5 cm. The lid is marked "Li S?or 80 O". The inside of the lid is marked "Zelle onen!". The case body is stamped "BLC" followed by a Waffen Ampt stamp. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Additional photos!

Hi, A bit late but possibly of interest to you. Socks were, up to the early sixties, a status symbol in the RAF!! All non commissioned ranks of the RAF wore mid grey woolen socks or to give them their correct RAF tile, "stockings". Officer ranks and Warrant Officers wore black socks. It was the same for gloves, officers wore brown, ORs wore blue/grey. The British Army have similar idiosyncrasies with shoes, Officers and WO 1s wear brown and WO2 and below wear black??? Other than status, there is possibly a logic behind these differences but your guess is as good as mine!! Cheers Michael

Hi Stump, I wholly concur with the opinion given by both Simon and Peter and would only add that as a usually private purchase item, without a manufacturer's name or logo, these daggers are very hard to 100% identify but good look in trying!! Cheers Michael

Hi Karsten, Whilst I fully agree with Peter and would suggest that neither is of military issue or use, the close up of the button strongly suggests, at least to me, that they are livery uniform tunics as the but is livery bearing a baronial or similar coronet and is in the common silver finish rather than the more usual brass/gold military finish? Hope this gives you another avenue to investigate. Cheers Michael

Hi, The badge is very attractive and well made. Other than the central device, the letter "R", it conforms precicely with the pre 1953 RN officer pattern cap badge and I would suggest, not a fashion item. I have a number of shipping line officer's cap badges in my own collection and several are ensigned by either the "Kings" or "Queens" crown rather the usual Merchant Navy "Navaliis Corona" style crown. The letter "R" is most likely to be the initial of the line's title or founder etc. Although I have not encountered this particular badge before, I feel pretty certain that it is a good badge of nautical origin. Although not proof, I hope that my input is of help. Cheers Michael PS, I will have a look through my references on Merchant Navy Flag and funnel logos to try and ID it for you.

Hi Alf, Thank you for your comments. Yes, I do have other Flag, General and Air rank stuff so if you give me an idea of what you would like to look at, I'll start a thread. Cheers for now Michael Hi Paul, Thank you for showing your MD jacket. I have sent you a couple of messages. Cheers Michael

Still with US Navy Junior Officer's caps. Item 24 to 30 These are all basic Junior Officer's caps of varying age and wear. All have metal insignia of two part construction and gold metallic chin straps. They are all of early style manufacture dating from WWII through to the 60's. All have white winter covers.

Board 18 RN Chaplain's headdress and shoulder insignia. Col 1 comprises visor cap badges worn by all grades of chaplain. The badge depicts the Monarch's crown (Queens's Crown Post 1953) surmounting the traditional insignia of the RN, a silver fouled anchor partially encompasses by a black silk laurel open top wreath outlined in gold wire. Col 2 top, the cap badge as described but with a King's Crown and of WWII vintage. Two variation Chaplain's beret badges which are identical to those already described but slightly smaller and a variation cap badge. Three Chaplains epaulettes or shoulder boards all devoid of rank insignia. The first board is for wear by an Honorary Chaplain to HM Queen Elizabeth II and bears her personal Royal Cypher in silver surmounted by the RN Chaplaincy Services Branch insignia. The insignia comprises a "Christian" cross over which is superimposed a gold fouled anchor all in metal. A pair of WWII Chaplain's boards bearing the old Branch of service device in the form of a square gold metal cross. Board 19 Col's 1 and 2. Visor cap badge for a Chaplain of the Sea Cadet Corps along side the same badge in miniature for wear on the beret. The badge comprises the Christian Cross and anchor partially encompassed by a round open top laurel wreath and surmounted by the Mercantile Marine (usually referred to as the MN, Merchant Navy) Crown. Navy Training Corps Chaplain's shoulder sliders. Royal Navy Chaplains desert subdued sliders. Col's 3 and 4 One of the most attractive sets of epaulettes in my collection, a pair of Royal Canadian Navy Chaplain's epaulettes. Although very similar to those worn by RN Chaplains, there are a number of variations to note. Unlike the RN, the cross is surmounted by the Monarch's Crown and the cross itself varies in style being in purple materiel outlined in gold wire and with a metal anchor device superimposed over its center. RN Chaplain's OG and black subdues shoulder sliders. Col 5 A pair of RN Chaplain's stole badges in silver and gold metallic threads. Note, unlike both the British Army and Royal Air Force, Naval Chaplains do not wear any rank insignia.

Some Officer and Enlisted hat and cap devices. The first board contents is a variety of miniature "garrison" cap insignia to various Naval and associated Services. The badge at bottom left is carved in wood?? The second board is of enlisted insignia.

Some other, non military West German visor caps. Customs Official with embroidered National cockade and roundel. Railways Police Officer with metal star device and meta National roundel. Berlin Police Officer's cap with all embroidered insignia. I am not a collector of West German civil headdress so if any of my descriptions are incorrect, please feel free to correct me!!

Item 20 This is an obsolete Junior US Naval Officer's visor cap with a dark blue cover and probably of WWII vintage. The cap has a later pattern two part cap device with a silver eagle facing to its right surmounting the National Shield centered on and over a pair of crossed fouled anchors in gold. The badge is manufactured in metal with double screw back fittings to the reverse and is centered on a shaped dark blue materiel field. The chin strap is of standard gold metallic wire braid on a leather backing and secured by Naval pattern buttons in gold metal. Item 21 A similar cap but of earlier production. Item 22. Universal pre shaped beret of current pattern badged to an officer using the miniature "garrison" cap badge. The badge is identical to that detailed above in Item 20 but with the two parts riveted and utilizing the clutch and prong method of reverse fitments. Item 23 Post WWII? Officer's cap with a later manufactured cap device.

item 25 This cap is identical to Item 23 but with the addition of a General Officer's gold metal cap device on a shaped dark blue field replacing the standard Officer's badge and an additional inner arc of metal visor embellishment. The chin strap, like the other General Officer's caps, already shown, is of gold metallic thread. Item 26 A second Flag Officer's cap of identical style to that detailed above at Item 25. However, this is probably a copy! The cap badge and visor embellishment are both executed in gold metallic thread/wire and the chinstrap is of the standard leather pattern. Your opinions are, as always, welcome.

Item 17 This is an early cap worn by USN Petty Officers. The visor is plain black as is the chin strap whilst the buttons are gold coloured metal The badge depicts a standing fouled anchor in gold metal across the center of which are the initials "USN" in silver. This is an early style badge with the initials in an arc above the blades of the propeller and is scured by a bolt and nut reverse fitment to a tomb stone shaped field sewn onto the cap band. Item 18 Is a visor cap also worn by a Petty Officer but of far later manufacture and style. The cap device is identical to that featured in Item 17 except for the initials which now run in a straight line rather than an arc. Item 19 For wear by female personnel, this hat is also for a Petty Officer. The badge and fitment are identical to that shown with Item 18. This hat is worn without chin strap and buttons.

A pair of Bundesmarine Flag Officer's visor caps. The first cap is something of an anomaly to me and your opinions are welcome. The cap has a white cover and cloth covered visor. The visor is embellished with a pair of double arcs of gold wire embroidered oak leaves of high quality and the chin strap is of standard pattern shinny vinyl with gold metal buttons. The cap deviates from the norm in that it has a metal National Roundel centered on a blue materiel field rather than the usual Officer type roundel in gold wire. My theory is that perhaps the metal roundel has been used to facilitate the washing of the cap cover?? The other anomaly is the style of the National Cockade which is similar to the norm but differs in the shapes of both the oak leaf wreath and the badge field??? Again, my theories are, a possible variation style badge, the wrong badge or perhaps an early style badge?? The second cap, with a blue cover is, other than the cover colour and the anomalies described for the previous cap, identical to the previous cap.

Duplicated response