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    Michael R

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    Posts posted by Michael R

    1. 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.

      P1040623.JPG

    2. 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.P1040620.thumb.JPG.0487767933936519c3289615f7cd2eca.JPG

      P1040618.JPG

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      Additional photos!

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      P1040622.JPG

    3. 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

    4. 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

    5. 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.

    6. 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.

       

      1 185.JPG

      1 186.JPG

    7. 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!!

      P (5).JPG

      C.JPG

      P (6).JPG

    8. 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.

      N JO 11.JPG

      N JO 21.JPG

      N JO 40.JPG

      N JO 8.JPG

    9. Navy (1).JPG

      Navy (3).JPG

      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.

    10. 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.

       

      N PO 4.JPG

      N PO 5.JPG

      N PO 6.JPG

    11. 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.

      N FO (1).JPG

      N FO (2).JPG

    12.  

      Item 23 This is a Volksmarine Senior Officer's visor with blue winter cover.  Identical to the cap detailed at Item 20, the only variation is in the visor embellishment. Rather than the scalloped effect, the embellishment comprises a pair of single arcs of gold coloured metal oak leaves. Each arc is formed by seven overlapping oak leaves positioned around the outer edge of the visor.  The chinstrap, common to Naval caps, is of good quality mat finished leather and of a standard design. The strap is superior to that worn on the Bundeswehr equivalent caps.  The cap device is identical to those worn by officers of the other services with the exception of its finish which is in bright gold coloured metal rather than silver.

      Item 24 A Senior Officer's cap with a white summer cover but identical to item 23 in all other detail.

      Navy (8).JPG

      Navy (6).JPG

    13. Volksmarine.

      Item 20 Junior Navy Officer's visor cap with gold coloured metal visor trim of similar pattern to the Bundesmarine equivalent grade cap.

      Item 21 Navy Petty Officer's cap with unadorned shinny black visor. The cap device is of similar design to the officer's but made from embroidered silks with a metal national emblem at its center.

      Item 22 Naval Officer's garrison style chip bag cap with small embroidered national roundel and gold trim to the crown.

      Navy (5).JPG

      Navy (4).JPG

      Navy (2).JPG

    14. Hi Gus,  Thank you for your message, photo and name!!  Yes, my primary collection is TR but as things have become more expensive and copies better, I have tended to fly off at tangents, sadly to the detriment of TR.  Having said that, I still buy German swords when I get the chance but really enjoy dabbling in other fields such as Visor caps, RAF, RN US, Russian, E/W/TR  German insignia, uniforms, medals and flags etc. I have a veritable house full of junk (my wife's description not mine).

      Nice "34" and my imagination is running wild regarding the goodies hidden behind the polythene!!

      Cheers Michael

       

    15. Hi Again, I am not sure what but something tells me that you like post WWII German militaria etc. LOL.  Like you, I too lie uniforms but they take up an inordinate amount of space even when not displayed like yours.  What else do you collect??  You appear to have a distinct interest in para so are you also interested in other nationality para gear??

      Another fine selection of goodies and nicely displayed.  May I ask what the dagger is in the top right corner of your photo?

      Thank you once again

      Michael

    16. Hi, And to finish up.

      Item 14 Is a US Coast Guard (Auxiliary) Admiral's visor cap.The cap is Identical to Item 6 above. The only visible difference in the caps is the lavish use of silver bullion wire embellishment to  the visor which is identical to that shown in Item 8, the regular USCG admiral's cap but in silver rather than gold.

      Onto a bit of a tangent.

      Item 15 A nice Sea Scouting Officer's visor cap for a junior officer.  This is a current style cap with a white cloth cover and a silver chin strap.  The cap device comprises a central motif of a vertical clean anchor over the center of which is superimposed the insignia of the International Scouting Association, all in silver metal. The central motif is full encompassed by a plain vertical silver wire oval centered over a pair of crossed fouled anchors again in silver wire. The whole device is centered on a deep medium blue cloth field with a similar coloured cap band.  Although rather plain, this, in my opinion, a very attractive badge.

      Item 16 Identical cap but of far earlier vintage. Note, on item 15 thee badge is embroidered on its field the the field is stitched to the cap band.  Whereas on this cap the device is directly embroidered onto both the field and the cap band.

      CGA FO 8.JPG

      V JO 10.JPG

      V JO 11.JPG

    17. Hi, Three more Bundeswehr Naval visor caps for review. All are for wear by senior naval officers and feature a pair of single arcs of gold wire embroidered oak leaves running around the outer edge of the visor and a gold embroidered cap device featuring a fouled anchor encompasse by an open top oak leaf wreath and ensigned by a National Cockade. All have removable cloth covers and black vinyl chinstraps.

      The final cap is, I believe, worn by a Federal police officer.  The chin strap is very similar to that shown on the PO's cap in Post 41 above.  Shown for interest and reference.

      N SO (1).JPG

      N SO (2).JPG

      N SO (3).JPG

      P.JPG

    18. Hi Gordon,  Thank you very much for your message and information.  I took the cord off that cap a few months ago but the photo pre dated the change.  I wondered if it was perhaps a customs cord or police etc??  In any event, the cap currently wears a plain black chin strap so thank you for your confirmation!!! As a matter of interest, I acquired a box full of chin straps a few years back and haven't got a clue what they are.  There is an interesting variety of them so if you want a research project, let me know and I'll photograph them!!!  LOL.

      many thanks Gordon

      Cheers Michael

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