Michael R

And finally, at least for now, Three more late light grey caps. The first is for Supply personnel with lighter blue piping.  the nest two are for NBC troops with bordeaux piping.

Cheers for now  Michael R

These three caps are all of later pattern in light grey.  The first being for Medical personnel with dark blue piping and the later two with green piping again for the Infantry.

Hi Paul,  Thank you for your comments and yes, to the best of my knowledge, they are all current.  With regard to the "Officer's" embroidered badges, Gordon is quite correct as, has been the case for many years, the German military seem to take a greater pride in their uniforms and SNCO's are often given lassitude to purchase and wear higher quality items than those supplied via the quartermasters.  I have several visor caps badged to enlisted ranks but of private purchase and far superior quality. Having said all that, I still tend to refer to the higher quality as officers.

Hi Gordon, Thank you for your interjection on this subject.  It proves to me that people are taking an interest in this post which I do appreciate.

With thanks, regards and best wishes to you both  Michael R

Hi Again Paul, I am assuming that you are either in the USCG or have an interest in that organization?  If I am correct, you may be interested in a thread which I am about to start on the subject of US visor caps and I intend to start with the USCG and USCGA.  Please let me know.

#Cheers  Michael

A couple of infantry visor caps with green piping.

Hi Gordon, Thank you for your kind comments.  Although my post WWII German collection is meant to be military, I find it hard to resist getting into other areas such as the Handelsmarine and Police etc.  I have done exactly the the same with my British collection by incorporating the Police and Merchant Navy etc.  keep watching and I will show some other West and East German bits.

With thanks, regards and best wishes  Michael R

The Following photographs are of several pattern of MRAF shoulder boards which other than first and forth photos are unique to the rank.Item 1/1 is a generic bard worn with the number 1 Home Dress uniform by Air ADC's to the Monarch having relinquished the appointment. In this case an ex Air ADC to HM King George VI. 1/2 Is a MRAF for wear with Number 1A Full Dress (greatcoat). Note the position of the Royal Cypher.  2. Is an unfinished boar of identical design to 1/2.  3. is a variation board with the Royal Cypher at the foot of the board. 4 Although far plainer than the others this MRAF board is far rarer and of pre War pattern for wear with the Full Dress greatcoat.  The board is unique to the rank however the pattern, with gold lace and brass gilded miniature eagles and crowns was common to all RAF officer ranks.  The eagles always fly toward the wearer's rear and never forward.  5 Is a pair of MRAF boards with the Royal Cypher EIIR at the foot of the board.  Once again, the eagles on the wreath always fly to the wearer's rear.  Contrary to popular belief, the rank of MRAF has not been abolished.   The correct current position for the Royal cypher is at the foot of the shoulder board.  The rank can still be awarded as a none executive honorary title.

Hope that this is of interest.

Regards  Michael R

And some visor caps with badges. The first three are all enlisted ranks with metal insignia comprising the National Roundel in the Federal German colours of Gold, Red and Black surmounting the the Army cap badge of an open top wreath with crossed sabres superimposed across the centre.  These three cap are all Engineer personnel.

Smart caps IMO?

Cheers  MR

And a few more

Hi Paul,  very many thanks for responding!!!  I was beginning to think that perhaps I was out of step!!  Nice, no, very nice uniform and insignia etc. Quite a few years ago I purchased a large collection of post 45 German insignia and most of it has been sitting in my room since.  I got the bug to start mounting it and am now smitten.  I will post some more on this thread and perhaps start one or two more with some of the other bits that I have.  In the meantime, I'll splash a few more headdress badges which I hope that you and anyone else find interesting.

With thanks, regards and best wishes  Michael R

Hi Gordon,  Thank you for correcting me!!  It is BW that I am after.  I was probably thinking of WH when I wrote BH as I also collect WWII German Army.

Thank you once again  Michael

Hi Again,  For anyone interested, a few more headdress badges.  This time beret insignia.  Please disregard the patches as they are only space fillers.

Cheers  MR

Hi,  Thank you for your response and information.  I believe that Generaloberst Beck did put his uniform on and I seem to recall reading somewhere that he had to borrow a Knights Cross as he had mislaid the one which he was going to wear???  Who is Peter Hoffmann if you don't mind me asking?  I was not aware of the uniforms going back to the Bendler so perhaps souvenir hunters went to work??  Ah well, its still a nice epaulet!!

Thank you once again.

Regards and best wishes  Michael R

Hi, May I start by complimenting you on one of the best threads that I have had the privilege and enjoyment of reading!!  In my opinion, you have the basis of a very interesting book, one which I would surely buy.  Very well done.

Some years ago, I purchased an "imperial Generaloberst! shoulder board, (as described by the seller).  The board is, in my opinion of post 1933 pattern and in addition to the three pips, has a gilt numeral "5". The reason that I say all this is that to the best of my knowledge, a number of very senior German General Officers wore commemorative insignia as Colonels in Chief of regiments etc.  Now to the point, again to the best of my knowledge, the only Generaloberst who wore the number 5 was Ludwig Beck of Valkyrie fame.  Ergo, it may have been worn by a major conspirator and to stretch the point a bit, it may even have been worn on the very day???  Probably wishful thinking on my behalf but you never know.  Anyway,  some pictures attached to view.  Please feel free to air your opinion on the item and burst my little bubble.

Once again, congratulations on an excellent and informative thread.

Regards  Michael R

Hi All,  Thought you may be interested in viewing some headdress insignia which I have been mounting recently?  If they are of interest, please feel free to comment and I will post more.  I am looking for BH officer's shoulder boards to buy or trade??

Cheers  Michael R

Hi Ross, I have read your thread with interest and have uploaded a couple of photos of armlets from my RAF collection which you may find if interest.  The inscription on the first photo is written on the lowest armlet in the second photo.  the central armlet is that of a GVIR usher and used for ceremonial duties etc.  The top armlet is, I believe, for the coronation of GVR but I am by no means certain.  If you can advise me either to the contrary or confirm, I would be most grateful.

With thanks, regards and best wishes  Michael R

Hi Alf,  I stumbled on your thread which I read with interest as I too collect rank insignia and in particular that of the Royal Air Force.  At Post 6 you show a very nice pair of MRAF shoulder boards and you say that they have never been attached.  These boards are for ceremonial wear on the great coat hence the field materiel of "Crombie" and are classed as detachable hence the lugs on the reverse.  The Royal Cypher is usually a standard feature on these boards as the incumbent is usually also appointed an Air ADC to HM the Queen. I have only ever seen small cyphers on the MRAF pattern epaulets and this is probably due to the amount of area used to accommodate the Marshal's crossed batons.  The small version of the cypher is usually only worn by ex Air ADC's having relinquished their appointments and on the Mess Dress and Red Sea Rig etc. If you are interested, I have some variation MRAF and other Air Officer's epauletes which I can show on your thread?

Thank you for showing your examples.  They are very nice to see.

With thanks, regards and best wishes  Michael R

Hi, I have just stumbled onto your thread but unfortunately, the photos are not showing.  Any chance of you re submitting this thread???  It sounds very interesting to me as a RN collector!!!

Cheers  Michael R

• Hi,  The cap you describe sounds like a Royal Army Education Corps Number 1 Dress item with Cambridge blue band and welts for field ranks? My understanding is that only a beret was worn however, I did read some time ago, that a short lived visor was worn for one special occasion but more than that I can not recall.  The buttons sound suspect and as you suggest, possibly Northumberland Hussars?  Have you tried removing the cap badge to see if the lug holes line up and any badge outline can be seen either impressed into the cap material or fading where the badge has been?  If so, does the indentation/fading match the current badge??  I hope that you have a good and original item.
• The 1st photo is of a pair of RAEC caps with slightly different blue bands and welts and the other two are of a Northhants Hussars cap with a darker blue band and welts.  The buttons may be of interest???  Hope that they help.

Regards and best wishes  Michael R

Hi All,  Please accept my thanks and best wishes for taking the time to give advice and references for the Div Badge.  I am very grateful for it's identification and can only hope that it is original as it is not a manufacturing technique that I have come across so whether that is a good thing or a bad thing I am not too sure.  Anyway, thank you all once again.

Regards and best wishes Michael R

Hi David, The sword is as has been stated an NCO pattern.  The price about what I would expect and scabbards are available on an infrequent basis on E Bay.  One word of warning though, a lot of these have come in from China in the last few years so beware!!

Cheers Michael

Hi Rich, I can't say that I blame you, I have been a blade collector for a few years now have have not come across the logo before.  Not only an unusual maker but also a beautiful well impressed logo and one I would love to own!!!

Congrats  Michael 

Thank you very much Hugh and Tony for your input and suggestions!!!  The badge has me flummoxed and I have had two suggestions as to its authenticity.  One saying categorically wrong and one saying the opposite 100% right??? 

With thanks, regards and best wishes the New Year  Michael

Hi, Can anyone out there ID the Div Patch in the photos please?  I would also be very interested in your opinions regarding its originality if possible?  Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

With thanks, regards and best wishes, Oh and Happy New  Michael

Hi, I am inclined to agree with Mr Monahan and would also suggest India.  The whole item looks sand cast including the RAF cap badge and if I were to guess at its use, I would suggest that it is possibly an RAF volunteer station band badge either worn on a turban or used as a plaid badge???  Most of the larger RAF bases had volunteer bands etc and would have insignia made up in Station Workshops or in the local markets.  If it was on E Bay for sale, I would certainly have a crack at it regardless of what it is.  A nice unusual item!!

Cheers Michael r

Hi,  I would go along with the opinions stated, Italian Army WWII..  Further, I can see no evidence of removal from a tunic or epaulet so would be inclined to think that it was probably liberated from a storage facility.  Also, the central disc is usually used to accommodate the regimental number but again, there is no evidence of any insignia ever having been attached!  In all, a very nice badge in my opinion.

Cheers Michael R

Hi, The brevet is, in my opinion, quite right.  A word of caution though.  Most RAF issue brevets were carried as stock at 14 MU RAF Carlisle until the seventies so to find a long obsolete brevet in mint condition is far from impossible. Also, for Other Ranks up to and including Warrant Officer, the badges are a free issue item on change of uniform etc.  However for Officers, they can be either privately purchased or purchased from RAF stock.  This means that theoretically, when privately buying a brevet of any designation, the buyer can purchase from any manufacturer, tailor or collector's shop.  So to use quality and condition as criteria for authenticity is quite incorrect. I have seen some very spurious looking brevets worn on both uniform and flying suits etc.  Another thing to be borne in mind is that "in theater" insignia will also turn up and some of these items look totally wrong but aren't.

Hope this is of interest to you

Cheers Michael D