ostprussenmann_new

Very nice Stewy

Looks nice. I am glad that i could help. That is what this sight is great for. Believe me people on here have helped me alot, so stuff that I am smart on, I always try to help. If you need anything else let me know.

Wow great stories. Thank you everyone for posting this.

Larry, thanks for the link.

Stewy, Doesn't Matter, whatever information that you can find is great. I appreciate your time and effort with this topic. I will continue to monitor. *On another note, I am going to make another thread if you care to follow it and provide some information. It will be on the 22d Luftlande; 22 Infanterie Div; 22 Volksgrendier Div. (Specifically the Pioneer units)

Oh nice you found one. That is real neat. I have seen some photos of Soldiers from this branch with mainly WMCX and EKIIs. Have you ever seen anything about them getting GABs? I would not think that they were in the actual assaults unlike STUG (considered part of artillery) because they were second line troops right? I wonder what qualified a Soldier to be selected for the Branch or if it just was by luck? The Lonesentry document is the most comprehensive document on Smoke Soldiers. It is just a fascinating branch of Specialists.

Stewy if you or any forum members find anything I would definitely be interested. smoke Troops is such a fascinating Branch. I also believe that only the First Three SS Divisions only had "Werfers," the rest did not.

BLUF: We first need to determine what type of weapon that you have. Here is some information pulled from another sight and some info from four different books , geared towards the military variant. Below are references to the following books: AK-47 the Grim Reaper, 2nd ed Kalashnikov Rifles, 3rd ed AK47 The Complete Kalashnikov Family of Assault Rifles, 1988 The AK-47 Assault Rifle, 1969 There may be new info that researchers have discovered that isn’t revealed in these books or other forum members may have additional info contained in other references or first hand experience. Hope this helps some. A large number of Type 56 milled AKs were exported to North Vietnam to assist that country in its war with South Vietnam and the United States. One plausible reason for the export of older milled AKs was the new stamped receiver Type 56 models were replacing the milled variant in the Chinese Army service. The Chinese Type 56 AKs with the forged/milled receivers were the most commonly encountered AK variant used by the North Vietnamese soldiers and Viet Cong guerillas. There were a very limited number of stamped Type 56 AKs supplied to North Vietnam during their war with the U.S. Many of the Chinese Type 56 AKs (fixed stock) were fitted with permanently attached folding triangular-shaped spike bayonets. The spike-type bayonet was favored by the Chinese because of the knife-type bayonet’s blade having difficulty penetrating heavy clothing; the type often worn by soldiers fighting in cold climates. The 56-1 (underfolder) was the Chinese AK with the Soviet pattern underfolding metal stock. The folding stocks were made from steel stampings, except for very early production. Original folding stock models normally did not have the permanent type folding bayonet, but had a lug for attachment of a knife-style bayonet.In order to keep down the weight of this model, their permanently attached underfolding spike bayonets were generally not fitted on military-issue weapons. A detachable knife-type bayonet was supplied instead. Type 56-1 Military (Stamped Receiver) Variants: Chinese Type 56-1 2nd Variation (military use): Russian-pattern folding stock; folding spike bayonet; stamped steel (AKM) receiver; factory designator, model and selector markings in Chinese characters; serial number. Hooded sight protector with hole for sight adjustment key. Chinese Type 56-1 3rd Variation (military use): Russian-pattern folding stock; no bayonet; stamped steel (AKM) receiver; factory designator, model and selector markings in Chinese characters; serial number. Hooded sight protector with hole for sight adjustment key. The Chinese M22 export model is a milled receiver, Type 56 rifle that was designed exclusively for export sales beginning in 1960. There are no Chinese State Factory markings on the rifle, only the M22 designation. The purpose was to provide a “sanitized” rifle to underdeveloped Third World nations to conceal the weapon’s origin. The selector markings were marked in Roman characters. L (LEIN meaning continuous) for automatic position in the center, and the lower semiautomatic position is marked with the letter D (DAN meaning single). Other characteristics and features were the same as the standard Type 56 rifles. None of the M22 rifles examined by the author at the time his book was written had underfolding bayonets. The Type 56 Chinese AKS-47 pattern rifles were the first of their kind to be imported for civilian sale into the United States in the mid-1980s. Many of these were marked “M22”, which indicated that they had originally been intended as military aid outside of China, and converted to semiautomatic fire only. As far as stamped spiker underfolders exported for commercial use in the US, Polytech offered one and there is probably others but that one comes to mind. They were produced at two different factories. 1. State Arsenal 416 located in the Shan Dong Province, China; Model AKS-762; PF designation. 2. State Arsenal 386 located in Fu Jian Province, China; Model AKS-762; CF designation.

So is this a side-folder or under-folder?

So recently I read an excerpt from a 1944 Military Intelligence Document talking about The Wehrmacht's Smoke troop tactics on Lonesentry ( GERMAN SMOKE TACTICS FOR SUPPORT OF COMBAT TROOPs). I have only ever seen one uniform for a smoke troop. A few questions 1) Would they get Assault Credit for a GAB? 2) Do any of you have any photos of uniforms that you own? 3) Any other information or Items of Interest would be appreciated. I find it interesting that they were their own branch and not part of Artillery. The only thing that seems similar today in the US Army is the Chemical Corps Branch. Would that be pretty equivalent? Thanks to everyone who has responded.

Thanks Odulf.

If you look in the middle of the photo with the red circles, it looks like there is an imprint of some gulls now that you mention it. Thanks for the comment. Glad that I made some cash over it.

I did not buy it, I sold it. It came in a box of stuff that I got from a relative. I had no clue what it was nor any need for it, so I sold it. Sorry for the crappy photos, but I just took it from my phone to put it on here. It was the weirdest collar tab that I have ever seen.

As the topic states, I just recently let go a Black Collar Tab for the Right Side (Where the Runes would go or something else???) on an auction site. I was thinning out some incidentals that had no use to me. I never could figure out what it actually was due to it having six holes in it for the Right side of the Collar. Is it some strange SD (they had nothing on their right) or is it something as simple as a EM Luftwaffe Pioneer Collar Tab missing the metal insignia (Most likely a Pioneer or Sapper Feldwebel)? <---I am thinking this. Where there Luftwaffe Personnel on temporary assignment to the SS (some strange posting) that wore SS Uniforms but used their own Rank? I simply don't have an answer to this one folks. Any help would be appreciated. Please see the photos that I attach.. I am thinking that the two front photos of the Collar Tabs are upside down, but don't mind that.

That is a crazy story Chris. Really neat.

Chris, I know a guy where I live that is a big Bavarian Collector 9has tons of stuff). Would you like me to see what he has and see if he would share some photos with you?

Chris, I have a good amount for Baden Leib Grenadier Nr. 109. I have an officer, and some Field Grau EM ones. Let me know and I can send you some photos.

That is one of the nicer ones that i have ever seen.

Bob, I think Willi is on this forum. I just spoke with him this week. He has some new tunics since you posting. He doesn't exhibit anymore. Great man.

Very Nice.

That is real awesome. Especially since this is from your Grandfather. Wow thanks for sharing

Andreas I just read everything. Thanks so much! My next step is to try to search around for a set of EM Boards or Tunic (if real lucky) for the Battalion for my family display. That may take years or not in this lifetime.

It takes me a little time, but yes I do. Thanks for the reply.

Ouch!

How did you ever let that go Chris. Amazing!!!