NavalMark

..and a sailor from S.M.S. EMDEN, pic taken in Konstantinopel after returning. He has already received the Iron Cross 2nd class, the Liakat-medal in silver with swords and the Gallipoli Star. The tally is 100% with golden letters, silver would be much more shining like the white stripes on his collar. It is Obermatrose Wilhelm S?ss. Regards CSForrester

...and here an example for a wartime blue cap with sewn on top. B A K for Bekleidungsamt Kiel, the date and size in centimeters. Your 1913-cap should show this kind of stamp with the size in centimeters.

Hello Kevin, here an example for the stamp in a white-one-piece cap from 1890. It shows the letter B A W for Bekleidungsamt Wilhelmshaven, the date and the size from 1-3, small, medium, large. Beside is a sewn in piece of cloth with the machine-stiched Name of the man.

Hello Kevin, yes, you are right. Until 1918 golden and silver letters were worn mixed on board of every ship. The colour is indicating the branch of the man. From mid 1916 until the end of war cap ribbons were also produced with letters from yellow or white artificial silk to save the metals gold, copper and aluminium. Perhaps you can show the ribbon, there are also some reproductions on the market. How is it marked 1913 ? Best regards Markus

Hello Kevin, in the 1870s the branches of the imperial german navy were completely divided in a nautical and a technical ressort. All personal serving " on deck " like seamen, gunners aso were trained at the so called Matrosendivision, all technicl like stokers, mechanics, craftsmen aso were trained at the Werftdivision. In 1884 uniform regulations were changed and from that time all personal from the Werftdivisions (1st in Kiel, 2nd in Wilhelmshaven) had to wear silver coloured buttons, metall-sleeve-badges and also silver-lettered cap ribbons. This stated until the end of the imperial navy in November 1918. The letters in the ribbons were first woven with genuine silver wire and around 1900 silver was changed for aluminium that does not get dark by oxydation. The personal from the Matrosendivision wore all badges and letters in gold. Later formed formations like Torpedodivision, Luftschiffabteilung, Minenabteilung, Unterseebootsdivision... were splitted also in nautical and technical personal. So a sailor, trained at the Unterseebootsdivision wore golden letters, a stoker silver (aluminium) letters. We have written a nice little book about all this, 440 pages and 1200 pictures about german cap ribbons until 1918... but only available in german. Regards Markus Bodeux

Wow, so is No. 14459. Thanks Rick, yes, my great-grandfather was born 13.7.1842, my grandfather 1.6.1886, and i feel like a dinosaur when i remember the stories i have heard from grandfather and grandmother ! Heinrich Hockenbeck became Rittmeister der Landwehr and retired in 1898. He further received -Kriegsdenkm?nze 1870/71 for combattants (of cause) -Landwehrdienstauszeichnung 1. Klasse -Roter Adler-Orden 4. Klasse -Kronen-Orden 3. Klasse The last two he received as director of a Highschool in M?nster. He died 22.6.1905. Thanks again and best regards Markus And here he is:

Hello Glenn, can you also find the father of my grandfather (i dont know the correct english word ... ) Heinrich Hockenbeck, Seconde-Lieutenant in Westf. Trainbataillon No.7 ? Thanks a lot and i will also subscribe for a copy! Regards Navalmark

Hello, do you still need them ? Give me your email, i will send the scans this weekend. Regards Navalmark