JamesM

To add to Laurence's initial post, but a little older!! Cheers, James

Chris and Glen, Thanks for the info! I do have some more info on this fellow, but am always hoping to find a little bit more! He was born in Weida, Thguringia 28 May 1881, and was alive in Berlin in 1956. Joined the army 15 March 1899 (field artillery) and retired 30 September 1932 as Generalmajor (1.3.32). Called out of retirement for WW2 as char. Generalleutnant with seniority of 7 November 1938, switched to Genlt zV 1.6.41. He served as a Section Chief in the War-Sciences Department of the General Staff 1 September 1939 to 7 January 1943, and was put on the final retirement list 31 August 1944. (Info courtesy of Rick Research) I have one of his tunics, which looks quite nice with the Wilhelm Ernst War Cross he won in WW1!! Cheers, James

Chris, I have this much for him...just wondering if there is more??? Cheers, James Leutnant 20.11.00/31.1.00.1 in Feldart Rgt 17 Oberleutnant 18.10.09 L42l in Feldart Rgt 69 and to General Staff Hauptmann 18.10.13 G3g in General Staff Major 18.5.18 #5 (final Reichsheer seniority) Reichswehr Ministry Training Section (T4) 1923, Staff of Art Rgt 3 '24 Oberstleutnant 1.1.25 Deputy CO Fotress K?nigsberg '28 Oberst 1.2.29 Chief of Artillery Wehrkreis I 1.10.31 to retirement

Hi Chris, How about Hermann Starke??? Cheers, James

Rhodesian Selous Scouts!! Cheers, James

Mark, Are both the badges you posted made of zinc? The broze version appears to be of a bronze metal and not just the finish. Is it just the scan that makes it appear this way? Cheers, James

A bit of trivia, but they are also a sister regiment to the PPCLI!! Cheers, James

Jacaranda, The quality of the first run ingot, in both finish and definition, don't even compare with the second run. I imagine they had the same ideas as Werner Reuteler, ?Reuteler Manufacturing?, when they did the restrike...money! There was an increased interest and demand for S/Scouts items, so why not cash in on it. The way things were going in Rhodesia at the time, I would have tried to make as much money as possible too! However, that leads to the point you brought up with all the restrikes and excess materials from the quartermaster's stores. I don't have a problem with the original items, obviously, but the restrikes are another thing. Luckily, some of the restrikes can be discerned from the originals from the materials they are using to make them now. This is why sites like Peter's are a plus for collectors. He sets out the good from the bad. Like most militaria items being reproduced, they are generally the more expensive items that the fakers are putting out. Having sites like this and Peter's, can only help to clear the muddy waters a bit and hopefully save someone from shelling out hard earned money for something that's not original. On a good note, I think I can safely say that the original dies for the Selous Scouts items are in safe hands and will not be used again!! One last shot of the secong run ingot with case. Note the colour difference in the velvet lining! Cheers, James

The outer case!

[attachmentid=61015] Just on aside note to this...I believe that these ingots were produced after the initial run of 1500, for sale to the public. I'll enclose some photos of one of the ingots that I feel is a "post " first run production piece. This type of ingot has nowhere near the definition of the initial run, they do not have a serial number on them, and the case, although the same design and material, does not come with a Selous Scouts Osprey affixed to the lid of the case! Cheers, James

Jacaranda, The cap and collar dogs are anodized aluminium. I have both the first and second pattern cap badges, as well as issued and unissued berets. The colour on the wings range from the dark chocolate brown with full lacquer, to well worn ones with little finish left. Yes, I'm aware of Peter's site and would highly recommend it as well. As a matter of fact, you'll see several of my items on his site under the Selous Scouts items! I'm sure at some point the ingots were available for sale to the public. I have an email from a fellow in the know who had told me the story about how they were initially made for the regiment and after they sold or awarded their share of them to their members, they were released to the public. Cheers, James

Hi Chris, Three of the wings are issued for sure and possibly a forth! One is numbered but not issued and one is unnumbered. Issued numbered wings can reach a hefty sum, depending if they are for a European and or a decorated Scout, either European or African. Generally, a set of wings for a African Scout will start around the $500.00 mark. The unissued but numbered wings can start around $60.00 and work there way up and the unnumbered ones are around the $60.00+ mark as well....if they're from the "original dies"!! Cheers, James

Some new additions, in case someone else likes this stuff!! Cheers, James

The inside! Paul, The head used is just styrofoam! I know, I shouldn't use it, but it was just for the photo! Cheers, James

And the helmet that started this thread!

Here is the Fliegerbluse that goes with it. Again, sorry for the photo quality!

Hi Paul, This is not a very good photo, and, it doesn't show the helmet I mentioned, but here is an idea of what I have. Cheers, James

Hi Paul, Thanks for the reply! Yes, they are getting up there in price. I did some looking and have seen them well over the 4K mark. I'll have to part with the one that I have and would like to know what to put on it. I imagine if I wait another week or two the price will go up again! I'm just glad that I obtained my Para stuff before prices went mental! Cheers, James

Does anyone have a clue as to what the going price for a mid to late war M38 Fallschirmjager helmet, with no decal, is? To give you an idea, the same as can be see on page 69 in the Robert Kurtz book, German Paratroops! Cheers, James

You could always use seal skin, they're good in the wet weather. Oh wait.....everyone is opposed to us clubbing them!! Cheers, James

Jacques, Thank you for posting the photos! Are the pieces that you have, or observed, quite vaulted? They are quite well done and should be a cause for concern for those not familiar with them. Did the dealer say who makes these? Cheers, James

Has anyone compiled any sort of reference with respect to Russian inventory/museum stamps that are found in captured German uniforms? Can anyone make out any of these stamps? Cheers, James

B&NL Spanish Crosses......has there been any further consensus on these crosses? I know they had been discussed on another forum, where some were quick to condemn and others just weren?t sure? Has there been any evidence one way or another on these pieces? There seemed to be differences, if I recall correctly, in the makers mark and quality of some of the B&NL crosses that were owned and discussed by the collectors on that forum. Cheers, James

Hi Chris, Thanks, they look much better in hand than in the photos. You are correct about them being given to regiment members as well as being available to be purchased from the minters. Who might this other collector be if I might ask? If you'd prefer, you can send me a PM. I might already know the fellow, if not, I'd be interested in contacting him! All the best! Cheers, James

Hi Chris, Yes, I'm sure they were awarded while the scouts were still together. If you are familiar with the book "Pamwe Chete", by Lt. Col. Ron Reid-Daly, this award can be seen being presented to the two (black and white) RSM's of the regiment. Cheers, James