Chip

Well, he appears to be have the pre-1894 marksmanship lace on his cuff. His NCO knot is also interesting and though it is hard to tell, it looks like an Oberj?ger knot. Could this be a Hirschf?nger that he is wearing? Chip

dphillipsd, I suppose that someone has already told you this, but assuming that your relative was with the regiment on the 28th of March 1918, it is logical to assume that he was one of the many casualties suffered on that day, when all three regiments of the division (185.Div.) attacked. They were in the area of Monchy le Preux (southeast of Arras). Chip

Rick, Great research as always, but more notably, a story told with much craft and humor. What impresses me is the breadth of knowledge of history and language, put together in a most artful manner. Great reading! Chip

Rick, Brandenburgisches J?ger Bataillon Nr.3 Chip

Well, ET64 would be the correct maker mark for such a helmet. The details of the rim crimping and the arcs of the curves are the real tell-tale signs. It's best to compare against known original pieces. From what I can see in the pictures, it appears to be an original. In addition to that, I might say that it would take some long time or effort to create such an even, deep rusting over the entire helmet. Seems like a lot of trouble for a faker to go to just to produce a rusty shell. Chip

This is patterned after one of the most common (of the scarcer Bosnian Kappeabzeichen) Austro-Hungarian cap insignia/fund raiser pins. There was a design for each of the Bosnian regiments. Chip

Daniel, Interesting design. I have never run across one to buy and I have no idea what the price range for the various Belgian made flare pistols is. I suspect, due to the relative numbers when compared to a Hebel model, they are commensurately more expensive. There's a nice article on these and other German flare pistols in the "Gazette des armes" No.149 from January 1986, though you have given us a more in-depth look at this model's workings. Nice going! Chip

Hauptman, Well, if you want some info about the cap, I can tell you that it was worn either by an enlisted artillery man (foot or field artillery) or someone in the Verkehrstruppen (technical branch), which would include, Flieger-, Eisenbahn-, Kraftfahr-, Telegraphen-, Pioniertruppen. The markings indicate that the cap was reworked (or just cleaned up) at the Prussian Bekleidungs Jnstandsetzungs Amt (B.J.A.) of the VIII Armeekorps, a kind of recycling station. Given the lack of earlier markings in the lining, I would guess that it was probably the replaced part. It might have evidence of other repairs. The"ga" is a Garnitur (clothing condition use status) marking meaning "garnisonbrauchbare" or a better condition suitable for garrison wear . I'm not sure about the other "G", but someone else will be able to tell you. Hope this helps. Chip

Hauptman, All nice items and I especially like that cap! Thanks for showing them. Chip

Rosenberg, Well, that appears to be the correct officer's style eagle. I don't see anything but the Reichskokarde in your photos posted here. What are these other people refering to? Sending you a PM regarding what I found out. Chip

Rick, OK, what is "imperial double time"? I assume it means he got extra credit for some service in order to get a 25 year medal, without being in the army in 1897. Was he a reservist with an official's job the rest of the year? Still learning. Chip

Tony, Yes, there is a book. Back in the early 90's I was contacted by Herr Meinlschmidt and along with many other contributers, provided him with photos and drawings of tags. The book is quite good and came out in German originally, but was subsequently printed in English in 1993. The book is soft backed, 199 pages. It was self published by the author and I can find no ISBN number on it. I will send you the author's last mailing address by PM. Regards, Chip

Chris, If you have seen Peter Meinlschmidt's book "German WWI Identity Tags/Disks" you will know that there were many more kinds of Erkennungsmarke. For instance, sea based naval troops wore a pin backed tag. My example is shown in the book. There were also several other shapes of tags that were worn, seemingly by entire units. Some of the colonial disks were round. I have about 75 disks and all but a few fall into the standard issue categories that Tony describes. Oooh, I really like that Saxon J?ger tag. Nice. Have you ever seen a Saxon example with a green and white cord? I have nearly all of the state colored neck cords, but have not been able to find a Saxon one. Chip

Chris, It's a dream of mine to own one, but the current prices put them out of reach. I should have bought one back in the 1970s when they were less than $2,000. I have never seen a Bavarian manufactured one before. That has got to be a rarity. Congratulations! Chip P.S Do they make reproduction carrying straps for the MG08/15?

Daniel, I have taken the terminology from Kraus' books. Years ago, when I did my first article on the subject, little was known about the correct terminology or the chronology of use of the various pieces of German anti-gas equipment. Reenactors at the time were calling the bag a Saccule, which just did not sound right to me, so I never used the term in my writings. Kraus did his homework and came up with the actual official names used during the period. Given that new information, I went back to the posting on the "Before 1919.." website and updated my information. These pieces are shown in Johan Somer's new book, "Imperial German Field Uniforms and Equipment 1907-1918". I have also seen this Stofftasche f?r Atemeinsatz 1917 in the aforementioned ligher weight, red canvas material. Chip

Daniel, What a luxury to have a choice! I got both of my bags back in the 1980's when you didn't have to take a second mortgage on your house to get one! The red/brown bag that I had was the lighter weight material, like these earlier gray examples. Too bad the markings are not legible on your piece, but this is pretty typical. Many were never marked at all. The earlier one that I have has a decent maker mark and is clearly dated 1916. Chip

Daniel, Nice set. My early one has the spare filter compartment on the other end and two additional button holes added (by the owner) to the sides of the flap to better hold it down. Chip

Whoops. Both of us adding something at the same time. Looks like yours is the earlier model that had the 1916 changes added. One of mine is like that, with the "D" rings added and the third compartment divider removed. Chip

Daniel, Is it maker marked or dated inside? Both of mine are size "2"s. I have seen a "3". but never a "1", except in period photos. Chip

Hauptmann, I was on the staff of Kaiserzeit from 1972 unitl it died. It was a great run and about the only place you could get any information on imperial German militaria at the time. The downfall was the last printer, who seemed to decide that he would just keep the subscription money and not send anything out. He had the gall to ask people to send more money after getting only one issue for the previous years $15.00 payment. Finally, everyone got tired of waiting and sending money and just threw in the towel. Kaiserzeit lasted for over ten years, which is a long time for a publication that was put together with articles by unpaid enthusiasts. I still have a complete set of the journal. Chip

Could this be the same man? Lots of similarities, i.e., last name, theater, Beamte (only at this date he is a Feldlazarett Inspektor Stellvertreter). Chip

Daniel, Sure, I have two of the Segeltuchtasche, one the M1915s (converted to M1916) and a M1916. Over the years I have had about five of them, even one in redbrown canvas. I wrote the first article printed about them, which appeared in Kaiserzeit in 1982 and was reprinted in the Phoenix Exchange a few years later. The article is now visible on Johan Somers' "Before 1919" website. Of course, much more information has been uncovered since then and is available in Kraus's 1999 books "Die Feldgraue Uniformierung des deutschen Heeres 1907-1918" (though he did pinch at least one bit of information from my article). I also have a Atemeinsatztasche M17. Chip

OK Jens, about your website, I gotta ask.....which one of these Grabenschweine are you? I'm surprised the museum would let you climb all over their main exhibit. Ausgezeichnet! Chip

Simon, My items are in storage in my basement, but I will be glad to dig them out this coming weekend and take some photos for you. I must say, however, from your description, the belt sounds fine. I would say that if your buckle has an original leather lead tab that matches the buckle in condition, there would not be too much to worry about. I did pull out about six of my M95 buckles and none of them has a steel keeper on it. That part doesn't sound good. We shall see..... I went to my notes to look up Offerman & S?hne and found that you have asked about this buckle before, because I have an entry in my imperial leather workers list with all of this information from the tab, with your name. So you must have given it before. Chip

Yes, I have several pieces. It seems his specialty was Sanit?ter and Krankentr?ger pouches. I have also logged several of the kidney shaped, three clip ammo pouches that were worn mostly by pioneers and second line troops that carried the carbine (Eisenbahn, Telegraph, usw.). This is the first belt I have encountered, but I would be relatively sure that it is a good one. The buckle being bad is not a gaurantee that the belt is also bad. Can you post a photo of the two items in question? Chip