Chip

​Yeah. That's me on the front left. Out of focus as usual.

Here we go again. The background FG cloth is a poor, shoddy substitute for the real thing. More junk, IMHO. Chip

The cap in question has a taller profile than a normal issue cap, as you have shown in your comparison. The gray area below the bottom edge of the band is wider than on issue caps. The lining is not typical. The legible marks look like some property marks from a costume shop or a theater. The blotted out mark is worrisome. I suppose it could be OK, but it certainly is no issue cap. Once you get into the private purchase area, you can make excuses for anything. It's a fine line sometimes. Chip

Those Kraus books on the field artillery are readily available. I have the infantry volumes, but not the FAR books yet. They are at the top of the list the next time I get some money. Chip

Chris, According to Meinlschmidt, these tags were worn alongside an oval pattern up until the adoption of the M1915 tag. Chip

I have shown this helmet cover on other forums. I bought it out of a Canadian collection that was breaking up in 1985. I thought enough of it to pay a goodly sum for the time. Since that time I have seen so many reproductions, that I don't know what to think about this cover. I have to say that I have never seen another like it, though admittedly that could be either a good sign or a bad one. Anyway, I submit it for interest's sake. Chip ' alt='' class='ipsImage' > ' alt='' class='ipsImage' > ' alt='' class='ipsImage' > ' alt='' class='ipsImage' > ' alt='' class='ipsImage' >

I like that piece Jock. Quite nice!

Supposedly, both the officer's and enlisted Rautenborte came with either white/silver or gray/subdued lozenges along with the blue. In period photos, you normally see the white, though, the gray version was supposed to be for the field uniform. My 1916 dated Bavarian Bluse has blue/white braid. I bought original meter strips of both the officer and enlisted version while in Germany back in the 1980s. Chip

The M1915 pattern.

​In the feldgrau era (1907-1918) the best indicator was the shoulder straps, which were plain with various regimental piping colors. For the M1907 tunic, the first regiment had nickel buttons while the 2, 3, 4 regiments had brass buttons. Other than those differences, the tunics were pretty much the same.

Both the October 1917 and April 1918 British Index to German Forces in the Field show it assigned to the 96.I.D. Von Stein's research shows "23.Res.Felda.Br.der 23.R.D., He.Art. Ob.Ost,,Mai 1917 96.ID., März 1918 53.R.D., zuletzt He.Art. b. 18.Armee". Chip

Chris, If you could see mine, you would know. I've got 16 issue Feldmützen and have seen hundreds more over the years. From that knowledge and observation I can form a pretty good guess. I have to admit, however, that the repros are getting better and better to the point that one has to have a piece in hand to make a determination. Chip

Ambitious fantasy piece. Chip

I have two issue Train caps and this is not even close to them in construction. If I could only see the outside, I would say it could be a private purchase cap, but seeing the inside, I really have my doubts about it being a period piece. The lining appears to be an effort to look like an issue lining and doesn't match what the outside says. Personally, I would advise to leave it alone. Best regards, Chip

Hmmm. If you put them together in a drawer, they multiply. Why didn't I think of that?!!

Andreas, Thanks for confirming that. I had given those straps that identification tentatively, but I will change that to "confirmed"! Best regards, Chip

Chris, There were quite a few 600 series infantry units as well as a couple of 700 series battalions. I've never been absolutely sure what the 900 series infantry type straps were. Some say infantry MG FLAK, though I'm not 100% sure of that. Chip

Eric, Thanks for the additional photos. It appears that medal is for 25 years service to the Hohenlohe Factory. The ribbon looks Austrian, but I'm not sure the pin has anything to do with it other than it may have been owned by the same person. Regardless, it a very nice pin. Chip

I don't believe the bar belongs to the (miner's?) medal. It is an Austrian Sturmtrupp-Kappenabzeichen. May we see the reverse of the pin? Chip

The Wappen is most likely just a souvenir. These wax items seem to be popular in Bavarian. I was given one with the Wappen of Ingolstadt when I visited the Bavarian Army Museum. Mine has a cord so you can hang it on the wall. Chip

One for a small caliber pistol would be more likely.

I think it is warm sheep-dip.

Officers found out pretty quickly that it didn't pay to carry a sword.

Which units are they from? Chip

Eric, I don't see any underwear in this photo. I think you are getting off track.