Mark,
I think you pretty much have it in that photo of Eric's. All you got was a mess kit, a spork, a cup and canteen. A salt bag was issued as well as a coffee tin. That was about it. Everything else came via meals-on-wheels or iron rations.
Chip
Don,
Yes, I have three entries in my data base for K. Schorp of Stuttgart. All three items are dated 1917 and are, a mapcase, a Mantelriemen and the straps for a pair of Steigeisen (climbing crampons).
Chip
John Walter's "The German Bayonet" says that the origins of the S14 are obscure, but that the evidence supports the widely held belief that they originally were seized export bayonets. Later, starting in about 1915, newly made examples were produced with a 300mm blade.
Chip
There were only two arm-patches. This propeller fpr engeneers, and a steering wheel for helmsmen.
There was also a radio operator's patch and I think a searchlight one as well. These may not have been official, but I have seen them being worn in crew photos.
Chip
It looks to be a visored Einheitsmütze, in the style of the M1908 issue Schirmmütze. It appears to be a private purchase piece, considering the silk lining. So, it could be imperial or the Reichswehr army version. Nothing about it says Landwehr, besides the cockade, which may or may not be original to the cap. The Sterbebild shows a M1908 cap.
Chip
The red numbers were used (by decree) up until August of 1914 when the orders came for changing to the green numbers. Later, the numbers were ordered to be removed altogether.
Chip
Personally, I clean the surfaces with a mild liquid soap and when dry, apply a thin coat of vaseline, which I then wipe off. It doesn't do much to remove corrosion, but it does make them look better and protects the surface. I generally avoid examples with a lot of corrosion, but if I could clean them the way Kornel has, I would change my mind about that.
Chip
Hello,
Does anyone recognize this patch? It is on a field gray backing with the commander's flag and the arabic number "18" beneath. I have had it for years hoping to identify is as imperial, but some suggest to me that it is from the postwar period. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Chip
Interesting that as a Fahnenjunker he was issued a Signalpfeife. I assume that the Trageschlaufen are the belt loops with rings that are worn for attaching the Tornister straps when cartridge pouches are not worn. One wonders why he would not be issued cartridge pouches.
Chip
Ed,
It is actually a little known fact that the Austrian army was experimenting with genetics in order to cut down on the expense of trench periscopes.
I've never seen any evidence of an issue sewing kit (aka: housewife). They don't appear in the lists of issued items. With most units having a tailor and a cobbler, my guess is that a soldier would just have them make repairs.
Chip
There was no Saxon "love" regiment.
But you are correct about the Leib Regiment's buckle. That buckle on Ebay.de is misidentified. It's a private purchase piece, as is the belt and I'll bet both are not unit marked. Wishful thinking on the part of the seller.
Chip
Chris,
I think this only holds true for Württemberg infantry. Their regiments wore a mixture of Brandenburg and Swedish cuffs before the war, but standardized on the Swedish cuffs in 1915. I can't think on any Prussian infantry units (other than some Garde & Jäger units) that would have worn Swedish cuffs.
I doubt it is RIR.11, as he would not have Swedish cuffs. If you look at the cuff piping shade in comparison to the red piping down the front of the tunic, it definitely looks darker (black). I think he is a pioneer.
Chip
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