Chip

Very nice Eric. I have not seen this model carrier before. Chip

My steel Hessian also has a Lederwiderhalt on it. Chip

Chris B., I didn't know this myself until I found one at the Stuttgart Sammlerbörse back in 1980. Before that, I had seen an aluminum Reichsadler on an Ostasien helmet in the collection at La Pompelle (Reims). Chip

Yeah, he looks like he is ready for anything. These Ausmarsch guys never seem to know just what they will need when they get there. Chip

Thanks Chris. I keep stats on this. Chip

Chris, Who is the Hersteller of the leather tab on the Hessian buckle? Chip

Here's some closer detail from the belt of an artilleryman from a mountain unit. He is carrying some spare ammuntion pouches too. Chip

Chris, So you are saying that the aluminum version (rust resistant for the humid climates?) is for the white Tropenhelm and the brass version is for the tan Tropenhelm? There is a drawing in Zienert (it says circa 1914) that comes from a contemporary uniform plate that shows the white metal plate on a white helmet, but then I have a photo of an obviously tan helmet with a white metal eagle. Chip

It would be a lot more fantastic if you could see the Edelweiß better. I do like the strap on his simplified tunic, however. Chip

If you have seen a real one, you know better. Chip

Marcin, There were actually a bunch of units that had an "L" Chiffre. The crowned "L's" are always royal initials. The Luftschiffer "L", of course, had no crown above it and was a different style. Regards, Chip

Nice photo Andreas! It's good to see one that shows an officer's version. My cloth example is black velvet with silver wire border and letters. It belonged to a Saxon officer. I have a pair of his shoulder boards too. Chip

Chris, What does that ammo box have printed on the lid? It's difficult to see it all. I can make out "....für,,,,,,M.G. Munition ". The first and third words are unclear. Thanks, Chip.

Do you think that is that a brass or aluminum eagle on the front of that Tropenhelm? I thought only the III.See Batl. wore the aluminum front plate while on duty in China. The other battalions supposedly wore the brass eagle both at home and when overseas. Chip

Chris, This is pretty common for Hessian troops. It is speculated that the XI.Korps (Prussian Kurhessen) made up for shortages in the XVIII Korps. Chip

If you already have a drag strap (which I assume you do), then a MG man would be the easiest to build. The gear would just consist of a P08 holster and belt (with buckle). You could throw in a bayonet or a trench knife if you wanted to. Not every MG man qualified for the MGSsA insignia, so you could even leave that out. A Bluse with infantry shoulder straps, trousers, boots, a Halsbinde and helmet would round things out. Depending on what you envision, I would forget the storm-trooper. Extra items for an infantry set would be, Tornister with Mantel- and Kochgeschirrriemen, Messkit, Zeltbahn, Zeltbahnzubehörbeutel (with rope, tent poles and pegs), overcoat, cartridge pouches, breadbag, entrenching shovel with Spatentasche, bayonet and frog, bayonet knot, Gew.98 with sling & a canteen. Quite a list with a total cost (if you could find everything) of about $5,000.00.

It's similar to the Württemberg Passanten, only Das Deutsche Heer shows the black line being on the outside and the red to the inside. Chip

Chris, Are you telling us you bought it not knowing it was unit marked? Seriously? Would you show us the maker's stamps on the leather tabs? According to some expert German buckle collectors, the two-piece buckles (with the applied roundels) in gray are the very earliest ones and just steel extensions of the M95. Supposedly, the later one-piece versions are post 1915. Chip

Isn't this the book that was going to come out years ago and was based on Marshall Daut's collection, which Malcolm bought? I know many of the things from Marshall's former collection were sold, but supposedly photos of everything were taken and were going to be included in this book. Chip

The top pair are from the 17th Train Batl. (as in supply train). The Oberleutnant board (if yellow) is from the Feldartillerie Regt. Nr.36 (West Prussian). I believe the Hauptmann board is from the 5.Garde Regiment zu Fuß. Chip

Jim, As mentioned on the other forum, I think these are pre-9/21/1915 subdued boards from the Prussian Pioneer Batl.Nr.15. Chip

And the "other" Oberlt. Vollmer (dR) of the LIR 120. He got intimate with Sgt. York. :D

That's certainly could be the case, as this eagle does not have the detail and craftsmanship of the last model. Chip

The artwork on them, for the most part, is outstanding. They make great displays. Chip

I would imagine that not too many of these were made during wartime. So, you are most likely correct in thinking that it was manufactured before the war. Certainly, they were in the field very early in the war (sans the eagle) and with the eagle for gala and other dress occasions, but I really don't see where there would have been a need for more to be made, given the unit was only regimental in size and that the helmets were replaced with steel helmets at some point.