Chip

Thomas, While it is possible that insignia could have been created due to this order, given the late date and the state of the German army at this time (in retreat in many areas), it seems unlikely that such insignia would have been created. The Germans were having trouble carrying out uniform changes that were mandated in 1918. The likelihood that un-mandated ones were being pursued, is even less. Chip

Both the collar and the cuffs on this tunic have been reworked. Was it done during the period? Anybody's guess. The "Zacher" and red "Wien" ink stamps are postwar markings (the Zacher name is related to the theater business). The buttons are replaced. A tunic from this period should have nickel or painted steel buttons for a pioneer. I think this tunic started life as something other than a pioneer. It could very well be a total put-together. Chip

You are correct. That second word in the second line was the only one I was unsure about. You already knew! Chip

Sandro, I believe it says, "Leopold, Prinz Regent, Generalfeldmarschall 1916". It looks like a handwritten signature, but I can say nothing about the authenticity. Chip

Robin, Those markings on the pennant don't make a lot of sense to me either. I suppose the "K" in the regimental abbreviation could stand for "Königin", but the order of the letters doesn't seem right.I have never before seen any stamps (the red date) on the actual body of the pennant. My issue lance pennant is made from cotton linen. From the looks of the mothing, yours is made from wool. Lots of questions about this one. Maybe the "K" stands for "Kombination"? Chip

Hello Andreas! Yes, you are correct, the Swedish cuffs make the difference. It can only be the 1.Gd.Rgt.z.Fuss. The other regiments with plain, white piped straps (5.Gd.Gren.Rgt. and 5.Gd.Rgt.z.Fuss) had Brandenburg style cuffs. Chip

It appears that the shoulder straps are blank. If that is the case, this guardsman could be from several units that had white piping. There is no indication of any rank above a basic private, so I am wondering about the visored cap. This type of cap was not normally worn by non-NCOs before the war. Chip

The skull looks like a perforated bicycle seat! Chip

Gilles, I make no claims that this is a Sturm Bataillon cap. I'm not sure what the markings mean. It's all just speculation. I'm putting it out there for comment and hopefully some information with arise. As you say, there is no telling when the skull was added. It could just as well be a Freikorps thing too. Chip

Thomas, I may have posted that insignia before, I don't recall. German soldiers that served with the Austrians often wore Austrian cap badges, especially the Bavarians. Pictures of this are not uncommon. I would have to take a look through my photos to see if I specifically have one that includes an Edelweiss. Chip

One that you might be interested in is a couple of clear photos of an awards ceremony attended by the crown prince. The soldier nearest to the camera has a Sturmgepäck on his back and a metal sewn-on sleeve insignia of crossed grenades on his upper arm. I have one of the insignia that I got at the same time that I got the photos. Chip

Here are two additional photos of the cap with the "St.B.XIV" markings.

19.b.IR with field cover.

Nachtrichten-Ersazt-Abtl.Nr.1

Etappen-Sanitäts-Kolonne Nr.5 (or possibly...Sanitäts-Kraftfahr-Abtl.)

Sanitäts-Komp.Nr.121.

All good points Thomas. I get the same emotion upon discovering something formerly unknown or unproven in a period photo. I have some unpublished/unknown surprise photos myself. Speaking of the "St." abbreviation, I have a cap that came out of the woodwork (I am the first collector to own it) that has an unusual skull on the front between the cockades and is marked inside "St.B.XIV". I'm not saying that this is a Sturm-Batl. marking, but I have not been able to nail it down with any certainty. I suppose it could be a battalion staff marking of some sort, but it just seems odd that it is with a corps type numeral. Perhaps it is not a corps mark at all, as, of course, the original Württemberg cockade would indicate the XIII Korps and the cap has that appropriate BA mark as well. There is also an unreadable circular stamp that is very intriguing. It is not easy to see, but I have included some of the markings for your viewing. Chip

One man's pittance is another man's fortune. Chip

I still think I'd take the insignia. I love the photos too, but I have been collecting cloth since 1961. Once a photo is published, everyone can have a copy, but a photo of a rare piece of cloth is the same, a copy that anyone can have. I'll take the patch. To each his own. Chip

Chris, He was in the 1st company and was declared missing on that date. The regiment was withdrawn from Verdun on July 17th and went back to the Carpathian front. I have a Sterbebild from another 1st company member who was killed on that same date. I have three more from the 4th battalion who were killed the next day. Chip

I didn't find him in the two Bavarian battalions of the 3.Jäger Rgt. either. Chip

In WWII, Patton would have just slapped them and sent them back to the front! Chip

The photo looks detailed enough that you could read the unit designation from a blow-up of the shoulder straps. Chip

Makes sense Chris. Chip

I also have such a Soldbuch and I think the reason for the factory job was, as Speedy says, the soldier was unfit for further duty due to debilitating wounds. Chip