Chip

True, but in many cases they sewed the ribbons right where the button hole would have been anyway. Chip

My pleasure. French enlisted personnel generally did not have any insignia on the shoulder straps of their field uniforms/coats. Will your friend be keeping these? Regards, Chip

Hello Jocktamson, They are all German from the WWI era. From left to right, Foot artillery regiment Nr. 13. Flight Training Detachment Nr.1 (Flieger-Ersatz-Abt.) Infantry Regiment Nr.85 (could be other types of units, but most likely infantry). Best regards, Chip

I think the article I read said that it was only a prototype and that the government never went into production. Chip

According to K.-G. Klietmann, such a prototype helmet did exist at the Zeughaus in Berlin. Chip

Due to the fact that they are wearing steel helmets (at least circa 1916), I think it is possible that they have subdued gray Litzen with a white Spiegel. This is the M15 pattern for the Bluse, but M15 straps were worn on the vereinfachte uniforms, so perhaps the Litzen were too. Chip

Jens, Nice piece of paper! Just for the record, do you know the name of the Major who signed it? Is it "von Huth"? Thanks, Chip

I like that 10.b.IR tunic. Very nice. Chip

Jason, The man I found was in the Füsilier Regiment Nr.34, a Prussian unit and apparently he was in I.R.358, when he was killed. The Garde Ersatz Division, which the 358th was in, lost 50% of its infantry while it was in the Verdun sector during the summer of 1916. Chip

I did a quick check in the Ehren Rangliste, thinking he might have become an officer during the war, but there was only one Lt.Hohenberg and there was no "von" in his name. Besides, this one was killed in the Chapitre Wald (Verdun battles of 1916). Chip

It looks to be an early 20th century photo (so 1900-1914). Chip

The cypher looks to me to be that of the Mecklenburg Grenadier Rgt. Nr.89, I & III.Batls. Chip

Yes, that's white piping. Chip

IG, Sometimes I wish I knew half of what I know! There was a nice pair of M15 foot artillery straps for sale on the Feldgrau forum today. The seller wanted 70 Euro, which today is a really fair price. If you are a fan of the foot artillery, here are a few more of their shoulder insignia. Chip

Jaybo, Because so many types of Edelweiß were used, you could find some sort eventually on German Ebay. I just missed one today myself that I was bidding on. It sold for about 35 Euro, so not cheap. The straps are very difficult to find. I have been collecting straps for over 40 years and these two represent 2/3rds of what I have found. The prewar red straps show up from time to time, but the wartime ones are really tough. I know there is a group of reenactors that portray this regiment. You might try to find them on-line and see where they get their uniforms and straps. I can't recall if it is a German group or an American one. Good luck, Chip

Jaybo, The prewar style crown continued to be used up until the new 1916 pattern uniforms and shoulder straps were introduced for Bavarian troops. At that time the size of the crown was reduced for wear on the new narrower straps. I have included a scan that shows the earlier crown (on a 1915 simplified strap) beside a M16 strap with the smaller crown. You will notice how both straps are unfinished on the bottom end as they were intended to be sewn into the shoulder seam. The regiment would still have collar Litzen in 1918, but they would be the shortened variety, sewn directly to the collar (no backing tabs). All sorts of Edelweiß were worn. In period photos you see many styles. For the most part, they are metal with pins on the back and with rare exception, no stem to the flower. Chip

I think the whole rig, belt, holster and pouch are private purchase, probably commandeered due to shortages in 1915. If it is an official pattern, I have not seen it. At first, I thought these items might be navy issue, but I think my first explanation makes more sense. Chip

Hmmm. What about the 35th and the 89th Divisions? Chip

Chris, Both are Telegraphists. The strap has "T1" on it. If you are referring to the straps across the front of the boot, it is probably for a Fußschoner, a nifty little contraption that tightened the boot around the ankle so the wearer would not get blisters as easily and would not have his boot pulled off in the mud. Chip

Mike, It's just an observation based on his youthful look. Besides, I think it is possible that the name is Kummer and there was an Oberleutnant Kummer in the Grenadier Regiment Nr.10, whose regimental Chef was Bernhard III., herzog von Sachsen=Meiningen. The cypher on the shoulder board seems to match the 10th Grenadiers also. Another possibility. Regards, Chip

This fellow looks too young to have been in a 1914 Ranglist. Chip

I guess the officials of the 14.I.D. got tired of answering the question, "When will I get my official document" and just printed the answer on the temporary one. Chip

Chris, I have seen this too and I would think it was just tolerated, especially when the soldier was buying his own uniform. Chip

This is one of the first "collector" books that I bought too. It is rather useless, except for it's narration of the Franco-Prussian war. I have not looked at my copy in decades. Chip

Chris, I have been to what is left of Ornes. Can we see the photos? Are they on your site? Chip