Chip

Mark, I think there were only two distinctions with this insignia. A single "horseshoe" for the Fahnenschmied (Unteroffizier) and a double horseshoe for Oberfahnenschmied (Sergeant). The horseshoes were formed from NCO lace in the same color as the tunic buttons, ie, silver or gilt. During the war the lace was changed to the subdued NCO lace on the M15 Bluse. Chip

Rick, The "Dunkelblau" uniform was replaced for field service wear in 1907. It continued to be worn as a dress uniform until September 1915, when it was replaced by a gray "Friedensuniform". In reality, the old uniforms continued to be worn, prilmarilly in the homeland, by trainees and other homeland forces. Chip

Rick, According to my reference, there was no artillery unit with the number 934. As mentioned, there were 900 series field artillery units, but only a relatively small number. Not anywhere near all of the series numbers were used. On the other hand, the munitions columns were numbered consecutively 900-999. Chip

Normally, if a deceased soldier had been awarded any medals, the family put that into the text on the card. Unless it was spelled out in the text, I would not consider an Iron Cross motif anything other than a patriotic symbol. Chip

In my opinion, neither Biermeier or Hitler are in the group photo. It must be just a group of buddies. Chip

That one looks like it's being used to lob pumpkins. Chip

Bob, Thanks for the offer. I have two Militärpaße from the Jäg.Rgt.Nr.3. One is very nice and the other is from a new recruit at the end of the war that did not get into the action. I would be pleased to see yours, should it ever arrive. I too have lost registered items coming from Germany. I think it is much safer just to send them via regular post. They don't draw any attention. Once that registered letter hits the U.S., the tracking ends and you can find no information. My first lost packet contained 10 shoulder straps (good ones!), about $300 worth. I lost the straps and the money. Our post office just shrugged. Chip

The idea of a database of Soldbücher and Militärpaße has been floated around before. One would have to pick a site for it and then ask collectors (who could decipher them) to add them to the list. It might be interesting to add Sterbebilder to the lists as well. Of course, it would be a huge and ongoing project, but if a template could be devised where one could just "plug-in" their information without too much effort, it might be feasible. Chip

I have been on this site for three years and have had no problems. I use AVG too. I think there may be some pop-ups or maybe not, but simple pop-up blocker could take care of that. The site has hundreds of members from all over Europe. Their Databank is where the strap charts are. Chip

Excellent! In that case, you will first have to go to the website and register. Then I can send you a link to the pages. http://feldgrau.pytalhost.com/vbulletin/index.php Chip

IG, It depends if you want an on-line source or a book. Books are pretty pricey these days. A three volume set of Kraus (in German)now costs about $240.00 before shipping. On the net, the Kaiser's Bunker probably is best for Dunkelblau reference. Field gray reference is a bit more difficult to find. There are sites, but unless you know a bit of German (and just a bit will do) there isn't much for the English speaker. Of course, you can always ask questions here! I could show you just about anything you would like to see. Chip

IG, Your source is correct for the Dunkelblau uniform. With the first field gray uniforms the foot artillery shoulder straps were field gray with white piping and red unit numbers, with the exception of, The Guard Foot Artillery Regiment, which had no number or deivce. The experimental battery of the Foot Artillery Testing Commission, which had a red monogram (APK) with a bursting bomb (still white piped). The Lehr Regiment of the Foot Artillery Shooting School, which had a red monogram (FAS) with a bursting bomb. In September of 1915 with the introduction of the new uniforms, the foot artillery shoulder straps were changed to a yellow-gold color with crossed "Langgranaten" and unit number in red. Chip

Has Chris had a bad experience with the big guns? Phallic envy? Mother was frightened by a car backfire while carrying him? Perhaps it is a question better left unanswered. :lol:

Wish I had one of those buckles....especially the M15. A guy can dream. :love:

Oh ye of little faith! :D

I think there is a regiment number 1 in there somewhere. Chip

Saxon regimental buckle of the Schützen Rgt.Nr.108. However, the shoulder strap the soldier is wearing is not that of the 108th. Perhaps it is a unit that was formed from a component of the 108th or perhaps he was transferred or maybe the buckle was all they had to give him. Any information on the photo? Chip

Nice addition Chris! I just collect examples from the Jäger Rgt. Nr.3 (surprise!). I was merrily adding pieces at an average price of about $7.00 each, including postage. Then things suddenly changed and every example I saw was selling for $20-$25. That abruptly ended my bliss. It never fails. You find a cheap fun thing to collect and before long, the "more money than brains" crowd is buying everything. The same thing happened with regimental Künstlerkarten. What was a $5-$10 Dollar item just a year or so ago, now averages $25-$30, with examples reaching $60-$70. Of course, some of the rise has to do with the exchange rate, but it is a small factor in comparison to the inflation of the selling prices. I suppose I should look on the bright side and be happy that the value of my collection is increasing, but honestly, the investment part is not the reason I collect. Chip

Though not appearing to be feldgrau, this jacket has the Residagrün collar of the Kleiner Rock. The combination of the white Kragenpatten and gilt buttons was also worn by the officers of three of the cadet houses (Berlin-Lichterfelde, Köslin and Plön). Chip

Regardless of the nice thing that Hardy said, there is not a lot I can add, except that the shoulder strap in the photo would have looked like this pair. It is a blue (infantry) woven material, called Gurtband in German. Chip

Chet, Yes, it's fine. It is either an officer's or Offizierstellvertreter's cypher from the Württemberg Ulan Rgt.Nr.20. Chip

Tony, I think you have surmised the most recognized reasons for the Germans using puttees. The German soldier had been issued ankle boots in addition to the normal boots for decades. So the availability of the ankle boots was already there. Puttees had existed as part of outdoor wear for hunters, etc. Other than the color of the wool, there was little to differentiate a British from a German puttee. The German puttees came in several varieties, including those made from wool, canvas and papercloth. I believe they are more difficult to find than are the British examples and they are also much more expensive. Chip

Older generation? If you think about it, Chris, they are probably about your age! Chip

Hardy, What a shame! It was quite an impressive monument. Well, at least you have the photo and the stickpin. Here is a photo of a member of the regiment, taken in Emmendinen. Chip

Super photos and information! Chip