Chip

What do you think? Chip

Alex, This is a very nice photo. These FLAK straps without any numbers or letters are from the Flugmeldedienst. Due to the small size of the units of the FLAKtruppen, their shoulder straps are difficult to find, especially those from the fewer Bavarian units. Unfortunately, there is not much history to be found about them. Chip

Here's the enlisted (non-Bavarian) version.

Alex, According to von Stein's research, this was a Saxon unit, but this does not seem to match up with the black darts in the cords of your boards. No other information is given. Chip

Well, OK, even if the numbers are dark blue....they are too large, the shape of the top of the strap is not typical for issue German shoulder straps, the button holes are too long and the stiching on them is atypical. Finally, it is very unusual for German prewar straps to be finished on the bottom (stitched horizontally across the bottom). These straps for the Dunkelblau tunic were sewn into the shoulder seam, so there was no reason to waste the thread. I think the links to Tony's (Kaiser's Bunker) strap photos suffice in showing what I mean. Best regards, Chip

Yes!! What do I win? :cheers:

I have to agree that this piece looks perfectly legitimate from the front. Based on the description, I would have to go along with the theory that it is an original piece that was unfinished and then "completed" by someone who didn't have much of an idea of what they were trying to do. Anything is possilbe, but I would not count this piece out as being completely fake until I blacklighted it. I have never seen a repro M15 Flieger enlisted strap. I have seen tons of the "simplified" M07/10 unpiped examples. Fortunately, they are all the same and rather poorly made with crappy hand sewn button holes, off-color feldgrau wool and red insignia made from modern thread that melts. I have never discovered exactly where they are coming from. This version is part of a whole series of fakes (mostly cyphered regimental straps and examples with letters, like "LM, SM, etc.") I have seen some of these in the most comprehensive collections, especially the "L" Luftshiffer examples. They have been around for at least twenty years. There are other fakes that are much better and would fool all but the most advanced collector. Regards, Chip P.S. Dante, your red straps with the black "2" are not German military examples in my opinion. I would think they are from some other European country. As far as I know, no German strap ever had black unit numbers (with the exception of some special wartime artillery units).

Looking at the shoulder board with its bright Tresse, I would say this man is an Offizierstellvertreter. Chip

That would be pretty difficult to say. Certainly, there are only a handful of military official's uniforms/insignia collectors. So I would say regardless of the scarcity, there is not a popular interest in this collecting field and thus the value would not be any more than for any other more common epaulette. The storage case is a nice addition and would, I think make the set more attractive. Chip

So when do you publish this? Chip

Thanks Glenn. I guess I got lucky with my answer afterall. How do you access these regulations so quickly? Surely, you don't have them all readily available? Chip

Glenn, I just shot from the hip on that one. Looking in Das Deutsche Heer, it does appear that the Apotheker had a Karmesinrot top and bottom. Chip

Rick, You wouldn't believe it if I told you. Just look at Ebay, there are always some for sale. I guess at $400 and up, way up, they are still a bargain compared to WWII German helmets. Chip

He may have meant a trench knife. NCOs carried pistols too. Chip

Condition being the same, I would guess 40% more for the M18. Chip

I was thinking a Pharmacy official, as they would have had a dress uniform. Chip

Paul, That's interesting. 251 Divisions does not mention a divisional change and Kraus has no information on the divisional attachment for this regiment. May I ask where this info comes from? I'm not doubting it, just interested in an unknown (to me) source. Chip

FAR 505 a.KW. (auf Kraftwagen) Heeres Artillerie, at the war's end with the 5.Armee. Chip

I have made one purchase from him. I experienced no problems and got a rare document (EKII for Garde Res.Pion.Rgt.) for a fraction of what it was worth. It was a good experience for me. Chip

Claudius, My assumption has been that most privately purchased naval insignia were purchased in Germany, either in the port cities (Wilhelmshaven, Kiel, etc.) or through mail-order catalog sales. I doubt that too many pieces were made in foreign ports, though I imagine that it was possible at the overseas stations (Kiautschau, etc.). Chip

Noor, Really nice disk! Chip

Paul, Thanks for the reply. I could not imagine that this book would be so huge. Is it really available for inter-library loan? Does it matter what library you use? Thanks again, Chip

How can one access this book that lists the units known to have had histories written. I have heard of it, but don't know where it is to be found. If it just lists the name of the book, author, printer, date, etc., it can't be that big. Anyone have any information on this? Regards, Chip

Chris, I have the "Foot Artillery Index to the German Forces in the Field", one dated December 1916 and the other February 1918. These were compiled by the British General Staff and list units by sector and batteries. These forces were both mobile and sector troops, so it really depends on the unit as to whether it was stuck to a division or just sat in a sector and supported whatever divisions that happened to be in it. That being said, in the 1918 index, the 1.Garde Fu?art. Rgt., II.Batl. consisted of four 15cm batteries. Only their sector location and last date identified is given. 5.Batterie - Picardy (Baupame-Namur to the Oise) - 20.5.17 (last date identified) 6.Batterie - same - 6.8.17. 7.Batterie - Naroch (L.Driswyati to Vilna/Minsk Railway) - 29.8.17. 8.Batterie - Dniester (Strij/Tarnopol Railway to R.Pruth) - Oct.1916. Chip

Chris, I know little of French bladed weapons, but isn't that picture on your site an artillery short sword? Chip