Chip

Hoss,

Thanks for showing this outstanding set. I've never seen such a complete kit of this pattern. Up to this point, I had only seen battlefield gathered bits and pieces. The photos are nice too.

Chip

Maybe the cross is similar in meaning to something like this.

​Eric,

The Zelts are from Ireland and the Poles, well, you know where they are from. 

"Rittmeister von Boynneburgk"

"L. Stromeyer & Co.  Konstanz"

Andy,

I do have one. It's a Saxon officer's version from the heavy (25cm) trench mortar detachment 22 (schwere Minenwerfer Abteilung Nr.22). It was never sewn on, I suspect because he soon after purchased his new pattern shoulder boards (shown here), which came in the same lot from this officer. The insignia is silver colored wire on black velvet.

Chip

Your info on him is from the Kriegsstammrolle on Ancestry?

Minenfwerfer = Trench Mortar (auf English).

Andy,

Thanks for showing these photos. These patches were only worn for a relatively short period starting in 1915 and ending within a that year. When units became fully identified by their special Minenwerfer (MW) shoulder straps, later in 1915, there was no longer a need for these patches, as they had been worn in conjunction with the pioneer battalion shoulder straps that they were associated with. Few original samples of the patches have survived. Officer's versions were usually constructed with bullion wire embroidery.

Chip

Nice one!

​

Chris,

As said, these are not seen every day. Much more difficult to find than a German can. I think you would be able to get your money back and maybe more if you ran it on an auction.

Chip

The "Vocabulary of German Military Terms and Abbreviations" 1917-18 translates etatsmäßigen as "on the establishment". I assume this means on the permanent rolls as an Unteroffizier.

Chip

So, let's see the cap. I forgot to mention that some of the items supposedly "collected" by this doctor were questionable if not pure fakes.

Is the card attached to something? I don't see anything on the card that indicates when it was written, but the wording seems to suggest actions contemporary to WWI. I have a similar piece of Austrian insignia, mounted on cardboard with ID in German. Supposedly, it was collected during the war by any Austrian doctor. But it's' just a story.

"australischen Verband" ?

"My remembrances of Verdun"  Yeah, that might be very interesting. I wish my Schrift deciphering talents were better. This is pretty good penmanship and we have participants here who are quite adept at reading this

Chip.

Beautiful artwork on that document Chris! Even with the stains, it would look great in a frame.

Chip

Jock,

I have some WWI saddlery and might be interested in the dated prewar and WWI pieces. Any chance of getting better photos? What condition is the leather in?

Regards,

Chip

Always wanted one of these to go with my bugle. Nice!

I tried the Lager, then the various officer's names and could not find any connections. Needs more research time.

Sniper rifle?

Chris,

Looks like white piping so I'd say yes or perhaps also the 1.Garde Res.Regt., which wore the same uniform as the former.

Chip

Don't feel bad Chris. These are actually hard to find and not cheap!

Chip

Hardy,

Thanks for posting this. I'm continually amazed at these soldiers that made it through multiple war years. You wonder how they held up for so long, both mentally and physically.

I'd like to have a nickel for every mile he travelled during the war. The rail lines sure got a workout.

Chip

Here is the bright version on Abzeichentuch.

Chip