Chip

Feel my pain....

As you guys probably know, I have been collecting these for nearly fifty years. Buying straps for $0.50-$1.00 has come a long way. The advent of ebay was the big watershed, as before that, the major collectors in this country could be counted on one hand (all of them still doing so). If you study today's prices like I have, you will find, that for the most part, it is a very small group of collectors (primarily European) who are fighting each other over the most desirable pieces. They have not only driven the prices up, but have also pretty much monopolized the market. I'm sure you all have experienced the frustration and sting of the same wealthy collectors getting, not only the good stuff, but pretty much vacuuming up everything else as well.

I'm sure there are those outlyers, who are not strap collectors and are looking for something from a particular unit due to a family connection or to accompany items in their main collection (Lugers, Pickelhauben, etc.) These people have no idea what a strap should sell for in many cases and they too can drive a price to a point where strap collectors are scratching their heads.

Cyphered straps are no more rare that any other strap within the normal considerations of how long the unit was in existence, how big the unit was or whether it was an elite unit or not. They tend to be collected because they are a finite set and they're attractive.

If there is such a thing as a market price today, I would say the average for a single M07 issue enlisted strap is in the range of 100-150 Euro. An issue M15 with number, 50-60 Euro. Pairs and cyphers bring a premium as do special units, i.e. Artilleriemesstrupps, Starkstrom, Flieger, Gebirgsartillerie, etc..

Officer's boards can be really cheap, especially numbered units. Of course, officer's boards are scarcer, quantity-wise, but enlisted man's straps are more widely collected.

I wish I could quote something close to a stable market price, but there really is no such thing in the auction environment of today. Fortunately, for me, I have accumulated a nice collection over the years, so I can stay out of the fray. I do feel empathy for anyone trying to build a collection now, as it will be very expensive and highly frustrating.

Chip

Agreed, but one would guess they are in a local studio. You see a different backdrop of the mountains being used over and over in photos taken in Immenstadt.

Chip

The special sleeve insignia did not appear until 1918, so I suspect that is why we don't see that many photos of it being worn. Also, it may be a consideration that this was a metal insignia on a cloth backing and those metal insignia got snagged pretty easily. That's why you seen so many that are sewn down on caps, shoulder straps and collars. It might be that they just didn't bother with this except on their walking out uniforms.

Chip

Here's a crew in action on one of the big boys.

I think that spire is Der Grünten, Kriegsdenkmal, Jäger memorial. These guys must be in Sonthofen.

Chip

Light Minenwerfer photos are the most common by far, as it was added to the compliment of the infantry regiment. Before that, all units had been from the pioneer branch. You might want to search for photos of the two larger caliber versions.

Chip

It's the Prussian mark (W=Wilhelm II) with the date of manufacture.

Chip

Chris,

Really? OK, they are M1901 single clip ammo pouches worn exclusively by the MGAs. They were normally worn in sets of four. They were discontinued in January of 1916 and replaced by cavalry pattern M11 pouches. All of mine are dated 1915 and were probably never issued.

Chip

Are there size markings or any other ink stamps on the lining?

Chip

Well then, I guess I have a new respect for my two.

Chip

I need a MG Tornister

Eric,

Hmmm. I'll have to look at mine. I don't recall if it is an MG Bekleidungsack or a Radfahrer Gepäcktasche. Oh yes, you will also need some of these.....

I would have to agree. The wheel looks like a wheel meant to go on a rail. It's a common motif for railway insignia.

Chip

Eric,

Is that 1917 dated pair of Stiefelhose yours? They look just like my pair, same date, ankle ties, etc. Very nice.

Chip

Though the photos are better quality than those in the three volumes Schiffer/Somer's books, I don't see any new or primary source information.

Chip

I saw that one on Emig and about fell out of my chair when I saw the price. Did he actually sell it? That's over twice what I thought they were selling for. But then it does have three cans (I have paid $100 for an empty one!). If the Germans only knew to save them.....

Chip

They are wearing Garde tunics (cuff and collar Litzen), but which specific unit they are from is not evident. They are wearing M08 visored caps, which would have been issue items to medical troops (Sanitäter & Krankenträger).

Chip

Nice displays Ed. I especially like the Luger stands.

Chip

I haven't seen these yet. Who published them (Feldzug series)?

Were they feldgrau or steingrau? What was he asking for them? Inquiring minds want to know....

Chip

Evidently, the Eßbesteck (spork) was introduced along with the M1910 Kochgeschirr.

Chip

I have two unit marked ones. One to an Ulan regiment and the other pictured here.

I believe the unit on the back (of the Absender) reads, "Gebirgs Kanonen batterie 2, 1.Zug, 19.Res.Division. Armeeabteilung Gäde." I wonder why so many of the men have the number "51" on their helmet covers? Perhaps this Kaserne is in Strassburg i.E.?

Chip

Chris,

I think those might be flare rounds in the second photo.

Chip

Tom,

Good luck with your search. Unfortunately, Rangliste don't contain info on Reserve or Landwehr officers, only regular army officers. So, if your relative was a wartime commissioned officer or an NCO pilot, he would not be present in any rank list.

Chip

Chris,

Are any of yours unit marked?

Chip