Chip

Tom,

This crown does not look like they typical imperial era shoulder board crown. Most of them were stamped. The only ones I have seen that are flat on the back are those for the extra thick cyphers and crowns, which varied according to regimental standards. Whatever it is, the board itself is not imperial. As you say, these devices appear to have been on your boards for a while. One can plainly see that, but while interesting, it really doesn't mean much.

Chip

Here is a Bavarian Feuerwerksoffizier. The underlay is black.

Tom,

The crown would be an erroneous addition. No crowns that I can think of on Nazi era boards. Someone just stuck it on there. Your second strap is also altered. It started life as a Saxon junior medical officer's (doctor) board. The "BL" is, in my estimation, a civilian device, once again, added at some later date. Attached is a picture of a similar Saxon board, to give you an impression of what it originally looked like. This one is the M1915 field pattern, while yours would have been for Kleiner Rock or Friedensuniform.

Dave,

The underlay on the MW officer's board is black. Sorry if it looks like dark green. This is a standard pattern MW board. I also have this officer's black velvet/silver bullion sleeve patch that would have been worn just prior to this pattern of strap being introduced.

So many stories, so little time. Thanks for this one.

Chip

To keep the original thread going, here is another interesting piece.

Willkommen Kurt!

It is even more rare to see this buckle still attached to the brocade belt. Quite a gem.

Chip

Dave,

The shape of the two tabs are not the same, and thus not reversable from one side of the collar to the other. The tailor must have put the Tresse in the wrong place?

Christophe,

Your Kragenpatten are not reproductions. I am not sure what they are, but they definitely do not go with the beautiful officer's boards that you have shown.

Chip

Rick,

The backing for the overcoat tabs of the See Bataillon was white, but the Litzen were yellow. Like Dave, I cannot find any prewar unit with an all white insignia. Here is an example of the 1910 version of the See Bataillon enlisted collar Litzen for the tunic. The center section is field gray.

Chip

Rick,

First of all, you are correct, these are enlisted Kragenpatten. You will notice, if you can make it out, that Dave's collar Litzen are in matt silver thread. This enlisted version has white cotton Litzen. M07/10 enlisted Litzen were sewn directly on to the collar with no backing material. These, therefore, must be overcoat tabs, which were still being worn when the war started.

Chip

Rick,

So what then are the silver awards that I have seen?

Chip

No idea what happened to the crews, but much that was on these ships was removed when they were refitted. I have a set of navy landing troops gear taken off of one of these interned ships. At one time, the Philadelphia shipyards stored a host of military items taken off of these ships. Another item I saw from this stuff was a beautiful pair of brass navy flare pistols in the original wooden case. Neat stuff!

Chip

Stogie,

Beautiful document and quite scarce. I once saw in a collection back East, the officer's version. The company commander was awarded a silver plaque in the shape of a shield, topped by a Kaiser crown with flags and trophy display. It was wonderfully inscribed to the individual. Exceedingly rare, as you can imagine. I think I have pictures somewhere of another one that sold on ebay a few years ago. As I recall, it brought thousands of dollars.

Chip

Chris,

I think I have listed these before in another post, but

EKII 12/17

EKII 06/18

I'll have to do some digging to find others.

Chip

Der Spiess is not pleased!

Chip

Just a brief thought. I started collecting in the early 1960s, mostly gathering items from relatives and neighbors. Over my long collecting career, I have had only modest funds to spend. Here I am over forty years later, with my last kid in college and I still don't have much to spend. It used to be that a modest sum could get you a pretty nice item. Now, I am pretty much relagated to postcards (don't get me wrong, I love collecting photos). The point is, it is not only the new collectors that are being priced out or squeezed out of collecting.

For years I just satisfied my interest by inspecting artifacts and keeping lists of manufacturers and dates. A cheap pasttime that allowed me to keep my interest going. To reiterate the point that Rick was making..one can continue to pursue the hobby by other means than money. If you have a deep abiding interest in the subject, you can research to your heart's content without spending a dime.

Chip

Rosenberg,

I know that there are plenty of fakes around and that they are getting better all the time, but your stein has struck me as being completely original. This field is not my specialty, but I have a few pieces in my collection and have seen many over the years and yours just has the attributes of a period piece. Good luck should you decide to sell.

Best regards,

Chip

Luftmench,

Wow, I really like the dress sleeve rate. All of mine are in cloth. Never had a chance to get one with the pretty red enamel. Nice!

Chip

Glenn,

You say the honor of wearing the Garde Sch?tzen uniform was granted to him? Would he not have had the preogative to wear the uniform of any of his former units? Was there some sort of formal bestowing of the uniform? What was the process?

Chip

I see the name Faller on your Baden document. It must have been a common name in Baden, as I have a grouping of papers (diary, Soldbuch, Milit?rpa?, Wehrpa?) to a Bertin Faller, who served in the Baden battalion of the 3.J?ger Rgt.

Chip

Ralph,

Any outstanding examples in your collection? I am still looking for one from the Hoch und Deuschmeister (4th) Infantry Regiment and the Edelwei? Division.

Chip

Chris,

The thing about my ribbon is that the two represented overlap, like they would if two ribbons were placed in a buttonhole. I suppose it could be used on a Spange, but it would not look quite right. Also, they are not the normal ribbon width for full size medal ribbon, but are rather smaller.

Chip

Concerning the double ribbon woven as one, were these specifically made for the small ribbbon bars or could they also be used as buttonhole ribbons?

Chip

Could we see the markings, buckles, any other distinctive features?

Chip

I have not been watching for them, but I did see a post on another forum that showed the interior and the badge as well. Unfortunately, there are so many forums that I can't remember where I saw it.

Chip

Tony,

These helmets are coming out of Afganistan. They are real WWI German helmets that have had a new liner system installed and the holes on the side are for a modern badge, which apparently has been removed from all of these helmets. As you can see, quit a few of them are hitting the collecting market.

Chip