Daniel Murphy

The first item out is some anti-tetanus serum in the original box. With all of the rusty junk out in the trenches this was a neccesity.

As we open the lid. The scalpel and tweezers in the leather hold are not german, just to have something in there. No more about them.

Back view. Note the early brass rivets and maker mark "T. BITGEN / KARLSRUHE".

I have picked up a number of WW1 German medical items some time ago and keep them in this WW1 medical orderly's belt pouch. It is quite a bit larger than the 30's-WW2 pouches at about 7 inches (L)by 3 inches (W) by 4 inches (H). The hardware is all brass and it is maker marked but not dated. This would make it pre war to about 1915. Dan

Reverse. Ewwww.

Then there is "What the F#*& is that? Hide the women and children! " UUGGLLYY !! Dan

Reverse.

You have to understand. There are two types of ugly. Just plain ugly like this one with a shattered core. It is now in 5 pieces and rattles around in the frame. Dan

This is probably the original ribbon to this piece. Look at how the ribbon has molded itself to the ribbon ring and the slight wear there. This is what Stogie has told us to look for on medal bars to determine originality. I see no reason why it should not be applied here. Not everyone had their medals mounted, Stogie just recently sold a grouping that was still in the cases/ packets. Dan

David, I'm glad you were able to get it. Now you just need a NC and a mounted one and some minis and.....there you go down that slippery slope. Been there done that.

I would say this bar was put together c. 1938-1939 judging from the droop tailed eagles and the lack of a bar to the EK. The 1939 Wound badge may not have been in circulation at this time since it was only adopted in August 1939. The 1936 was for the Legion Condor only to my knowledge. I do not know if the medal could be updated to the badge like LS awards could. If so it would have applied to the WW1 German wound badge as well. I have seen plenty of retreads still wearing their WW1 badges in WW2. Yes Claudio, I am dying to hear what else was being auctioned. BTW, if you ever decide to part with this bar please keep me in mind. Iw ill give it a good home with it's friends. Dan

And finally for now. A photo of him wearing MY uniform. I purchased the documents and uniform from George Petersen many years ago. This is the keystone in my aviation collection.

Inside showing his rank as Major and with stamps from 1934 to 1938.

Here is his interwar Railway pass as a member of the armed forces.

The other pages.

Inside. I just can't believe this.

Here is his Federation Aeronautique Internationale aviators book.

The other side with photo.

Claudio, I can't believe you have this!!! I have his WW1 aviators uniform and some documentation of his. This just blows my mind. I mean, I know it was possible it was out there somewhere, but to be able to see it posted here. OMG! You just can't Imagine my reaction when I saw the title of this thread. It was like being a kid on Christmas morning and getting what you wanted. Here is his documentation as Feld Pilot and commander of Flik 36.

I'm not sure the owner made it. one end is sunken in a little and the entire buckle is warped. It takes a lot to do this to a steel buckle.

Reverse. This one has the stamped sleeve for the pins, but still has the brazed catch. Notice the darker primer showing through the paint. Yup more mud.

Did I say I like pieces that have been there and done it all. Here is another one that fits that description. It is a Bavarian M15 (The Prussians started making these in late 1914, the Bavarians waited a little while longer. ) c. 1916 with a gray painted finish. One can easily imagine this piece seeing service during the heavy fighting at Verdun or on the Somme. What is that, original mud from the battlefield? Dan

An end on view showing the spring.

Reverse. There is a crudely cast in DRGM mark on the latch, but all I can make out of the numbers is what looks like "220__"

This is a pre war Bavarian private purchase patent buckle. This buckle was used by placing the raw end of the belt (which would have been a special type purchased with the buckle) under the raised stamped out piece in the center. The belt would have had two slots so that the prongs would go through it and be bent over. These two features secured one end of the belt. The other end of the belt had no metal fitting. The way it was fastened was to press the raised button on the spring loaded catch and then slide the other end of the belt under this catch. The angled cut out over one end of the belt made sure the other end of the belt slid easily over it. When the belt was in the proper position, you just release the spring loaded catch and the serrations on the other side of the catch pressed into the leather and held it. The benefits to this type of buckle were that you had an infinite number of positions to latch it, not just one inch adjustments like on the issue belt. This enabled you to perfectly fit the belt to you and made sure you looked your best while on leave or walking out on the town. These would have mainly been used by One Year Volunteers and senior NCOs, but any soldier with the money could have purchased one. I have seen a couple of these illustrated in books, but this is the only one I ever had in hand. This one was most likely worn by an NCO since it shows extensive wear from combat use. OK, On to the buckle itself. Dan