Daniel Murphy

5th section. Prussian button, 2 Imperial German Colonial? buttons, Prussian NCO hat cockade (top), early Baden officers hat cockade, 1915 pattern lance corporals collar rank button in zinc (top), Bavarian uniform button and a French engineers button

4th Section. Imperial Russian buttons (including one perhaps guard unit button at the top), more domed and prussian buttons.

3rd Section. Domed buttons, zinc German 1915 overcoat button, two french buttons, more Imperial Russian buttons including one in nickle (pioneer?).

2nd section. L-R Brass Bavarian uniform button, painted Prussian pocket button, 5th company German shoulderstrap button, an officers shoulderboard pip, more domed buttons and a Imperial Russian uniform button.

From left to right. 1st section. L-R Early Bavarian officers cockade, Prussian nickle sergeants disk, two Imperial German colonial? buttons, misc. domed buttons. These last could be pre war German or Serbian/Bulgarian/who knows?

Here is a "Hate" belt I have had for many years. The main reason I purchased this one is because it looks to have been done by a German, not a doughboy. The interesting buckle and the number of various Imperial Russian Buttons on it also helped. One Russian button looks to have perhaps been from a guard unit which most likely could only have come from the Russian Front. As you can see from this shot the maker clipped the loops on the back of the buttons and flattened them out to hold the buttons on. Dan Murphy

Magnificent pieces everyone. These originals have got to be so rare and obscure as to be near impossible to find. Thanks for showing them. Dan

This is interesting. I just got a PM from a member of another forum I belong to. It states Since I could not guarantee the originality of the badge (and the fact that I like it ) I passed. Things that make you go Hmmmmm. Dan PS; Dan, Basically what it boils down to, on something like this is type of construction, the materials used in the construction, and the quality of construction. Often the best one can do is to say that it is probably original. From what I see here yours has a good looking wartime weave (it appears)of Feldgrau with a proper light "canvas" cloth backing. Then there is good quality work in two colors and several textures. Then you have the original packet and a provenance (that some one else may or may not believe). So there is an excellent chance it is real. I would wager it was a GI that brought it back though, not a doughboy, c. 1944-46. That is where most of the bagged daggers and badges in packets came from when the makers factories were overrun.

The only thing I can think of is that it is a Weimar army issue actually made in 1920 ( not just restamped)that had weimar eagle proofs. Perhaps it was a Russian capture and thinking they were nazi marks the proofs were ground. I assume it has not been left in the raw after grinding, so it has probably been reblued as well. If so, is it that Russian blue black finish all over ? Russia is the only country I can think of that would have done this. Most of the captured lugers and mausers coming out of Russia have the nazi proofs defaced in some manner. Apparently they did not bother with the imperial proof marks though. I have a Russian Captured DWM Luger dated 1915 and none of the markings were defaced. It does have a sunburst (police?) mark on it, is mismatched and reblued. I use it at my reenactments and save the good ones the wear and tear. Dan Murphy

DWM P08. Which type 1908, 1914, 1920, 1930? What nationality? A little more info is needed and a photo or two would help. Dan

I believe the pin to be original. I have seen several of these with that pin. Dan

Reverse.

And just to add a little fuel to the fire...... I have had this for a few years. Can't say whether it is real or not, but I like it. The crown is padded just like an imperial naval officers cap insignia. It appears to have been well worn. Yes I know it is missing the ribbons (never had them), bullion pieces are not well known for following the design exactly. Dan

Dan, No offense but I like this one better. Reverse

Dan, I do not know whether yours is real or not, But it looks like a possible. There is no wear, but this makes sense if in the original packet. Here is one I cam across for sale some time back (Weitze?)and saved the images for reference. Front. Dan

Rob and Tom, Great buckles. That early Bavarian one is a toughone to find. I know its not a 1847, they adopted it later in the 1880's (I think) but you just don't see them. Dan

Tom, I know. I have one and should have bought some more. I will post it when I have time. But I'm not going to unwrap it. Dan

Dan, Nice buckles, but that 1895 is downright rare. The 1895s were only made from 1895 to 1897 with the Christian cross with rays. After that they went to an Iron Cross on the crown. Dan M.

Tom, That is a great piece. The crown is rightside up and the motto / wreath is upside down. They must have made these with a removable motto die so that they could use the main die for other states as well. Dan Murphy

Well, This is not what I expected at all. . From the construction I would say it is not only pre WW2 but is most likely pre WW1 Imperial! Most interwar buckles would have had the stamped steel collar on the prongs. Except for the size and proportions, this is put together like the Imperial 1895s. Dan

Rob, Thats a beauty!! 1895s from any of the other states are getting very hard to find. I love this type with the pressed out roundel support. Keeps the roundel from getting those unsightly dents and kept them in better condition for us collectors. Dan

Rob, Sorry, I do not know the history of this particular belt and buckle. To my knowledge they were only used in the various African colonies. There are no markings at all on this so I have no idea which colony. I picked it up at one of the shows many years ago. The seller had no idea what it was. Which was good for me. When I get out the field equipment trunk, I will post some more. I have about 30, all imperial of various types. Dan

Peter, I don't know anything about Persian Islamic writing, But that looks like a beautiful weapon, I would love to see the whole thing. Dan

RUC, I have sent you a PM that should help you out. Dan

Theodor, Some nice rare pieces there. It is a shame they have been cared for so poorly, but hopefully you can bring them back. Please post some pics when you do. Dan Murphy