Daniel Murphy

Yes, this is what was used in the large German Maxim "Pom-Poms". many on naval mounts were converted to carriage mounts and converted to AA guns. The allied flyers called them "flaming onions". Dan Murphy

I think you answered your own question here Kev. The Chinese did use German helmets in WW2 but they were m16s and m35s purchased during the 20's and 30's. I don't know anything about german led panzer divisions in China , but there may have been a few advisors there. Once Germany aligned itself with Japan in WW2, they most likely would have been withdrawn. Kind of a tough spot, Allied with one country and advising their enemy. The Chinese also bought Maxims, Mausers (Rifles and pistols)etc. during the above time frame. Dan Murphy

Yea, but only a couple have ribbons. Why bother? They do look in very nice shape, I wonder what they did with the packets? Dan Murphy

Gordon, your "CD" looks like an "ED" to me. Only the top half of the mark is visible. On the piece marked on the small ring, could it be "We"? They are usually marked there. Dan Murphy

This helmet is not real. It is modern done. Notice the ear cut out is farther back on one side than the other. The cut out is larger than on an original. Every original I have seen, the top edge of the cut out is level with the front brim. This one is not. It is likely this was made from an original M16 marked ET 64. Here is an original that Helmut Weitze had for sale. Notice how shallow the cut is and compare it to the one shown on ebay. If you find an original, you would be better off to leave it as is. There are so many fakes around these days, if you ever decide to sell it and it has been repainted, re-linered, etc. It may be hard to prove it was an original. Do these look like they came from the same stamping die? Dan Murphy

Actually, I have heard this referred to as a "Black and white front". I believe a "Prussian Front" was similar but with a medal bar including only the recipients Prussian awards. I think Brian von Etzel should respond to this because his grandfather had two medal bars. One with Prussian awards and one with his Prussian and other states awards. I don't know which one would be worn under which circumstances, but someone else may be able to help with that. It probably was done since if you were a Prussian, you valued those awards more than ones given by other states or duchies. Dan Murphy

Good cross and I believe the engraving is good as well. No need for a name, the owner already knew who he was. Dan Murphy

I agree, it looks like a good one. It looks a like it was worn for many years with pride. Dan Murphy

Tony, These are technically not carriers, they would have been used to cushion the projectile while in the carrier. As to who made them, it is hard to say, but there were small cottage industries all over Germany making items for the war effort. Dan Murphy

Steve, It is indeed quite convincing, just not convincing enough for me to believe it is real. This photo was the one that told all. Notice the poor detail to the crown and cross on top. It looks to have been cast from a mold made from a real badge. Notice what appears to be pock marks around the lower band of the crown. This only appears when an item is cast. Originals were die struck and finely detailed, therefore this , IMHO, is a fake. Dan Murphy

Here is the group of three. There were four, but my best friend took a liking to them and I gave him one. Oh, one more thing, they appear to be braided by hand. Lets see, figure how long it would take to make one and multiply it times how many million shells? Dan Murphy

I picked up these a couple days ago and thought you ordnance/ field equipment collectors might be interested. These were woven from straw and were used to protect 77mm artllery shells from being banged around during shipping and while being carried in the caissons. Unsprung horsedrawn vehicles on uneven rutted dirt roads are not exactly easy on their cargo. I don't know much about these, but I assume the one without the "window" was used on standard HE. The others were most likely used for schrapnel and gas shells etc. The Window allowed the gunners to tell what type of shell it was by the color showing in the "window". Not what I would call a rare or highly desirable item, but how many do you see? Notice the "window" on this one with the white stitching at top and bottom. Dan Murphy

Yes. As in nice condition, not played with, unbuggered. Don't go overboard with the cleaning. Some 0000 steel wool and a good gun oil will work, but leave the wood alone. That will remove the light rust and leave the blueing intact. Some prefer the brass polished, but that is a personal decision. Dan Murphy

Nice photos of the original Stogieman. It is odd that in the first photo with the overcoat that he is wearing a blue feldmutze and that the boards are plain with no number or cypher. Must be his recruit photo. Christmas 1916 or 1917 was spent in the hospital. That must have been loads of fun, especially with those beds. Ouch! Looks like he made it to Sergeant with the Iron Cross 2nd class and perhaps a Hesse-Darmstadt bravery medal in what looks like the 123rd Regiment? Do you know if he survived? Dan Murphy

I agree, they look good to me. It is a Allgemeine SS NCO board for the black uniform. Dan Murphy

I do not collect this period or country, but I have to say that pilots badge is stunning. When I saw it, the quality just took my breath away. Congratulations on a great find. Dan Murphy

You have a couple of nice clean pieces there. Sorry for not catching this earlier. I have one of the french bayonets made into a swagger stick....with a bite. The entire hilt was simply replaced with a two piece aluminum knob and the loop removed from the scabbard. Since the french could technically not modify government property, I believe it was German done. Just the thing for those dark nights when you are walking down the street in an occupied town. Dan Murphy

Great pieces guys , Kevin, those mini's are great I would love to find one. Chris, beautiful, I had no idea that the anniversary cross existed. To have both on a bar is truly sweet. Ralph, I love the green one. I have never seen one of those. Now look what you all have done. Made me want to go look for some of these. Dan Murphy

Commander of UC22 1 Jan, 1918 - 16 May, 1918 Commander of U73 16 Jun, 1918 - 14 Jul, 1918 Commander of U47 12 Sep, 1918 - 28 Oct, 1918 Coutesy of uboat.net Dan Murphy

Looking at the back of it, a couple of the medals have an extra piece of ribbon hanging down that should be attached to the backer. I also do not like the the ribbon on the Carl Eduard Medal hanging down further than the others. If these were all mounted at the same time by the same man, they would look identical. Therefore I believe it is built up from original materials from other bars. Dan Murphy

When the round is loaded the extractor is holding it from being seated. As the gun is closed, the machined stud on top of the receiver cams the round into place so the rim does not catch on the receiver. To fire the cocking knob is pulled until it locks and then the trigger is pulled. Dan Murphy

To operate, the button on the right side of the receiver is pushed to unlock the breech. The barrel is then swiveled 180 degrees for loading. Note the rounded locking stud and the extractor are one piece.

Matching number of the cocking knob.

Markings on the top of the receiverand breech.

With the grip frame removed one can get a view of the firing pin assembly inside. Note the firing spring and the rebounding spring to return the firing pin.