Daniel Murphy

When you look at it again write down all of the markings and what the proofs look like. To my knowledge the german military never made a 98 with a brass stock disk. Steel, yes. Brass, no. Also, the german military had enough guns left over from WW1 to more than satisfy their needs for years to come, I do not believe they needed to make any more in the 20's unless they were under contract to another country to raise money. Most German reworked Gew 98s were reworked in the 30's and the sight assemblys bear codes like s/42 etc. When you get all your info you should repost in the firearms section. Perhaps someone there can figure out what it is. I do know the czechs reworked a lot of Gew 98's in the 20's and even manufactured them, it may be a czech rework. Not much collector interest there.

Hun Helmet, This is probably a swedish 1896 mauser, many were made by Mauser Oberndorf. Thats is an OK price but not great even if it is in nice shape.

And a side view. I am done now. Dan Murphy

Joe, That really is an odd one. Like it was meant to to be used as a money clip or clipped on a suit pocket. Chris, If he ever sends you the pics, I would love to see them. The weird thing about Imperial Iron Crosses is, you just never know what you might find.

Chris, It is my understanding that the originals (Hindenburg had two) used the same star as on the RAO breast star. To my understanding, one was given by Hindenburg to an adjutant and later sold by his family at auction and in a collection somewhere behind the Iron Curtain (at the time of the sale). The other I believe was destroyed in WW2. At least one of them was made by Godet and had side hooks. Mine is very nice quality and may not be made in 1918 , but I believe it to be made before the TR period. It is almost identical to the Sedlatzek version shown in the Iron Time, only excepting the markings and a different backing for the EK. Argentinian Cattle raisers indeed! Here are a couple more pics of mine showing the Meybauer markings and a stamped K on the back side of the pin opposite the maker mark.

Here it is disassembled. The fittings on the iron cross are custom made for this star, it is not a regular screwback. Notice the age old patina on the back of the iron cross. This is only the second time I have had it apart since I got it at one of the Baltimore Max Shows many moons ago. Dan Murphy

Here is the back, the star is very nice hand finished gilded silver. This one has some age to it. The is a small maker mark stamped on the pin. It is possibly the mark for Meybauer but it is faint and unclear.

Here is my "jeweler copy" one. It is the best copy I have ever seen. Dan Murphy

Chris, I think that anything that could be called a 1914 Ubergrosse, was made after 1939. Joe, I also saw that and I have the EK2 match to Weitze's EK1 by the same unknown maker. It is one piece Zinc or pot metal and measures 44mm. Not that much larger, but much thicker so that it would not break easily. The EK2 on the right is a standard S-W. Dan Murphy

Paul, I could not help but notice that it bears a post 1913 long service medal. I believe this is wrong for this bar since the medals range from 1866 to 1897. The vet would have had 12 years service in before the turn of the century. I think this should have the ealier bar shaped long service award. Dan Murphy

Joe, Nice one. I have one of these with a copper plated magnetic core that was thenn painted black. I think that they could be late war and made into the 30's, but who knows. Frankly I consider this a basic collection variation, but yours is in super nice shape. It would nice if someday, someone found a marked one so we would know who made the things though. Dan Murphy

Joe, What is the writing on the veterans medal or can you post a close up of it. The oddest thing is that it looks like it is on '39 EK2 ribbon. Dan Murphy

Bill, That is the first MFH I have ever seen with a frame that was not steel. I think this more of a keeper than you realize. As far as the odd crown goes, it appears to be the crown of Mecklenburg. It has been guessed that the maker was located there and used that crown instead of the Prussian one. Dan Murphy

David, Technically, it is not a Prussian badge, but a Reichs one. Open therefore for awarding to Bavarians, Saxons, etc. in the naval air service. Here is mine. I lay no claim to it being a "textbook" example. The pin was replaced with a Meybauer style at some point. It is marked "C.E. Juncker / Berlin /800" in three lines. No moon, no crown. Dan Murphy

Vic, Officers and Unterofficiers with portepee (wore the portepee with both sword and dagger) Yes, but Nco's with portepee would have only been senior Petty Officers. Unterofficers without portepee (wore daggers and swords without any knot). No, would not wear the sword or dagger. Other ranks below Unterofficier wore troddel on either bayonet or "other ranks" sword. No, only landing parties wore a bayonet. It was not a standard item of uniform to be worn everyday. They would have been issued out to the landing party and then returned to the armory when they came back aboard ship. To my knowledge only the See Battalions (marines)wore a knot. There was no other ranks sword. The swords with issue marks were only issued to senior petty officers. If an officer wore a bayonet for dress he could wear it with the portepee. For dress, the officer would wear the sword. In 1915 army officer were told not to wear their swords in the field. In this case they wore custom purchased bayonets with their sword knots on them. There was no such order for the naval officers not to wear their swords since most served shipboard. The only naval officers who "might" have worn bayonets were those serving in the field in the naval divisions. More than likely they wore their daggers instead. I hope this helps. Dan Murphy

Paul, That is a pre-war Bavarian Shooting cord or lanyard and is the 11th of 12 degrees (12 being highest). These were worn by enlisted men only. Having collected specifically imperial for about 16 years, I can only remember seeing one before and that was in the 2nd or 3rd degree. Therefore I would say it is a fairly rare and high award. It would not surprise me if the badge was .800 silver. The prussian version which is red, white, black is much more common, but in the higher degrees (with a gilt shield) they get pricy at about $200 to $250. For this Bavarian version I would say more like $300 to $350. The enamel loss hurts it, but the rarity factor still keeps it up there. This would most likely have been worn by a long serving NCO so if the uniform is similar keep them together. Sweet piece! Dan Murphy

And bottom view with makers name and city.

Just a cigarette tin. Top and end view. Dan Murphy

Here is a twice captured trench lighter that was brought back by a doughboy. Made in Russia, captured by German and then, well, he apparently didn't need it anymore. Dan Murphy

Here is an odd match safe. It has a swing out side that allows for a quick reload (of matches) if you need it. It is covered in patriotic emblems that look like model decals. The makers name and the printers guild mark are on the spine. Dan Murphy

Jens, Nice piece I have an intact Gold Saba box I picked up on top of the Dead Man at Verdun in 1991. Complete except for a scrapnel hole in one corner. The litho is still readable but weak. I will post it when I get it out. Here is a nice piece I picked up a few years back on German ebay. It took me 3 months to finally get it, but it was worth the wait. If anyone recognises the mark let me know. Dan Murphy

Magnificent! I love the bullion work on these. Dan Murphy

Aaacckk!! Aaacckk! Honey, pass me the nitros!

Rick, Thanks, I did not hold out much hope, but thought it was worth a try. Dan Murphy

Dave, I only have one word for it. Sweeet! Dan Murphy