Daniel Murphy

Then the other possibility is that this tunic still has the original 1910 Foot Artillery boards which would have been white based (or piped for an EM) and that a Bavarian 15th Foot Artillery Regiment (or Battalion) was formed during the war and the boards just updated with the new unit number. And no, the Bavarians did not wear the Prussian crossed cannons, only a number. Dan

What you have there is an original Bavarian Foot Artillery uniform. This is gleaned not only from the buttons but also the order ribbon precedence (i.e. Bavarian first, Prussian second, anything else third). Unfortunately the feldgrau collar has been replaced by a 1915 style. This happened a lot on heavily used uniforms. At some time litzen were applied (either movie studio or early reichswehr use) and then removed. Had these been slip on boards, I would say they are all wrong. But they appear to be well sewn in and not messed with. I would say they are Bavarian (often the blue and white threads fade out to look all white), so it is possible that this officer transferred from the artillery to the 15th Infantry Regiment and added his infantry boards to his old uniform (stranger things have happened). He then perhaps wore it until his new tailor made infantry uniforms arrived and perhaps even later after being promoted as a field uniform (those boards look a little short, That second pip looks like it is in the buttonhole). So to sum it up, you have an original officers uniform with a replaced collar and right/wrong boards. The Saxon connection as stated by Mike, pulls it all together. So if you find a Bavarian officer with those decorations (MVO4X , EK2 , AO4X ?) who served in the foot artillery and then the 15th Bav. Inf. Regt., this is his uniform. Dan

Personally, I would just leave it as is, a relic condition Ld'H. No amount of TLC is going to make this mint again. It appears to be a early 1870-1951 variation with a gold center. Probably awarded for the Franco- Prussian war or early WW1 (1914-15). Do you know the particulars of how and when it was found? Dan

Reverse.

Here is a Saxon veterans medal I would like to know more about. The ribbon makes me think Saxe-Meiningen. I have never seen another one, so can anyone tell me when it was issued and whether by Saxony or one of the Saxon Duchies. I know this might actually be classified as Weimar period, but since it has the full royal crest with crown, I decided to post it here. Dan

BWDS, Your helmet is marked to the 2nd Company of Eisenbahn Regiment 1. It is also dated 1901 and the roman numeral III is a garniture mark meaning that through use it has been downgraded to 3rd grade condition. Unfortunately, this helmet should have an all silver garde eagle with star and that is missing. It has been replaced by a either line Infantry or Pioneer eagle (if tarnished silver Pioneer, brass is Infantry)that does not fit it very well. So at some point it has been monkeyed with, whether it was last month or 90 years ago, is hard to say. It is up to you at this point whether you want to wait and try to find the correct eagle or not. It is a fairly scarce helmet, but even if complete the value would be affected by the liner condition. Sorry, this is never fun for me, I wish I had better news for you. Dan

I do not believe factory workers would need the hobnails, but I agree that these were probably made for use by rear area (probably in Germany itself) Landsturm troops guarding bridges and other facilities. Germany suffered a severe leather shortage in 1914-15 of which one result was the ersatz pickelhauben. With the German troops marching hundreds of miles at the beginning of the war, it is not hard to believe that many boots were just plain wore out. Boots would then very likely be removed from the 3rd and 4th line units at home for use at the front. This may be what they were given in place of what they originally had. With the 1915 date on these, this would make sense. During WW2, I believe a similar shortage occurred in which jackboots were recalled from those who in the rear for use by front line soldiers. I seem to remember someone quoted as saying" All boots to the front! Those who want to keep them can go with them!" or something similar. I think they are a very nice item and Jens, if you ever tire of them, I would love to have a pair in my collection. Dan

How about German field gear used by the allies. Here is a German Patronentaschen 09 captured and used by a US 29th Div. doughboy. Two souvenir buttons were in one pocket, a wadded up waterproof soldbuch wallet was in another and the third contained a pouch of Bull Durham smoking tobacco and rolling papers. The pouch is marked "H. Tilles / Leipzig- Lindenau / 1915". The two stamped markings inside are illegible. This just as it came out of his trunk. Dan

Great items, I love the ID'd compass and the pouch with contents is awesome. Justin is an odd German first name though. Dan

Does it have anything to do with what appears to be markings on them. Dan

Sweeet!! No so sure about that American beer tasting any better though. What is the motto around the EK, I can't quite make it out. Anything exciting on the pocelain lid? It sure is a beauty, even if American made. Dan

Many German army pilots were seconded to the air service from other units such as infantry, artillery etc. Since they were only temporarily attached and not actually transferred, they continued to wear their old uniforms (with AS insignia added) and their old sidearms. So in one photo a pilot officer could be wearing infantry uniform and an IOD 89, but in another, one could be wearing cavalry uniform and their basket hilted sabre. Naval officer pilots of course would would wear either the dagger or sword. Enlisted personnel who were senior NCOs were also issued swords and what type would depend on their parent unit. I hope this helps. Dan

Barry, The parts you have there are totally legal. Dan

Then perhaps his was a privately commisioned piece. Dan

I have a collector / dealer friend that has the MOH of General Daniel Sickles. He was awarded it for the Battle of Gettyburg in 1863. It is Tiffany made and solid gold, but I cannot remember what grade of gold. It was purchased from a London auction house many years ago for quite a sum. I have had it in my hands a couple of times. Dan

Paul and Rick, Thanks, I thought there might not be enough for an ID (no non Prussians awards etc. )but it was worth a try. I had no idea it might have belonged to anyone over the rank of Major. Thats great news and thanks again. Dan

Yes, I am quite sure. This is not the fancy home duty uniform with litzen, it is the everyday wear (field) uniform in the colonies. http://www.sacktrick.com/igu/germancolonialuniforms/ http://www.sacktrick.com/igu/germancolonia...chutztruppe.htm Here is an enlisted issue version. http://www.sacktrick.com/igu/germancolonia...truppetunic.htm

The all important backer in feldgrau.

I purchased this for the DSWA colonial officers uniform posted elsewhere, but now I realize this man would have been at least a Hauptmann pre war. This is probably an early WW1 bar, any chance of an ID? The ribbons are as follows: EK2 RAO (4th?) PKO (4th?) 25 year LS DSWA sevice Kaiser Wilhelm centenary

Perhaps the only reason the uniform survived. It was used postwar by a German costumer.

All buttons are attached with rings so they can be removed for cleaning.

Boards. They are identical but are shown under different light and photo size.

Low collar with two hooks.

Pocket and ribbon bar.

Close up of the cuffs.