IrishGunner

Hoping someone can give me some quick assistance on this message written by an U. Offz. in the 5. Batterie, 21. K.B. FAR., XI b. Div. I got everything in the Absender line except his name...begins with "M"? I can only get a few words from the message; so, can't yet figure the meaning.

Glenn, thanks for the additional info. Must have been a tough kid - or just lucky - to earn the awards. Wonder what he ended up doing after the First War and into the Second.

Gentlemen, thanks for the great work! It seems the consensus that our young hero Kummer was in the 10. Grenadiers. So, any more info from the Rang-Liste?

Mike, Ehrenmedaille für Verdienste im Kriege of the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen was my best guess too; and I can see the possibility of the 95. Regt monogram, but it's difficult to tell. Here's a touched up scan of the strap - I'm afraid it won't get much better consider the angle and my capability. Kummer, huh? Bummer. But at least if the unusual ribbon turns out to be Saxe-Meiningen all is not lost. I suppose no one has a Rang-list?

Arnim, I think you are missing the point. I don't see that anyone is attacking a businessman that wants to sell copies, reproductions, are facsimiles (note I didn't say "fakes") - as long as they are identified as such, not only for the original sale, but for all future and subsequent sales as well. I hope you won't take this wrong - my intention is not to disparage. However, most of us aren't fortunate enough to have inherited fine - genuine - collections. Most of us (and probably you as well) have to purchase items with disposable income (of which I'm sure many of us have less these days) and we don't need more challenges (no matter how unintended) in our quest for desired items. That is the point. The purveyor of reproductions and art pieces needs to accept responsibility for even the unintended consequences of his actions. That is all we are asking. If there is the perception that a merchant flaunts that responsibility, then he should accept the criticism and take steps to remove any doubt. That is all we are asking. If not, then he should also expect to be shunned by the very people he might want to attract as customers - assuming he is intending to sell his art pieces to the collecting public in the first place. You are correct; there is a market for replicas. Look at replica firearms for example; clearly, those are big business - but also easily identified as replicas. And I for one will never own a genuine Pour le Merite, but have contemplated seeking out a nice replica. I'm sure there are other serious collectors who have considered the same. But I also shy away from sellers who are not part of the greater "gentleman's collecting community" regardless of what they sell - replicas or genuine. Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous profit-seekers out there - who can and will take advantage of the reputable businessman's effort to fill the replica demand. All we are asking is for the responsible businessman to take steps to ensure that doesn't happen. Responsible is the key word. Simply arguing that a merchant has the right to take advantage of fools and idiots doesn't sound very responsible in my opinion. But to each his own. And each of us have the right to shun such a merchant. Like I said, I don't think you'll change any minds around here on this point.

I really like this post card for its clear photo and unusual ribbon with the EK2 in the button-hole. It looks like some Saxon ribbons (maybe even Baden), but haven't seen it in a button-hole before. His cockade suggests Saxon - at least to my untrained eye. Not much help from the shoulder straps; a difficult to see cypher/monogram. Any help here appreciated. And perhaps most interesting - hoping Hardy can give a good reading - the name at the bottom looks like "Runner" to me... Or is that just fantasy? Could be "Rummer" too - too many humps perhaps. A side note - this young officer looks like he's 12 years old and already decorated twice!

This artillery officer has a nice little spange; EK2 and two others. I think the second one is a Bavarian MVO, but I'm just as likely to be wrong. The third would seem to be a Dienstauszeichen - but which year and which state? Almost looks Wuerttemberg. Any help?

PT Barnum said that a fool was born every minute. True. But I seriously doubt you'll find a sympathetic ear for your line of reasoning here, Arnim. One of the genuine purposes of this forum - at least I sincerely believe this - is to educate those "fools" so that the shucksters can't take advantage of them. That's the real benefit of a "gentleman's collecting community". Yes, it is a hobby - a diversion - but for many of us, part of the joy in that diversion is educating others (not only to collect pretty bits and bobs) and sharing our knowledge. You would likely find equally "obsessed" behavior in any collecting hobby. It's the nature of the beast. Someone genuinely interested in selling to the collecting community (and not out to simply fleece the fools of their cash) would understand and respect that nature. (Oh, and by the way, no one here would begrudge an honest businessman his fair profit.) You get what you pay for. There is so much contradiction and hyperbole in that statement that I don't know where to begin; that's the heart of this discussion - honestly getting exactly what one pays for - whether it be a copy or genuine. Unfortunately, the only truth in that statement is that only the informed truly get what they pay for and then only from honest dealers. All others are simply gambling or shucking and never really "get what they (sic) pay for..." No one's life depends on this - no one will die - and, again, you are right - it's only a hobby; but that doesn't mean it shouldn't have standards and a level of decency between honest human beings.

#6; neck award -- Order of St. Michael and St. George?

Frank; agreed -- looks like something on the VM - probably MID. I was trying to figure out the GSM -- looks like a device there too, but I am not expert enough to know if that's possible.

#6; I agree with Noor - with the last one being the 1911 Coronation.

#3; less certain, but how about 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, General Services Medal, LSGC?

#2; I'm almost certain Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Well done as always

Amazing stuff. I'm really enjoying searching out the unusual WWI post cards; it's quite interesting to see what someone thought worthy to photograph rather than some stock photos. Unfortunately, in another 110 years our ancestors will not have this pleasure - email, e-cards, instant messages, twitter etc have all but replaced post cards. Can you imagine combing through someone's Facebook page in 110 years to glean what life might have been like? I suspect it won't be the same as spending a couple hours trying to decipher a soldier's hand-written note to his wife or parents; sitting in front of the fire with a glass of whiskey at hand. But then again, those soldiers from WWI might laugh at me spending all this time with their scribbles. :rolleyes:

Thanks for the additions, Hardy; so, it seems these ausweis could have looked like almost anything the unit wanted.

Here is the officer's signature close-up:

Here is a photo of an ausweis (ID card) for an Uffz. Emil Jacobsen, with the 2. Ersatz Abteilung, FAR 9, at the Itzehoe Garrison. Has anyone ever seen something like this before? If someone has the regimental history, any chance there is mention of Jacobsen? I'm also looking to decipher the Oberleutnant and Adjutant's signature; and of course, any info on the officer would be great. BTW: the ausweis folds in half like a booklet; the outside is blank.

Anyone have a photo (even from a book) of a German Matrosen Artillerie gun - 10cm Küsten kanone L/50?

Maybe Russia is moving back in more ways than one...

June 1916 - January 1917; 251 Divs has the 21. Res. Div at Verdun - leaving the Verdun front "very much exhausted" on 11 Jan 1917.

Quick Google says 21st Reserve Division. I'm checking 251 Divs now. Update; 251 Divs has the 221 MWF starting in 1916