Hauptmann

Very nice collection

Just for the record : Dan, the legend on your "Cousins" postcard is wrong - both wearing Prussian uniforms.

George V is wearing the uniform of K?rassier-Regiment Graf Ge?ler (Rheinisches) Nr. 8 - of which he bacame Chef c. 1908.

The Tsar is wearing his uniform as Chef of Husaren Regiment Nr.8.

This regiment was not fitted with the Pelisse, BUT Colonels in Chief and Generals "? la suite" of Hussars Regiment were granted one - that can be recognized by its brown fur lining.

The photo was taken at the occasion of the wedding of Ernst August v. Braunschweig-L?neburg (late "of Cumberland") with the Kaiser's only daughter, Viktoria Luise. They married on 24th may 1913, in Berlin - and that was to be the last big gathering of European Royalty.

It was customary since the mid-1800s for royalty to wear the uniform of "their" local Regiment when visiting a country. It is said that Emperor Wilhelm I started the trend when visiting Austria after the 1866 war, not willing to further infuriate the defeated Austrians.

Jerome

Hi Jerome,

Many thanks for this info on my card. I'd have never caught it unless I had it near another reference showing the same with the correct info. I'll have to make a note of it and keep it with the card.

Thanks again!

Dan

This postcard, published in France by Alex Jouvene is printed in Spanish. and t translates to "A bunch of empty shells near a battery".

Hi Eduardo,

Wow! Now that's alot of shootin'!

Fantastic collection. Keep them coming!

Dan

Hi Dave,

I too would love to be able to get one of the ones with pictures as I know that will add so much to it. I'm going to be saving my pennies. Had one job fall through but going to go try for another which if it works out I'll have alot less time but more $$'s to dedicate to the hobby which will be nice. And of course your book is at the top of the list. Who knows... I might get one of each... with and without pics!

Dan

Dan,

I susupect the one long service award was left off the four place ribbon bar because it was to be worn on a shirt. Ribbon bars are limited to four ribbons in length when worn in the short sleeve oreder.

Regards,

Gordon

Hi Gordon,

Certainly makes sense. That has always seemed so strange to me... coming from the German tradition of wearing just about everything but the kitchen sink, as well as the same Soviet tradition it seemed so odd that they'd limit the number of awards that could be worn at any given time.

Dan

He also served in the NVA

Hi John,

How can you tell? I looked at it again... granted I'm not feeling all that hot today... got a cold or something but I can't see any reference to the NVA.

Tell me your secrets.

Dan

Hi Dan -

Unfortunatly - the case is not mine. I have only seen two of them. One in the Hungarian Military History Museum and the other in Gordons collection. It was an item reserved fof ambassadors and upper officers of other nations as a gift. Super rare. The badges by themselves can be easily purchased, but that case - probably not.

Hi Charles,

Figures. Heavy sigh. I'm big on those types of cases. I have a fairly nice one which I keep most of my high TR copies in but can easily switch out to other things. It's similar to the red one but is black. It was originally a case for a plate with a picture of one of the Popes in it along with the title and description of same in gold on red silk on the upper liner. I had a friend who wanted the plate and liner so I carefully removed those. Got what I had in the case from my friend for those and kept the case which she wasn't that concerned with. She framed the liner and presented it and the plate with holder to one of her aunts (one of several who are nuns) and I then converted the case to use in my militaria displays.

But I'm always on the lookout for more.

Sure is a nice one. Perhaps something similar will pop up someday. Will stay on the hunt as one never knows.

Thanks!

Dan

Hi all,

Just out of curiosity, does anyone happen to know if there are any decent models, preferably in a fairly good size... say around six inches to a foot long range, of either the A7V or the tanks used by the allies?

Thanks,

Dan

Just got this officer's patch knife from the same source. It's about 7 3/4 in. long with a horn and brass hilt and hand forged blade. I imagine the tang is peened over under the pommel. The second one doesn't show in the scan, but there are 2 brads through the pommel.

Hi Tom,

Another "nice" one. Actually you can see the other one up near the top... but it's only barely visible.

Dan

OoV -

Your example is the only one to exist - there was a push in the mid 60's to early 70's to have all sorts of badges for different professions in the serivces. The borderguard one you have is for someone who was a squad to company leader of a border region. (depending on the size and threat of unwanted folks coming into the country).

The box you have for the 800 hour service medal is a late 70's to late 80's version. Wood and paper boxes were too costly to make so the injected mold plastic cases became the norm during this time.

Nice start to your collection - I dont even have an 800 hour medal

(I am stealing your photo gordon!!!)- but here is an example of all the badges they made for the army alone for wear on the dress tunic

Without even seeing the rest of it... I think I LOVE that big case. Did it come with the badges as a special grouping/display or otherwise where did you get it... and can one get more? If so, details please.

Thanks,

Dan

Hi Pat,

Another fine gift from your grandpa. I love the coloration on this one. I've seen several that are similar over the years in their wear, etc., and have always liked them. This is definitely one to be proud of, especially due to the family history of him bringing it back. Those pieces, I think, are always some of the best.

Thanks for sharing this one Pat,

Dan

Hi Pat,

Nice piece. Looks like he got this right from the factory or supplies warehouse. Great shape... especially the fold overs on the back. I've seen so many over the years that are missing one, several or all of these.

That was very nice of him to give you this.

Thanks for sharing it.

Dan

Hi Martin,

I can definitely see where someone newer or more inexperienced could jump for this one. Nice coloration on the wreath too... definitely has that older "been there, done that" look.

Many thanks for posting this one. I love to see a variety of all these fakes from the really terrible examples that are a waste of material right on up to those which give the experts problems. It's one of the best ways to learn what's good and what's not and why... just as seeing and if possible handling a wide variety of good original examples is highly recommended to become more familiar with what to look for in good pieces.

Dan

I notice the remains of some dark greencloth could it be that the moths have eaten all the wool and left the cotton base, giving the impression of a 'tropical' set?

Hi Mark,

No idea on this one... it's possible though. These are just as I got them... the damage already having been done by that time.

It's a shame as I've seen stuff that's been taped, glued with all sorts of glues, clear, black, you name it and put into albums, then later removed, often not very carefully.

I've no idea what I got these for as it was well over twenty years ago and they might even have been a gift or a throw in. If I did buy them then it would not have been for very much... maybe a couple of dollars or so.

Just had always assumed they were tropical due to the khaki material. But as I'm far from an expert in this area I'll have to leave it to more expert minds than mine as to what they really are.

Thanks,

Dan

Hello Dan, Yes they can be addictive. and it's necesary to keep a cold head many times. I started it just as a project for school (my main collection is Roman coins) http://www.grifomultimedia.it/adg/monrom/Index.htm

But I got more involved as I saw the graphic and historic posibilities of the cards.

This postcard which follows is of the same serie as the Battisti ones. This one if of the execution of another Italian hero, Lt. Damiano Chiesa. A pilot whose excution was also photographed and transformed into post cards to scare the resistence in the Trentino. The outrage of the Italians was such that soon the Austrians stoped issuing them and tried to recall the ones already in circulation.

Eduardo

Hi Eduardo,

It never ceases to amaze me how many times in history countries have done this sort of thing thinking they'll frighten someone into stopping their resistance to tyranny, only to have it backfire... often badly.

As to coins, that's great... I also collect ancients... primarily Roman. Nothing spectacular as yet but I've been picking up what I can whenever I can.

If you'd like to see them send me your email address and when I get time over the next few days I'll try doing up some scans of what I have. It's something I've dabbled with over the years... never been able to dump a ton of money into it. But the subject fascinates me as does all numismatic history... including currency, etc. I also metal detect and how I'd love to go into an area where they have ancient coins and where it's legal to detect and retreive such treasures... such as in England. I know some folks who have gone over and come back with spectacular finds... all legal and above board. Great stuff including some gold as well.

I've managed to pick up two or three basic references on ancient coins and used to get dealer catalogs as well which I still have in storage after our move.

So how long have you collected? Do you have an area of specialization such as the Emperors, or just a particular Caesar, demonination or a particular metal you collection such as all bronze or all silver? I've never managed a silver... and that's been a long time goal. I was rather stupid and have kicked myself ever since. Can't remember the Emperor pictured but I passed up on an absolutely spectacular silver piece between the size of a U.S. nickel and quarter... a sizeable piece and with a fair thickness as well. Beautiful silver with a lovely light patina to it... nearly a rainbow. If I remember correctly it was around $49 and I should have grabbed it. And now even rough examples often go for that.

Probably should continue this in emails or PM's so we don't go much further . Again send me your email address via PM and I'll do up those pics and send them along first chance I get.

Thanks,

Dan

And the side with the ID information:

[attachmentid=56609]

In this case, from top to bottom:

The Betty Bomber taken in August 1944.

The Dinah taken in August 1944.

The Zeke also taken in August 1944.

They also show various Imperial Japanese Navy ships as well.

If anyone else has any similar U.S. Navy or military educational aids I'd love to see them.

Dan

And a selection of the cards.

Front the side with no ID:

[attachmentid=56608]

The back of the box:

[attachmentid=56607]

And now a set from WWII.

Front of the box:

[attachmentid=56606]

In this case spelling out my name:

[attachmentid=56605]

And showing all the various information one needed to learn from each card.

And some of the cards themselves... in much better shape than the box.

[attachmentid=56604]

Rear of the box:

[attachmentid=56603]

And yes, they're a bit worse for wear but they trained many a cadet... including this one.

And a deck of cards for training in Morse Code, Navy flag code and the phonetic pronunciation of letters used in military radio communications when spelling words in order to avoid confusion.

Front of the box:

[attachmentid=56602]

And Receiving:

[attachmentid=56600]

In this case the letter is shown in the window to the right of the word RECEIVING. A clever little gadget which amazingly uses no batteries, computers, chips, electricity or other high tech.

Next is a device for learning Wig Wag communication with flags.

First Sending:

[attachmentid=56599]

You turn the outer letter nibs till the letter or number you wish to send is pictured in the small circular window to the left of the word SENDING. In this case... the letter Q.

On the back the Morse Code is shown:

[attachmentid=56598]