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Hi gents, sorry I cannot get anything more detailed for the Cross ; but a badge looks possible indeed. Thomas, Thanks for this photo - very nice ! And... introducing another old Vet'.. Photo re-cut to fit in a 1860s album ; no photographer's détails whatsoever. I love the colouring ! Salutations, Jérôme

Superb ! Cheers, Jerome

Bonjour Colin, Find below the profile view. Cheers ! Jerome

Bonjour, Superb sculpting, congratulations ! Fournier-Sarlovèze was a fascinating character ; there was a very interesting article about him (in French) in "Vivat Hussar" No.16, pp.53-82, Tarbes, 1981.(apparently a reprint of the same article previously published in "Le Ruban Rouge" No.28) Article including a reproduction of a copper etched profile portrait. You already saw that one ? Salutations, Jérôme

Bonjour, Here are text and translation : "J'espère que nous aurons bientôt de vos nouvelles ; quand rentres-tu en classe. Je vous embrasse tous bien affectueusement. Ta Tante." "I hope we will soon get news from you ; when will you start school ? I kiss you all very dearly. Your Aunt." Cheers ! Jerome

Thanks gents for the comments, the explanations on the medals, and checking the name ! MMh, so there seems to be some mystery here ? Well sometimes names found on CDVs are dedications rather than signatures ; doesn't really look to be the case here, but that could be a lead... Cheers ! Jerome

Greetings, Meet Herr Heinrich PRETZEL, who seems to have had some interesting years : Photo was taken in Gross-Tychow (now "Tychowo"), not so far from Danzig/Gdansk. Any chance to identify his other awards / decypher the comments / find out more about his service ? Cheers ! Jerome

Bonjour, Here is a slightly later Greek Cavalry Officer in undress : Cap style is different - more modern, but my Cabinet Photo is likely c. 1895-1900. Your CDV bears a likeness to King Gorgios 1st btw. I'm not 100% here, but that could be him - and then a CDV from anywhere in Europe would make much sense. Salutations, Jerome

Bonjour, Late reply ! But I think Greek Cavalry Officer in undress. See some full dress pics here : http://www.hussards-photos.com/Grece_home.htm Meilleures salutations, Jerome

...but what's more interesting is seeing we have all these slight differences for the dolmans ! Here the braids : And here the sleeve knots ! Meilleures salutations ! Jerome

Bonjour, Most interesting photo again Markgraf ! Here are the other pics I have of Gendarmerie Officers (had these ones for a couple years, and I wondered what the uniform could be for quite some time !) : This one I think Milosch KAPETANOVITS : This one maybe Emil TURIC : This one likely Marian ZACCARIA v. LECH : Kapetanovits seem to have his Austro-Hungarian sword. Interesting that Zaccaria wears boots. Kalpaks have different heights. The medals here are Austrian.

Bonsoir, Dear Demir and Tosun Saral, Many thanks for the photo - most interesting, and a striking likeness indeed ! ..But there are photos of Karl-Ingvar Nandrup online, and the comparison makes me think it's him indeed ? More photos of him here (incl. one in Gendarmerie uniform - with epaulettes !) : http://www.digitaltmuseum.no/search?query=Karl+Ingvar+Nandrup&js=1 Dear Ulsterman, The mission ended in 1909 if I'm not mistaken. I don't think it was labelled a success, from the "Powers" point of view. Plenty of stuff online if you google "Macedonia + gendarmerie + 1903" for instance Gustav von Hubka published a book in 1910, "Die österreichisch-ungarische Offiziersmission in Makedonien, 1903-1909" A bio of Salis-Seewis on "the" Austro-Hungarian reference website here : http://www.austro-hungarian-army.co.uk/biog/salisseewis.html Dear Markgraf, Superb dolman, thanks for the pic - quite interesting that the braids seem to be of yet another model - and that this was made by a Viennese tailor. It is always most interesting to see how "light blue" cloth compares to period photographs. Meilleures salutations, Jerome

Bonjour Demir, Thanks for your message. Please go ahead, information is there to be shared ! Meilleures salutations, Jerome

There remains a small mystery though, as to why Modestus URBAN (here to the right of the photo, on the stairs) is wearing a different uniform from his colleagues ?? Rgds, Jerome

Although this photo has no photographer's backmark, its reverse bears some priceless indications : The officers : Johann Graf SALIS-SEEWIS. Oberstleutnant des Generalstabskorps, he was gazetted Adjoint militaire (Militäradjoint) on 12 December 1903. He would serve from January 1904 to November 1906 - when he was succeeded by Oberst Ludwig Goiginger. It is interesting to see here that he is wearing his national uniform. A few of the depicted Officers came with the first contingent sent to Macedonia : Ferdinand RICHTER Major in Infanterieregiment Nr.54. He served in the Gendarmerie from April 1904 to April 1908. In January 1905, he was serving in the Üsküb School. Stefan PAWLAS Oberleutnant ( Hauptmann) in Infanterieregiment Nr.50. Served from April 1904 to March 1909 In January 1905, he was serving in Üsküb, "beim Adjoint militaire" - likely Aide-de-Camp to Graf Salis-Seewis. Oberleutant Karl SCHINDLER, one of the first officers, died from disease in Üsküb on 30 June 1904. He was replaced, on the same contingent, by : Emil TURIC Oberleutnant in Infanterieregimentes Nr. 52. He arrived in Üsküb on 23 July 1904. He served until March 1909. In January 1905, he was serving in the Üsküb School. The number of officers was however soon deemed insufficient. Russia and Austria led the way : A report from Edmond Bapst,Charge d'Affaires a Constantinople to French Foreign Minister Delcasse (dated 18 October 1904) stated : "The six new officers that the Austro-Hungarian and Russian Governments each decided to send to complement their contingents in their respective sectors of Macedonia are announced as reaching Uskub and Saloniques by the end of the month. (...)" A report from the French Ambassador Constans to French Foreign Minister Delcasse (dated 12 December 1904) stated : "(...) Your Excellency (...) knows anyway that six new officers each from Russia and Austria-Hungary arrived respectively in Salonique and Üsküb to take part in the reorganization of the Gengarmerie in Macedonia, mais that the Porte refuses to hire them in Ottoman service et even forbids local authorities to communicate with them, and as a consequence these officers remain on their countries'pay and keep their national uniforms. (...)" This was however soon resolved, and by a courrier dated 23 December, the Sublime Porte agreed to hire these total new 23 Officers - on the condition that this number would not be increased for any reason. All six Officers sent in November 1904 are depicted here, wearing the Gendarmerie uniform : Eduard JANUSZEWSKI Hauptmann in Infanterieregiment Nr. 93 He served in the Gendarmerie from November 1904 to March 1909. In January 1905, he was serving in Egri Palanka. Alois v. MAROCCHINO Hauptmann in Infanterieregiment Nr. 59 He served in the Gendarmerie from November 1904 to March 1909. In January 1905, he was serving in Kocana. Marian ZACCARIA v. LECH Oberleutnant (Hauptmann) in ungarisch-kroatisch-slavoniches Agramer Landwehrinfanterieregiment Nr.25 He served in the Gendarmerie from November 1904 to March 1909. In January 1905, he was serving in Kumanovo. Milosch KAPETANOVITS Oberleutnant in Infanterieregiment Nr. 68. He served in the Gendarmerie from November 1904 to March 1909. In January 1905, he was serving in Istib. Richard FORISCH Oberleutnant in Gendarmeriekorps für Bosnien und Herzegowina. He served in the Gendarmerie from November 1904 to April 1906. He was replaced in April 1906 by Hauptmann Franz Fabry. In January 1905, he was serving in Kratova. Modestus URBAN Oberleutnant in bosnisch-herzegowinisches Infanterieregiments Nr.1. He served in the Gendarmerie from November 1904 to March 1909. In January 1905, he was serving in Osmanic (and Karova in winter time). Further to these Austro-Hungarian Officers, we also see here a Norwegian Officer, A report dated Salonique, 20 July 1904 from M.STEEG, French Consul in Salonique, to French Foreign Minister Delcasse stated : "(...) after meeting at Salonique, Monastir and Uskub the Belgian and Scandinavian Officers, General Degiorgis was very satisfied with the knowledge they had acquired of the workings of the gendarmerie and of the work thay had accomplished with very limited means. Himli Pacha expressed besides to General Degiorgis the desire that these officers, or at least those who were not charged of inspecting the Police, be employed in reorganizing gendarmerie. They then decided to post to that effect Swedish (sic) Lieutenant-Colonel Nandrup in the sandjak of Pristina (...)" Kaptein Karl-Ingwar NANDRUP then served with the Austrian contingent until May 1906. He was born in 1864, and an officer since 1885. Contrarily to most countries, it is to be noted that Scandinavian Officers served within the Turkish troops with two ranks above their national rank -which was feared to be an issue, as other officers "only" served one step above. He returned to Norway decorated with the 2nd Class of the Order of the Osmanie, Officer of the Austria Franz-Josef Orden, and a gold Liakat medal. This photograph can safely be deemed to have been taken between th first days of 1905 up to April 1906. Rgds, Jerome

Bonjour, Here is an interesting image depicting some Austro-Hungarian Officers serving in "Ottoman Service" (in this case the " " are justified...) with the Macedonian Reformgendarmerie : It is not my intent to discuss here the events that lead the "Powers" to force upon the Sublime Porte some measures to intervene in the affairs in 1903 - nor the outcome of same. I will limit my approach of the Mürzsteg reforms to the elements useful in analyzing this interesting photograph. One of the key points of these was the decision to reform / modernize the Macedonian Gendarmerie - with a view to ensure its impartiality to Macedonians. To gain the trust of the population, each of the powers sent some officers to supervize this. Austria-Hungary recommended that the head of the Macedonian gendarmerie should be Italian general Di Giorgis, which was eventually accepted by Sublime Porte. The Powers each sent their officers to a specific sector ("sandjak") : Austria-Hungary : Uskub Russia : Salonique Italy : Monastir (and caza of Castoria) France : Serres England : Drama Germany : only sent one Delegate, employed in the Salonique Gendarmerie School. The Uniforms : Although the Tsar had originally requested that the Russian Officers wear Russian uniforms, the officers of the reformed Gendarmerie would eventually wear the Ottoman uniform of the corps, light blue with red facings and black braiding, as seen here. A note addressed by the Sublime Porte to the Ambassadors of Russia and Austria-Hungary on 17 March 1904 precised : "(...) With respect to the gendarmerie uniform, the model has already been adopted, in agreement with Degiorgis Pacha. (...) The contracts signed between the Officers and the Ottoman government specified : "ART. 5. M..... will wear the special uniform, that will be the one of the whole reformed gendarmerie and will be submitted to the orders of H.I.M. the Sultan, Supreme Commander of the whole Imperial Ottoman Army." Same contract mentionned in ART.2 that a sum of 1,500 Francs was allocated to each officer "pour frais de premier habillement, equipment, harnachement et achat du cheval". Uniforms being provided by the officers on this amount, one can imagine that they were privately tailored. That would explain the differences we can see here : number of rows of braiding vary from 7 to 9, and the shade of the cloth used seem to vary (Januszewsky's, bottom row second from left, being obviously much lighter in shade). However, one point would raise a specific debate : the headdress. The official headdress of the gendarmes was to be the Fez. This headdress however was very much considered "Ottoman/muslim" - and it was reported as being a sign that would generate distrust for the Macedonian population in the context. Out of this heated debate, the outcome was the following : - The officers delegated by England and Italy used the fez - The officers from Austria, Russia and France adopted insted the fur Kalpak, as worn in the Ottoman mounted troops. Of black fur, its top was of facing colour (red).

Bonjour Rigen, Look here for illustrtation of similar : http://www.hussards-photos.com/AutricheHongrie/Autriche_CDV_BulchAgoston.htm Salutations, Jerome

Bonsoir Joe, Very nice photos ! Photo# 2 is unmistakebly 1870-1871 : the presence of the EK2 at the buttonhole attests for that. All the more as the photo was taken in a French studio : "Valentin Rezé" was a photographer apparently long based at Reims (capital of Champagne). Congratulations for these nice shots. Salutations, Jérôme

Many thanks gents ! That does sound a likely reason for the name change indeed. I've shown this elsewhere, some time back, but after searching the various lists of officers leaving Austro-Hungarian Service, serving for the Mexican Empire, and joining again Imperial Service, I think I have (at last) identified this gentleman (here thought to be photographed in Puebla) : As a matter of fact, he did serve with the Ungarische Leibgarde on return to Europe : It took some time ! Cheers, Jérôme

Greetings, I am trying to find more about an officer successively know as Polàk Johann / Pókay Johann (or János in the Hungarian version). He was a Hauptmann 1. Classe in IR 65 when he joined the ranks of the Freiwilliger to embark for Mexico in 1864 (with the Rank of Major then). He served apparently in the Jäger, rising to the rank of Oberstlieutenant in July 1866. He came back to Europe in 1867, and was reintegrated as a Hauptmann in IR65 in April 1867. In 1869/1870 he joined the Königlich Ungarsiche Leibgarde. I understand that he later climbed the steps to gain the rank of Titular Felzeugmeister in 1896. Now the puzzling question to me is when and why he changed his name ? A portrait of that man would be fantastic indeed ! Thanks, Jérôme

Bonjour, In the same vein, here is something unusual I recently found : I must admit to have been MUCH puzzled by the uniform ! Especially seeing the photographer is from Frankfurt a/ Main. Luckily, the Cabinet Card, though not signed, bears a dedication : "m.l. Max Ortmann. Zu dankbarer Erinnerung "an die (schönen ?) Tage von Freiburg". der (....) von "23 Jahre Sturn und Sonnenschein in Süd Africa"" "Max Ortmann" was the publisher of the Freiburger Zeitung. As for the author of "23 Jahre ...", he was Adolf Schiel, former Commander the Duitse Kommando who fought along the Boers. This puzzling uniform (it seems evolved from the Boer "Staatsartillerie" uniform) was actually discussed at length by the South African Military History Society here : http://rapidttp.co.za/milhist/vol083jw.html The history of the German Commando is also interestingly laid out there : http://rapidttp.co.za/milhist/vol022ng.html It seems after being released from British custody on St.-Helena, Schiel toured Germany to plead for support of the Boers, and promoting his book. This is very likely his connection to Max Ortmann. I have not got round to reading "23 Jahre.." yet, but it seems this gentleman had some interesting life ! Salutations, Jérôme

Good evening, Adding to the file a CDV photo of Mitrea : He probably is only a Captain here ? Cheers, Jerome

Super - many thanks Naxos ! A little browsing (with that capital information) allowed me to find out that the 4th squadron of this Reichswehr regiment maintained the traditions of the Braunschweiger Husaren (HR17). Totenkopf apart, that could be the case here ? I also spotted an example of their cap (photo from a seller's website - you will recognize it though ) ! So I'm MUCH further in understanding that photo - thanks again ! Jérôme

Thanks for the decyphering ! Here's a close-up of the sword - sadly the photo is rather focussed on the front : Cheers, Jerome

Bonjour, I just picked up a photo of a (?) Freikorps Cavalry Officer in Hussar uniform. That's much later than what I'm used to, so I'd really appreciate comments / tentative identification, both of the unit and man. Photo was taken by sudio E.Meyer in Hannover : The picture is signed on the back, in or with reference to March 1922 - and of course in that mind-boggling script : Close-up on the cap : And on the awards : mysterious (to me) ribbon bar, Silesian Eagle, and a Cross : Cross looks MUCH like the "Freikorps von Loewenfeld Steckkreuz 1.Klasse" : I understand that while being much "naval", they had some cavalry along ? Comments and information welcome ! Cheers, Jerome