Chris Liontas

Not to beat a dead horse, but that medal is just flat out ugly. With the history of beautiful medals from the German States, I cant believe this is what they came up with.

WOW!!! A primary source like that is amazing. I would love to get a chance to read it--congratulations!!!

Too true. There are tons of different mixtures of disks out there. Some guys had regimental numbers, some wore just crossed rifles (cannons, etc), some had company designations, and others had two US disks without any specialty disk. It seems all very random what collar disks soldiers would wear per unit designation. Then you have the mixing and matching of the US disks. Some are in script, some are the plan jane US in a disk, some have the US with the unit designation (ie US with a 28th above it for the 28th division), and finally you had the doughboys that didnt change their state disks to US disks. I have several with WIS (Wisconsin) rather than US on them. It seems the collar disks were about as unregulated as it gets during the war. From what I have read -- the organization of the AEF after Wilson declared war about about as unorganized as it gets. Many men were sent to France without the proper equipment, and many had little to no training.

Oh I would not classify their relations with the Vatican was "warm" by any stretch. They Germans basically told Rome that they could be a free city, if they played by the rules. Dr. F. Menthausen let the Pope's people know, in no certain terms, that Germany could have troops in, and in control of the Vatican if the Pope did not play ball. There is a good example of this, when the Vatican was denouncing the persecution of Polish Catholics by Germany, Menthausen threatened the Pope and the Vatican with invasion. The Vatican backed down.

It looks like a membership badge to the German Christian party, a Protestant organization that supported the Nazi ideals all throughout the war. You will see several versions of their membership badges--one is a cross with a swastika somewhere on the badge (like you have)--the second type will be in green, with a large back cross with swastika in the central portion of the cross. This version really became their symbol. The GC movement was dedicated to Nazifying Christianity by taking the Jew out of Christ. In their ideas, they changed Jesus from being a Jewish Carpenter to a Aryan god. They attempted to spread Nazi ideology to the troops, rather than teach religion. There is a great example of this in the book, Priester im Heere Hitlers where Catholic Chaplain, Father Perau is stunned when his Protestant counterpart (a DC member) gives a sermon straight from the Nazi playbook and never once mentions the Bible. I believe the DC become so militant--even the regular hard core Nazi's didnt really know what to do with them. It is rarer than most III Reich Tinnies, but not quite as valuable as the political ones--I would say $50-75 USD

Thank you for posting this--that is an AMAZING tunic! Come on guys--I know there is more out there!!

New wall to the collection--still working on the room, hence the mess . US WWI 32nd Division collection (with one 3rd ID tunic). Most of the tunics are named to the individuals that wore them. The posters and photos in the background come from individuals from the 107th Supply Train and 107th Sanitary Train, 32nd Division.

poster #2

These two posters I got some time ago with a bundle of WWII Items from Hungary. The lot included several photos from a Infantry unit, a prayer book, and these posters. I dont think the group was all together originally, but I still like it. Greg I will try to get better shots, but these at least let you read the larger print.

Hi Gordon! I was about to comment on that individual. I had no idea this style of tunic was even available for German troops at this point. I was under the impression that it didn't come around until the late mid to late thirties, and then mostly for SS, SD, and SA troops rather than army. Any idea what this would have been? A private purchase type?

what a pair of real 1st types look like

I never did like the tabs on this tunic. Something about them just seemed off to me. I've a copy of Prof Klietman's Kriegsmarine uniform guide for Chaplains, and his definitely looked different than these. I was also lucky enough to get a pair of Probe tagged 1st type boards, and the embroidery was crisper on the laurel leaves (if this is the tunic I am thinking of)

VERY nice, thank you for posting this. The details of the uniform, especially the cuffs are outstanding. I agree, the 3rd grade is great to see :)

Hi Joel! Dragoons is awesome in itself. Thank you for posting this! I am just now researching the uniforms of the dragoons -- awesome post thank you! :)

Amazing post! It is interesting to see these things in action. I have an American tunic to a Trench Mortar gunner who fought in the Argonne, unfortunately info on the American units is scarce at best. Thanks for posting these!

Nah Chris you made the good switch I think. If you still did the III Reich, you would just have headache after headache. The dealer gods -- save from one in Mass -- have all gotten too big for their britches. Besides -- what you had was amazing. You cant do better than those tunics. If fact, I know one is still a prize in a dealers collection. That 12th SS named tunic is beyond words. Talk about one of a kind! I still think your Imperial stuff is cooler.

Dave could we get a close up shot of the Tschapka's motorboard? I have on in metal, and one in leather (dunno why I said wood--was I thinking Austrian pre 1870?) Really interested in the differences between the manufacturing styles.

Officer's Helm, carrying case, and field cover

Chevauleger Named EM helmet straight out of an attic in Munich -- my only ever attic type find (now if I said it was found in Normandy in a barn--I would expect you all to shoot me )

Named Helm to Hannoverian Rittermiester

Ok this is a terrible photo-- and I know I am mixing eras...but the manequin has a built in headrest for the Tschapka. The helm is complete with oringal horsehair plume and cord (now if I could only find the rabatte)

My quick display Better photos coming soon

Amazing!! And with the Rabatte too! I tried to get one of those loose at a German dealer to complete my Tschapka, but alas I was too late. Talk about a rare item to have with your helmet!

WOW!! That is absolutely gorgeous!!! Now judgeing from the medals, was this an observer in a Flying Corps Squadron? Dave now the Tschapka, what kind of date would you put that in? Does it have the wooden motor-board rather than a metal one?

The Uhlans had one of the nicest uniforms in the per/post Dunkleblau era. Anyone have any tunics to share?