TK Quiz

[Robin Lumsden]

Anyone know what this is?

[Robin Lumsden]

Here's the back.......

[Chris Boonzaier]

A good copy of the Flamethrower skull? (Tankers? Sturmtruppen?)

[Chip]

Robin,

I do not know specifically what this patch is, but I can offer the following thoughts. During the First World War the Germans did wear sleeve patches, but the only examples that would have had a ring around the insignia were related to the navy. Naval ground troops did wear Feldgrau sleeve patches in this style, but they were just gray versions of their normal rate insignia. So I think you can dismiss the wartime period. The early Weimar army also wore sleeve patches with rings and they were used to identify units, as there were no shoulder boards (just a shoulder cord) during this period. There exists a chart of these patches, which I don't have a copy of, but I do have a few examples of the sleeve patches. They have chainstitched unit numbers with colored outer rings, which denote the branch of the service. Your patch may be from this period, and perhaps the gray ring denotes Kraftfahrtruppen. So my guess would be armoured car personnel from that period.

Perhaps you already know what this patch is and are asking the question rhetorically, but that is my best guess.

Chip

[Robin Lumsden]

Chip.

Not armour, but you are close.

I've only ever seen this badge photographed once........ in a German book published in 1938.........

Edited January 6, 2007 by Robin Lumsden

[Robin Lumsden]

It also appeared in a 1970s book as a drawing.....something like this.......

[Chip]

Robin,

So does this mean I have guessed the correct time period? It appears that your pictured patch is the same one as pictured in black and white. Notice the same irregular edge to the outline.

Chip

Edited January 6, 2007 by Chip

[Deruelle]

Hi,

Badge from Freikorps unit : Ostpreussisches J?gerkorps Gerth.

Regards

Christophe

[Chip]

Very good Christophe! I had not even considered the Freikorps.

Chip

[Robin Lumsden]

Hi,

Badge from Freikorps unit : Ostpreussisches J?gerkorps Gerth.

Regards

Christophe

Korrekt

Here it is in the 1938 book.........

[Chip]

Robin,

Does the book tell who wrote the article?

Chip

[Robin Lumsden]

The book was an anthology of FK vets' stories edited by Ernst von Salomon, a former Freikorps fighter.

Edited January 8, 2007 by Robin Lumsden

[Chip]

Robin,

I'm sorry. I this particular picture attributed to anyone?

Thanks,

Chip

[Robin Lumsden]

Robin,

I'm sorry. I this particular picture attributed to anyone?

Thanks,

Chip

Chip.

The picture in the book is attributed to a Freikorps vets' group from the 1930s (Reiter gen Osten).

Edited January 8, 2007 by Robin Lumsden

[Robin Lumsden]

A good copy of the Flamethrower skull?

Here is a copy flamethrower skull.........

[Robin Lumsden]

...and a real one.....

[Robin Lumsden]

Tankers?

Here is a tanker skull from 1919........

[Chip]

Robin,

I have a friend who has a real enlisted Totenkopfpionier sleeve patch and that copy is not even close. Just an FYI.

Chip

[Deruelle]

Hi,

This article has been written by Major von Weiss. The name of the article is "die Entstehung des Ostpreussischen Freiwilligenkorps", pp. 73- 77.

Regards

Christophe

Robin,

Does the book tell who wrote the article?

Chip

[Robin Lumsden]

Robin,

I have a friend who has a real enlisted Totenkopfpionier sleeve patch and that copy is not even close. Just an FYI.

Chip

Yes, I know. The copy I posted is currently for sale on eBay.de. I will not be bidding!

[Robin Lumsden]

Robin,

I have a friend who has a real enlisted Totenkopfpionier sleeve patch and that copy is not even close. Just an FYI.

Chip

There is also an original on a tunic in the military museum at Rastatt........beautifully embroidered in fine silver wire.

[Chip]

Robin,

Yes, I saw that officer's version on a visit to Rastatt in 1981. Quite an impressive tunic and outfit and also adorned on the collar with Freikorps insignia.

Chip