Freikorps Insignia

[Robin Lumsden]

As an aside.

The originals of this badge were in black painted brass.

Just like a WW1 Wound Badge in Black.

Simply executed.

Great find, Don.

Welcome to the club.

By my reckoning, the MWH badge is rarer even than a WW1 FW TK !!

3 x MWH badges known worldwide.

4 x FW TKs known worldwide.

But ............... only 2 x black TKs known worldwide!

Edited December 9, 2012 by Robin Lumsden

[Robin Lumsden]

So ...................... three out of nine ain't bad.

Took almost 40 years of searching ..............................

but .................... difficult combo to beat.

Edited December 9, 2012 by Robin Lumsden

[dond]

You need to add your Kampfwagonabzeichen to the set......

[Robin Lumsden]

Ja!

Edited December 10, 2012 by Robin Lumsden

[Robin Lumsden]

Compared to Sepp's .............

[Robin Lumsden]

.............. and a nice copy badge with a tank .....................

[Chris Boonzaier]

So ...................... three out of nine ain't bad.

Took almost 40 years of searching ..............................

but .................... difficult combo to beat.

Are you saying you waited 40 years for a black skull that did not exist in the collecting world until 3 years ago... :-) ??

You should play the stock market with ESP like that !!

[Robin Lumsden]

Are you saying you waited 40 years for a black skull that did not exist in the collecting world until 3 years ago... :-) ??

You should play the stock market with ESP like that !!

Merry Christmas, Chris!

[Robin Lumsden]

A photo that did not exist in the collecting world until 3 years ago.

So I guess it's a dud.

[Chris Boonzaier]

aaaa... but it existed outside the collecting world, thats just as good ;-)

[Robin Lumsden]

aaaa... but it existed outside the collecting world, thats just as good ;-)

Korrekt!

Even in such illustrious company, 'Blackie' gets pride of place.

Have a great New Year!

[Chris Boonzaier]

I see 29 other skulls turning in their grave :-)

[Christian J]

This was recently offered on ebay. Claims to be an Kragenabzeichen for Freiwilligen Bataillon Schade. They were made up from FR34 with the same regimental symbol. So I guess it makes sense. I looked in Woolley's book on the Freikorps but couldn't find any information regarding them. Do some of you lads seen this before in a book or maybe as a live Kragenabzeichen?

[Chris Boonzaier]

Hi Christian,

I am not sure what it is, but notice a very Swedish influence to it with the crowns...

[Robin Lumsden]

Ribbon looks like it is from the Turkish War Medal/Gallipoli Star.

[Christian J]

Queen Viktoria of Sweden were the Chef of FR34 and they used a variation of her chiffre as the regimental "number". So the connection with Sweden is certainly there. But a thicker version was used by the regiment on the shoulderboards.

Yes, the seller stated that the ribbon did not belong to it orignally.

[Chris Boonzaier]

I thought there was a swedish connection to regt, i think i have hindenburg doc issued in sweden to member of division that regt was in

[Chris Boonzaier]

I thought there was a swedish connection to regt, i think i have hindenburg doc issued in sweden to member of division that regt was in

[Christian J]

Interesting Chris. I would very much like to see it if you have the time to post it some day? I believe you asked some questions regarding the positioning of the regiment in 1917 some time ago. Was it connected to this document?

[Chris Boonzaier]

Hi, no. That was related to an Iron Cross documrent, i think the german consulate in swrden is an artilery unit of the dividion

[bolewts58]

This badge was actually worn as a sleeve badge by Freiwilligen-Bataillon Schade (Haarcke 775.1).

The badge on eBay looks correct. But, according to the seller was 4 x 2.5 cm which is smaller than others I've seen which are 5 cm. But, it could be a variation.

Here is a pic of a pair of shoulder board devices for the 34th that sold on eBay about the same time as a comparison. Given the high price, I suspect that someone thought these were also worn by the Freikorps.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/261140939295?nma=true&si=Zt4e2rFYYkiXfeWn24Jp4wq4VCE%3D&rt=nc&_trksid=p4340.l2557&orig_cvip=true

[Chris Boonzaier]

Ouch... that was pretty high!!

[bolewts58]

Ouch... that was pretty high!!

This is why I personally tend to stay away from Freikorps badges that are 'leftovers' from the Imperial period, unless there's a very reasonable amount of proof that they were actually used in the Freikorps.

A major portion of the historical records of the Freikorps were destroyed in a bombing raid in 1945. Therefore, there are large gaps in the information, which leads to all kinds of fantasies appearing on the market. Although, other records have come to light and keep being discovered, the wide-open nature of the Freikorps period requires a lot of research, cross-referencing and cooperation among knowledgeable collectors and the few dealers who are actually honest.

Verkuilen Ager, one of the few true Freikorps experts told me way back in 1977 that fakes were already being made of certain Freikorps pieces, and other items that weren't Freikorps at all were being passed off as Freikorps. Those pieces are now almost 40 years old and many have passed into the realm of the authentic. Unlike with 3rd Reich and Imperial German material, wherein there is no shortage of true experts and excellent books to consult, the Freikorps period is lacking in expertise. I bought my first Freikorps piece in 1969. But, I wouldn't presume to call myself an expert, as I still make mistakes and am always learning something new.

It's a fascinating period, still open to in-depth research and new discoveries. But, by its very nature, it is somewhat frightening for the collector.

[Chris Boonzaier]

I bought my first Freikorps piece in 1969. But, I wouldn't presume to call myself an expert, as I still make mistakes and am always learning something new.

1969! You are one old the old guys! For some reason i thought I was no longer the youngest on the forum....

1969, I was just out of Dadsbag on the way to making my debut on the world stage!

You have been doing Freikoprs for a long time!!

[bolewts58]

I bought my first Freikorps piece in 1969. But, I wouldn't presume to call myself an expert, as I still make mistakes and am always learning something new.

1969! You are one old the old guys! For some reason i thought I was no longer the youngest on the forum....

1969, I was just out of Dadsbag on the way to making my debut on the world stage!

You have been doing Freikoprs for a long time!!

I'm 60 year old Chris. This is my 2nd go 'round collecting. I collected from around 1958, when my Dad gave me a couple of German Breast Eagles he brought back from the war, until 1995, when I sold off the last of my Imperial German collection and all my first Freikorps collection. During that period, I also collected British and Canadian cap badges (in the 1960s), Waterloo medals and the MGSM (in the 1970s), bits and pieces of 3rd Reich stuff (up until the early 70s). In 1969 I bought an RAO 4th class for $15 and got hooked on Imperial German orders and decorations. At the same time, I bought a Silesian Eagle 2nd class for $8 and a Baltic Cross for $5 and that got me started on Freikorps. As I got more into that stuff, I dumped the 3rd Reich stuff and the Waterloos and MGSMs.

I only started collecting again a couple of years ago by chance, when I found a copy of von Salomon's Freikorps book at a book fair, which peaked my interest again.