WW1 Era W?rttemberg Pioner with Bavarian M.V.K. ribbon!

[Kev in Deva]

Hallo Gents,

because I bought a couple of pieces from a chap he gave me this postcard as a gift!!! I can make out what looks like on the original card with magnifying glass the word TREUE ? on the belt buckle above a crown.

The ribbon looks also to have the thin black stripes and blue bands of the Bavarian M.V.K. but I am not sure if he would have been entitled to the Cross with solid Gold medalions or not, probably the more normal III Class type in bronze / Copper.

The rear of the card with inscription in pencil:

Kevin in Deva.

Edited September 29, 2007 by Kev in Deva

[Naxos]

Kevin, his name is Josef St?rk and he from W?rttemberg.

[Kev in Deva]

Kevin, his name is Josef St?rk and he from W?rttemberg.

Hallo Naxos

Thanks for that info, (but I am 100% sure the ribbon is Bavarian ) and not the W?rttemberg Military Service medal in Yellow with two black stripes.

What was the motto on W?rttemberg belt buckles circa WW1?? Similar to Bayern??

Kevin in Deva

[Naxos]

I believe he belonged to the Pionier Kompanie 13

can't quite make it out (could you scan the writing on the side better)

Hardy

[Naxos]

Hallo Naxos

What was the motto on W?rttemberg belt buckles circa WW1?? Similar to Bayern??

Kevin in Deva

"Furchtlos und trew"

[Kev in Deva]

I am using my digital camera I will try for a better picture.

But is it reasonable to think a W?rttemberger could get a Bavarian MVK III Class in WW1??

Kevin in Deva

Edited September 29, 2007 by Kev in Deva

[Naxos]

I am using my digital camera I will try for a better picture.

But is it reasonable to think a W?rttemberger could get a Bavarian MVK III Class in WW1??

Kevin in Deva

Yes

[Kev in Deva]

Head and shoulders shot more ribbon detail showing.

Kevin in Deva

[Naxos]

Kevin, this is what I found out: A work detail of the W?rttemberg Pionier Bataillon 13 removed the bell of the Church steeple in Saulgau during WWI (sometime between Oct 1916 and April 1918)

on the back of your card it mentions the Hofskirch in Saulgau W?rttemberg

Arbeitskommandos

u. a.: Glockenausbau in Alpirsbach, Fachsenfeld, Hochdorf, Hofen, Moosheim, Pommertsweiler, Saulgau, Schomburg, Trochtelfingen, Waldsee und Wasseralfingen

Okt. 1916 - 8. Apr. 1918

Hardy

Edited September 29, 2007 by Naxos

[Schießplatzmeister]

Hello Kevin:

The ribbon is a Bavarian MVK ribbon without a doubt! That is an interesting story regarding the work that his unit performed. Usually, I see some Bavarians that received W?rttemberg Bravery Medals, but this is a first.

A great photograph! Thank you for sharing it with us.

Best regards,

"SPM"

[Kev in Deva]

Gentlemen,

many thanks for your time and information

Seems sometime theres real treasure in them thar Floh-markts

Kevin in Deva.

[Naxos]

Could it be a Bavarian assigned to a W?rtt. Pi. Batl.?

Hardy

[Kev in Deva]

If the natural light is right tomorrow I will attempt to get a better picture of the belt buckle, which might help identify the

pioneer / soldier for sure, as it is there is to much glare on the picture from my desk light.

Kevin in Deva.

[Naxos]

I am using my digital camera I will try for a better picture.

But is it reasonable to think a W?rttemberger could get a Bavarian MVK III Class in WW1??

Kevin in Deva

I think it says: "Profisor. b. kl. Pionier Komp. 1"

Josef might have spelled the the abbreviation for "provisorisch" wrong (f instead of v)

..which would mean that he was provisorisch = provisional

"serving for the time with the W?rttemberg Pionier Kompanie"

Hardy

[Chip]

Guys,

If there is a crown on the buckle, it is not from W?rttemberg. The W?rttemberg buckle has the Landeswappen in the center, not a crown.

Chip

[Naxos]

Guys,

If there is a crown on the buckle, it is not from W?rttemberg. The W?rttemberg buckle has the Landeswappen in the center, not a crown.

Chip

which would mean that he was provisorisch = provisional

"serving at the time with a W?rttemberg Pionier Kompanie"

Hardy

[Tom Y]

Hallo Naxos

Thanks for that info, (but I am 100% sure the ribbon is Bavarian ) and not the W?rttemberg Military Service medal in Yellow with two black stripes.

What was the motto on W?rttemberg belt buckles circa WW1?? Similar to Bayern??

Kevin in Deva

Fruchtlos und Trew

[Kev in Deva]

Hallo Gents,

this is the best I can get the picture with my camera:

Kevin in Deva.

[Naxos]

Josef St?rk, a Bavarian temporarily assined to a W?rttemberg Pionier Kompanie while they were removing the bell from the Church steeple in Saulgau.

Hardy

[Chip]

So, I assume they were taking these bells for the metals to be used in the war effort?

Chip

[Chip]

A bavarian buckle, so the collar on his Bluse is feldgrau, the same as the rest of the tunic. A W?rttemberger would have a collar like the Prussians, that is, Resedagr?n (Abzeichentuchgr?n).

Chip

[Naxos]

So, I assume they were taking these bells for the metals to be used in the war effort?

Chip

Yes Chip, in my home town the bell from the 17th century that survived the War of the Spanish Succession was melted down in 1917.

Hardy

[Chip]

Schade.

Chip