Austria-Hungary KuK cap badge

[Ulsterman]

Here's a badge I just got. I got a whole collection of them. These badges were worn as quasi-official cap insignia by Austro-Hungarian troops.

Can anyone tell me anything about this one?

[Christian L]

whats written on it - KUK Sturmsch?tzen? (can not read it clearly)

than it would be Stormshooters.

but the badge looks more like a trench fighter.

christian

[Ulsterman]

It says:

"K.K.

Standschutzen"

Lots of patina

[Glenn J]

Hi,

the k.k. Standschutzen were militia from the provinces of Tyrol and Vorarlberg based on the old town and village shooting associations. Ranging in age from the early teens to late seventies these "Last levy" units were mobilised in May 1915 when Italy declared war. While the rest of the Austro-Hungarian Army was taking huge casualties in the east these old boys had to fill the gap on the border with Italy.

Initially formed into local battalions they were in many cases amalgamated into mixed battalions by the wars end. They saw much action in the South Tyrol in three years of hard campaigning in extremely difficult terrain.

Regards

Glenn

[Ronny]

whats written on it - KUK Sturmsch?tzen? (can not read it clearly)

than it would be Stormshooters.

but the badge looks more like a trench fighter.

christian

←

If this was a Swedish badge, it had to be the most obscene badge

Ever made.

K*K in Swedish is the same as D**K

Cheers

Ronny