Prussian Officer (?) with a killer moustache

[Brian Wolfe]

Hello Everyone,

I have just picked up this cabinet photo of a soldier I believe to be Prussian wearing the 1897 Prussian Wilhelm I Centenary Medal. Can anyone identify his rank or unit? I would think the moustache would have been a lethal weapon on a frosty day! Ow! My eye!

The Centenary Medal is mounted on the trapazoidal mount and I would like to add one of these bar to the medal I have in the collection and display the photo and medal together. Would anyone know where I might obtain the mount? I have some good quality medal ribbon of the correct type so just the metal mount would be great. I know of no suppliers here in Canada.

Thanks again in advance for any help with the identification and information, it is greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Brian

[Guest Rick Research]

Some sort of NCO, but too small for me to see anything. Acorn or artillery shell on the marksmanship cord will be a clue.

[Chip]

2.Posensches Feldartillery Regt.Nr.56 garrisoned at Lissa, V.A.K.

Chip

[Brian Wolfe]

Here is a close up of the soldier. The buttons are polished but with no decoration. What looks like a decoration is in fact a reflection of the inside of the studio where the photo was taken. Under greater magnification you can almost make out the architectural features behind the photographer. Man I would like to have one of those computers you see in police detective movies for a super close up! The device on the end of the lanyard looks like an artillery shell with two bands around it.

Another thing that drew me to this photo was the photographer's name "Wolffe". The legend in our family is that our name was once spelled with a double "F" and for whatever reason one "F" was dropped over time to become "Wolfe". From the address of Posen, I would take it to be in Prussia, well, until the end of 1918 when it became part of Poland. My family is said to have originated in Prussia.

Thanks again for your help.

Cheers

Brian

[Brian Wolfe]

Thanks Rick and Chip, you guys are so fast I didn't even have the close up posted.

It takes me quite a while to post more than one photo, it's not the equipment, it's the user.

Chip, what is V.A.K.?

Thanks

Brian

[Guest Rick Research]

Vth Army Corps.

No long service brooch down on his left side, so I'd say he's an Unteroffizier. No buttons at Frankenstein position on his collar?

[Trajan]

The 'lanyard' is a Schützenabzeichnung, indicating he is a sharpshooter. I think the one acorn on the end indicates 1st level.

[Chip]

Since he is an artillerist, the grenade is used in the place of an acorn.

[IrishGunner]

Brian, did you ever get the medal mount for displaying the photo and Zentenarmedaille together?

[The Prussian]

Here is another nice moustache...(Ulanan-Rgt.5)

Edited August 11, 2015 by The Prussian

[Brian Wolfe]

Hi Rick,

I never got around to mounting the medal, a shame but I just haven't had the time.  Believe it or not some areas of the collection haven't been visited for a couple of years.

 

Hi Andy,

Great photo and even greater moustache.

Regards

Brian