Eiserne Wehr's portrait corner.

[Eiserne Wehr]

Shown here are three Bavarians, two brothers and a friend with the surname Schwarzfischer. I believe the Unteroffizier on the left and the sailor of S.M.S. Koenig Wilhelm are the two brothers. The soldier on the right is of Königlich Bayerisches 2. Infanterie-Regiment 'Kronprinz'. There's a Michael Schwarzfischer from Landshut that is reported on the 23. october 1918 as missing in the Verlustlisten. Kgl. Bayer. 2. Infanterie-Regiment has their Garnison in München which is about 75 km. from Landshut. This photograph was taken by Hofphotograph Urban Zattler in Landshut(Niederbayern), Zweibrückenstraße 684. Hofphotograph means in the case of Bavaria that Zattler was granted by the King to use the Bavarian royal coat of arms and also provide the royals with his service. Sadly this photograph is not on a CDV with the logos but only has a simple print on the back.

[Eiserne Wehr]

On 21/01/2025 at 22:11, Eiserne Wehr said:

This very young looking lad is of 10. Württembergisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 180. This photograph is most likely made after 27. October 1916 because the numbers are removed from his Pickelhaube cover. On his back a Tornister with a blanket and Zeltbahn strapped to it. On his left side, next to his Grabendolch, sits a holster with his Luger 08 pistol on his belt. On his right side hanging from loops is a small flat pouch made from wool. At first i thought that it must be a pouch for a wire cutter but the size, construction and material seems too fine for such a tool. I am unable to identify this pouch, if you happen to have information about it, please share it here. In his right hand are his gloves, he is wearing corduroy trousers. The photographer or his assistant made the floor of the studio look as if it has snowed. The back is unwritten but there's print on it: Gebr.(Gebrüder) Schmid. Truppenübungsplatz bei Münsingen(Baden-Württemberg). The brothers Schmid strategically set their studio up on the main street that leads to the military training grounds of Münsingen. In the area south from the training grounds were many establishments to be found to cater the soldiers. Apart from the photography studio, a bakery, restaurants, a large scale butchery, a chemical dry-cleaner, even a lemonade factory to name a few. On 3. August 1895 King Wilhelm II. of Württemberg signed a mandate to evict those who lived in the area that was assigned for the location of the military grounds. From 24. October 1895 the training grounds were being used for training in marksmanship, two years later there were sleeping quarters created for the soldiers to stay on the training grounds. After the turn of the century two large observation towers were erected. Each year around 40.000 soldiers from the region finished their military training here. During the first World war there was also a prisoner camp for about 4.000 French, Russian, Italian and Serbian prisoners of war.

 

I discovered that i have another photograph of a soldier made by the brothers Schmid at Truppenübungsplatz Münsingen. This soldier also wears a Pickelhabue with a cover over it, has a Tornister on his back, a Grabendolch and Luger 08 holster on his belt. The pouch on his right is that of a wire cutters and from one of his tunic buttons hangs a Taschenlampe. He is wearing corduroy trousers with puttees covering his lower legs and part of his shoes. Sticking out from his left side is the wooden handle of his entrenching tool and the tip of his bayonet scabbard. He wears a ring on his right pinky. Comparing the attributes featured in both photographs makes me think there are definitely props at play here. The cover of both Pickelhauben is identical with it's markings and the way it sits on the Pickelhaube. The scabbard of the trench knife has the same scuff marks. I am still not convinced the first soldier has a wire cutter pouch on his belt but when i look at the other photograph and the fact same items are being used to dress up a soldier it probably is.

 

[Eiserne Wehr]

Photographed here is a Bavarian Leutnant of Königlich Bayerisches 15. Infanterie-Regiment 'König Friedrich August von Sachsen', he is a recepiant of both the Eisernes Kreuz I. and II. Klasse. The details of his Iron Cross, tunic buttons and Feldbinde-buckle are captured in this photograph. On his belt sits a trench knife with Bavarian Portepee.

[Jock Auld]

On 02/02/2025 at 17:50, Eiserne Wehr said:

 

I discovered that i have another photograph of a soldier made by the brothers Schmid at Truppenübungsplatz Münsingen. This soldier also wears a Pickelhabue with a cover over it, has a Tornister on his back, a Grabendolch and Luger 08 holster on his belt. The pouch on his right is that of a wire cutters and from one of his tunic buttons hangs a Taschenlampe. He is wearing corduroy trousers with puttees covering his lower legs and part of his shoes. Sticking out from his left side is the wooden handle of his entrenching tool and the tip of his bayonet scabbard. He wears a ring on his right pinky. Comparing the attributes featured in both photographs makes me think there are definitely props at play here. The cover of both Pickelhauben is identical with it's markings and the way it sits on the Pickelhaube. The scabbard of the trench knife has the same scuff marks. I am still not convinced the first soldier has a wire cutter pouch on his belt but when i look at the other photograph and the fact same items are being used to dress up a soldier it probably is.

 

Makes obvious sense! if the young men were wondering around on some free time, they may not have their full kit with them. I am sure the photographer was able to offer various options for potential customers, Retail is a cut throat business, so the dagge may have been useful. Even the reflection from the buckle crown look very similar, I would say these are one and the same set of belt order props? Good detective work!

Rich