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I have an interest in the equipment of the 8th Mountain Division, Panzerjäger Battalion 157. Where should I search?

Just finished up another project rifle, got this Tulle 1891 dated Lebel receiver and barrel, minus the trigger assembly, front sight blade and rear sight ladder. It is not the best condition, but still shoots. I had just about all the parts needed to complete it when I started the project, had to order a few small parts. Parts I ordered were to front and rear band springs, tube magazine spring and stop. The barrel is shortened by about 6 inches, oddly they put the front sight back on but not the bayonet attachment guide under the barrel. It was very filthy and needed a lot of cleaning. The fore stock is a new replacement, and the butt stock is original.

Somewhat recent imported Mas 36 rifles by Navy arms showing their U.S. import mark on a Navy Arms Import MAS 36-51.

Many Thanks to Kenny for sorting out my account, seemingly it was hacked, and I was unable to recover it...but, all sorted now, Thanks Kenny. Today, I start the journey to Normandy for one of my lifes bucket list events.....two weeks in Normandy visiting all the places my uncle writes about in his WW2 logbooks, he was a Mosquito pilot with 605 sqn, and was over the Caen landing area "softening up" targets at 0010hrs on 6th June 44. Through some involved research, by guys much more informed than me, it is realised he was attacking the Merville battery.

best to use a magnifying glass

perhaps Fritz would know?

Outstanding post.

Yes, it was shortened, but not officially like the M35 Carbine, this was done by the Ethiopians at some point and rather expediently.

Looks like a carbine conversion for cavalry, etc.

Einheitskoppel as worn by Austrian troops but also favoured by German officers, etc., as seen in many photos. 1915 dated

You’ve gotta love boxed brocade belts and buckles. I have a couple of third reich examples but they are harder to find now at affordable prices.

Preußen, Offiziers Feldbinde Example for white metal fittings, some loss of finish, the keeper is an aluminium replacement, one Schieber is missing. With a white cloth backing to match a particular uniform. Preußische Offiziers Feldbinde, standard type, for gilt fittings, dark blue uniform cloth, complete Original carton for Offiziers Feldbinde, Lieferant: Martin Ucko, Königsberg i./Pr.

Thank you for your message phoenixgreen. I have to say from the outset that I have made a longstanding promise to a fellow collector in that when the time comes to sell William Stuart's medals he will have "first refusal". Saying that, his interests may have changed over the years and he may no longer be interested. I have taken a note of your email address for any future correspondence. In the meantime it would be prudent for both of us to keep any and all correspondence confined to this forums 'private message' function (hover your cursor over the avatar of whoever you want to message and the function appears). A request I would make would be for you to send proof of your relationship with William Stuart by way of private message, a clear photograph of a current utility bill with your name and current address and a clear photograph of your driving license or passport photo page. This may sound somewhat distrusting on my part but in these days of the internet it's prudent to check that people are indeed who they say they are before entering into any correspondence. Best Wishes.

Thank you Fritz and Kenny!

My Great Grandad Piper Stuart

Afternoon! I found it, the numbers “25”? Thanks!

This is a WW1 era Italian Lenticolare Model 1914-disc hand grenade. This was designed in 1913 and introduced in 1915. These had a simple 8 second wick fuse with an explosive filing of Nitranite, or Cheddite. Typically, the wick would be held in place by a keeper, which is not present on my example. Like other nations, the Italians also developed launchers and catapults to maximize the grenades potential.

Here is an image of a catapult type launcher I found on the internet. You can see the disc grenade on the right-hand side.

odd looking cross, knowing the maker mark would help

Good photos, it looks original, not unusual for the black finish to be worn down on the high points. Use a magnifying glass to read the number, try and make a photo of the number on the ring, it can be done. Do you have the ribbon?

Iron, magnetic and original

Hello All, I’m really enjoying learning from this forum! I’ve attached two photos of a World War Two iron cross second class I bought in Estonia last year. It does have a mark on the ribbon attachment but it’s difficult to photograph. That seems such a random place to put a makers mark! Is there any reason why they chose it? I do wonder why the paint on the swastika has been worn down? Is this commonly seen? kind regards, Dave

Hello all! I enjoy collecting militaria and I have just spent a week in Normandy. I found this black wound badge in a small militaria shop where it all seemed legitimate as he had a crazy amount of items and didn’t have the usual tacky fakes mixed in amongst them. i believe it to be the genuine article and would appreciate your experience and hopefully confirmation! kind regards, Dave

@jethro @Gildwiller1918 I found a few photos when I drew up the model of that shell. This is one of the best because it’s a modern photo of a relic projectile that was for sale a few years ago in the UK. I’ll post the others if I dig them up.

Yes, definitely Zink. Very pleased about this.

Most definitely gilt washed zinc

Looks like a good Zinc one and much more gilt finish than in the first photos, just shows how deceptive photos can be, in this case it actually looks better

I have a helmet with a triangular stamp between the numbers 6 and 41 which I presume represents June 1941. the stamp has a propeller like image with three blades (or feathers maybe) and the letters on the gaps look like P at the top, S on the left and another letter or number on the right, it’s quite faint and difficult to decipher. i can’t see how to attach an image, any guidance gratefully received, Ken

From my friends dad who served in post WWII ocupation Germany in 1945-1946. I was given this odd ball badge. I also got his U.S. wire cutters and a book on the French People ( Pocket Guide to France) by the U.S. Army. This badge might be of interest to the members. SOURCE OF INFORMATION> Deutsches Frauenwerk - Wikipedia Deutsches Frauenwerk QUOTE: The Deutsches Frauenwerk was a Nazi Association for women, which was created in October 1933. Source of Quote: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_Nazi_Germany Membership badge of the Deutsches Frauenwerk, a Nazi association for women founded in October 1933 Women in Nazi Germany were subject to doctrines of Nazism by the Nazi Party (NSDAP), which promoted exclusion of women from the political and academic life of Germany as well as its executive body and executive committees.[1][2] On the other hand, whether through sheer numbers, lack of local organization, or both,[2] many German women did indeed become Nazi Party members. In spite of this, the Nazi regime officially encouraged and pressured women to fill the roles of mother and wife only. Women were excluded from all other positions of responsibility, including political and academic spheres. The policies contrasted starkly with the evolution of women's rights and gender equality under the Weimar Republic, and is equally distinguishable from the mostly male-dominated and conservative attitude under the German Empire. The regimentation of women at the heart of satellite organizations of the Nazi Party, as the Bund Deutscher Mädel or the NS-Frauenschaft, had the ultimate goal of encouraging the cohesion of the "people's community" (Volksgemeinschaft). The ideal woman in Nazi Germany did not have a career outside her home. Instead, she was a good wife (however her husband defined that), a careful and conscientious mother (taking special care to raise her children in accordance with Nazi philosophies and ideals), and skilled at doing all domestic chores such as cleaning and cooking. Women had a limited right to training of any kind; such training usually revolved around domestic tasks. Over time, Nazi-era German women were restricted from teaching in universities, working as medical professionals, and serving in political positions within the NSDAP.[3] With the exception of Reichsführerin Gertrud Scholtz-Klink, women were not permitted to carry out official functions. However, there were some notable exceptions, either through their proximity to Adolf Hitler, such as Magda Goebbels, or by excelling in particular fields, such as filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl or aviator Hanna Reitsch. Many restrictions on women were lifted once wartime necessity required policy changes later in the regime. The historiography of "ordinary" German women in Nazi Germany has changed significantly over time; studies done just after World War II tended to see them as additional victims of Nazi oppression. However, during the late 20th century, historians began to argue that German women were able to influence the course of the regime and even the war. In addition, these studies found women's experiences during the Nazi regime varied by class, age and religion.[4] While many women played an influential role at the heart of the Nazi system or filled official posts at the heart of the Nazi concentration camps,[5] a few were engaged in the German resistance and paid with their lives, such as Libertas Schulze-Boysen and Sophie Scholl. Under the Weimar Republic, the status of women was one of the most progressive in Europe. The Weimar Constitution of January 19, 1919 proclaimed their right to vote (articles 17 and 22), equality of the sexes in civic matters (art. 109), non-discrimination against female bureaucrats. (art. 128), maternity rights (art. 19) and spousal equality within marriage (art. 119).[6] Clara Zetkin, a prominent leader of the German feminist movement, was a Member of Parliament in the Reichstag from 1920 to 1933 and even presided over the assembly in the role of Dean. But Weimar did not represent a huge leap forward for women's liberation. Women remained under-represented in the parliament; motherhood continued to be promoted as women's most important social function; abortion was still prosecutable (§ 218 of the Criminal Code); and female workers did not achieve substantial economic progress such as equal salaries.[7] With the emergence of consumerism, businesses and government had an increasing need for labour; although work became a route to emancipation for women, they were often restricted to clerical work as secretaries or sales staff, where they were generally paid 10 to 20% less than male employees,[8] under various pretexts, such as the claim that their understanding of domestic tasks freed them from certain household expenses. German woman secretary, in 1938 While most of the other parties under the Weimar Republic ran female candidates during elections (and some were elected), the Nazi party did not. In 1933, Joseph Goebbels justified this position by explaining that "it is necessary to leave to men that which belongs to men ".[9] Germany went from having 37 female Members of Parliament out of 577, to none, after the election of November 1933.[9] Beginning of the Nazi regime[edit] Adolf Hitler's attaining power as Chancellor marked the end of numerous women's rights, even though Hitler had succeeded in his social rise in part thanks to the protection of influential women and female voters.[10][11][12] Hitler's socializing within affluent circles, and with socialites such as Princess Elsa Bruckmann, wife of the editor Hugo Bruckmann, and Helene Bechstein, wife of industrialist Edwin Bechstein,[13] early on brought the Nazi party significant new sources of financing. For example, Gertrud von Seidlitz, a widow of a noble family, donated 30,000 marks to the party in 1923;[14] and Helene Bechstein, who had an estate on the Obersalzberg, facilitated Hitler's acquisition of the property Wachenfeld.[15] In regards to the role played by women voters in Hitler's rise to power, Helen Boak notes that the "NSDAP had been gaining proportionately more support from women than from men from 1928 onwards, not because of any concerted effort on its part nor because of its leader's charisma nor because of one specific element of its propaganda. Women chose to vote NSDAP for the same reasons men voted for the party - out of self-interest, out of a belief that the party best represented their own idea of what German society should be, even if they may have disagreed with the party's stand on individual issues. The larger increase in the share of women's votes than in that of men's votes cast for the NSDAP from 1928 owes much to the party's growing prominence and respectability, as the party's dynamism, the contrast of its young leadership with the elder statesmen of the other parties, its growing strength, the disintegration of the liberal and local, conservative parties and the general disillusionment and dissatisfaction with what the [Weimar] Republic had brought or failed to bring all contributed to the reasons why German men and women turned to the NSDAP...Because of the preponderance of women in the electorate, the NSDAP received more votes from women than from men in some areas before 1932 and throughout the Reich in 1932. Claims that Hitler and his party held no attraction from women voters and that the NSDAP benefitted little from female suffrage cannot, therefore, be maintained.[16] Historian Wendy Lower makes it clear that while "Women were not a majority of those who voted for Hitler...In the presidential election of March 1932...26.5% [of German women voted] for Hitler. In the 1931 September elections, 3 million women voted for NSDAP candidates, almost half of the total of 6.5 million votes cast for the NSDAP."[17] In terms of voting patterns however, a higher proportion of male voters supported the Nazi party compared to female voters.[18] In 1935, during a speech to the National-Socialist Women's Congress, Hitler declared, with regard to women's rights: The fact that Hitler was unmarried and that he represented a masculine ideal for many Germans led to his erotisation in the public imagination. In April 1923, an article appeared in the Münchener Post stating "women adore Hitler ";[2] he was described as adapting his speeches to "the tastes of women who, since the beginning, count among his most fervent admirers".[21] Women were also sometimes instrumental in bringing their husbands into the Nazi political fold, thus contributing to the recruitment of new NSDAP members.[22] In a society that was beginning to consider women as men's equals, Nazi policies constituted a setback, forcing women from political life. The Nazis' policies pertaining to women were one aspect of their efforts to stem what they viewed as the decadence of the Weimar Republic. In their eyes, the Weimar regime, which they perceived as having a Jewish character, in effect appeared as feminized, as well as tolerant of homosexuality – the veritable antithesis of German virility.[citation needed] Heinrich Himmler declared as much[clarification needed] to the SS-Gruppenführer, on February 18, 1937: Officially, the status of women changed from "equal rights" (Gleichberechtigung) to an "equivalence" between men and women (Gleichstellung).[24] Historian Pierre Ayçoberry [fr] points out that "this offensive offered the double advantage of pleasing their male colleagues worried by this competition, and returned to private life more than 100,000 people proud of their success, the majority of whom were voters who supported the political left". This policy created worry among the militants in the NSDAP, who were concerned that it would harm the number of female graduates, a reservoir needed for future party ranks.[25] Sexuality was banned, unless for a reproductive goal; liberated young women were considered "depraved" and "antisocial". Mothers were encouraged to have children, and the "Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter" (in English: Cross of Honour of the German Mother) was created for mothers having more than four children. A "German Mothers' Day" was also created, and in 1939, three million mothers were decorated on that day.[37] Concerning abortion, access to services was quickly prohibited, and in 1935, the medical profession became obliged to report stillbirths to the Regional Office for State Health, who would further investigate the loss of a child. In 1943 the ministers of the Interior and Justice enacted the law "Protection of Marriage, Family and Motherhood", which made provisions for the death penalty for mothers convicted of infanticide.[38] END OF QUOTE My Photos of this tiny triangular badge:

Interesting and Thanks. The base end to end measures3 cm and top to bottom is also 3 cm.

Good Day All, I was able to aquire a VB messager round in decent condition. I was going to clean the inside when I saw what looks like waxy grease on the inside of the body and cap. Pausing, I wondered if the was a protective coat. Any thoughts from the community? Additionally, the bottom is marked with raised lettering. One can make out "......RTB B MESSAGE" any suggestions as to the first word? Best Regards, Michael

Found another M1917 shell, this one marked "XHD", no liner or chinstrap.

Kriegsmarine Narvik shield finally arrived, was held up for over a week in the customs, had to pay duties of 9,11 euros, although it only cost me 35 pound plus postage Am quite sure this is an original, it is not magnetic and rather heavy, I am quite sure now that this is Zink. I will look for a correct original backing plate and the cloth.

Medal for the Spanish Civil War 1936-39, also awarded to the Legion Condor for the struggle against the Republicans, Communists and the "International Brigade" and the original package the medal came in.

I have googled it but not found anything, another tip would be Lexikon der Wehrmacht, a lot of info there. You may find some info here - https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Gebirgsdivisionen/8GebD.htm

very historic items Norrie, you must be very proud, welcome to the forum

Angelika Kallenbach, a dear friend of mine

Dear Kenny, Dear Fritz, Thank you very much for your answers. I have been looking at the rings but at first glance couldn't find a makers mark.

Here is a recently sold U.S. Army soldier's letter ( Sgt. Albert C. Harbolt of 1205 South 7th Street, Trenton, Ohio.) from a year after the Belleau Wood action ( 10 June 1919) where he documents burial removals of the Marines to the new cemetery. The Belleau Wood Aisne-Marne cemetery was established in late 1918 and contains the graves of Belleau Wood marines and graves of other American soldiers. This U.S. Cemetery is located at the base of the hill of Belleau Woods. At the top of the hill, the hunting lodge is visible in early photos because most of the trees were destroyed in the shelling during the battle. See more details: https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/us/us0000/us0039/data/us0039data.pdf A Quote from the end of the letter: I missed out on this document. But it is first hand evidence of the removals of U.S. Marine hospital and battlefield graves being relocated and in progress by June of 1919. Screen shots are from the auction.

An unidentified trouser belt, German, similar to that worn with Afrikakorps breeches and shorts, but slightly different shade of greygreen and a blackened buckle similar to the nickel plated buckle of those worn by the Afrikakorps and Südfront troops. Can anyone identify this please?

original

Looks perfectly ok to me.

You could try the following books:- German mountain and ski troops by Osprey German alpine Elite by James German Mountain Troops by Bruce Quarrie I have looked in my copy of Hitlers Legions a book on the German battle order by Samuel Mitchum and the formation and renaming of the division is mentioned in there.

Preußen: Feuerwehr Ehrenzeichen, 1908-1918 Bayern: Feuerwehr Ehrenzeichen, 1884-1918

Your welcome Norrie, that's an amazing log book, one of the best I have seen. It's incredible what our relatives did during the war, very sad he was killed in action. Would love to see some photos of your visit to Normandy and the places your uncle visited.

Many thanks, Fritz!