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When the US decided to enter the conflict in WW1, they had to look at the hard realities of the conflict, to include hand to hand fighting and equipment involved. So the US Ordnance Department requested designs from various manufacturers with general requirements. One of the official requirements for this knife was that it should be able to penetrate German overcoats. The design that was selected was from Henry Disston and Sons, of Philadelphia. Their design featured a slim sharp pointed triangular blade that was 9 inches long which ended with a wooden handle and a metal spiked knuckle guard. The triangular approach was favored as it would easily go through clothing to handle business. The Disston knife was approved and named the US Model of 1917. Metal parts were blued and stamped accordingly. The scabbard issued with these knives consisted of a leather scabbard which was painted a olive green color, which attached to a metal throat that had cartridge belt hooks, so it could be attached to the current field gear. This weapon saw front line use with the US forces, but the shape of the blade limited its uses, which led to the development of the M1918 Mk1 trench knives. This knife is marked "L.F. & C" which stood for Landers, Frary and Clark.

The trouble is I'm never actually sure if there'll ever be a complete list of liner makers...new ones seem to keep coming out of the woodwork tho there MUST be contract details somewhere. I guess we'll have to wait for Marcus' book for that. ..but if it's lists you want, a list of Zuck / CPH liner makers would be very interesting.....I gave up on that when it started to look like everyone and his brother made 'em! ....sorry, I know this isn't a Zuck thread.

Here is a very early WW2 US M1 Helmet and liner. The M1 helmet was put into production in 1941 to replace the M1917 A1 Kelly helmet. The liner is what is known as the Hawley type or liner-fiber-M1, which was made the Hawley company and was fabricated from compressed cardboard. The liner was painted a khaki green color, and had a white colored rayon webbing for the internal liner and headband assembly. A key characteristic for this liner verses later ones is the use of rectangular aluminum washers versus the more familiar triangular types. Another feature was the thin leather chinstrap, which could be used to secure the liner to the helmet, on this model they are riveted in place compared to later ones where the strap could be removed. This liner was very prone to damage from damp and humid conditions, which led to it being phased out for low pressure liners ( also found to be inadequate), then to high pressure liners. Interestingly enough, the US paratroopers also tested the Hawley design out, which was very similar to the version shown below, but also was rejected. The helmet itself is known as the "front seam" type, meaning the band that runs along the bottom of the helmet is joined at the front whereas in later models this was moved to the rear of the helmet. Another early war feature if this helmet are the bales where the chinstrap attaches to. This model has the fixed bale types which were basically half rectangle shapes welded on, this was found to be inadequate as well, and the swivel bales were added to later models starting in 1943. The helmet chinstrap is brass and has the raised bar feature used from 1941 to late 1942. The production number on this helmet is a low one, 77E, which puts the date in 1941. Overall a nice early example of the M1 helmet for WW2.

Good to know, I have seen some of handles for these recently. It is amazing how prevalent the reproductions have become lately.

Interesting, hopefully you will be able to wheel and deal again. When these tripods come up for sale here, they are a gamble, usually cobbled together re-works. I have not seen a untouched, nice original painted one outside a museum here.

Just curious, are these tripods easy available in Europe? If so, what types are seen more often, the MG34 or 42 types.

Hey Fritz, yes my mistake, been having a Migraine most of the week, driving me nuts. Must have had aviation on the brain!

Excellent. However the correct word is "Lafette". Lafayette was the name of a French aviation squadron with almost completely American volunteers 1915-17, named after the French Admiral, who assisted during the American war of independence, 1776-1783.

Here is the ammunition box that would be used for the M1917 revolver. The box contained the ammunition in 50 cardboard boxes. Each individual box had 24 rounds in half moon clips ready to use. Below is a picture of an individual box with period ammunition still inside.

The US Civil war was from 1861-1865, consisted of fighting between US federal forces (North) and Confederate forces (South). Northern troops were generally better equipped than their southern opponents, mainly due to the the large industrial and economic base in the North. Originally there was only one manufacturer for canteens, however as the war dragged on, more companies were added. Once the canteens were produced and inspected they were packed 200 per wooden shipping crate and sent a forward supply depot for issue. Here we have a US m1858 canteen (3 Pints), this type was used by federal troops. This canteen had a metal circular body, where 2 halves were soldered together, covered by a cloth cover. originally these canteens were supposed to be supplied with a leather carrying strap, but expediency and economic issues intervened, and the use of cloth based straps were introduced. This canteen has a brown colored cloth cover, which is not uncommon. Fanciful images of this period are of canteens that are blue or grey colored in appearance, although the matching uniformity was appealing, wartime production took whatever materials were available. The canteen itself has three loops for the cloth shoulder strap, and the stopper has a piece of twine to prevent loss. The shoulder strap is marked "Geo. D. Winchell, Marsh and Co. which was based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. I got this canteen in a matching uniform and field gear group from a soldier in the Spanish American war.

Seen a similar example in London's Imperial War Museum many years ago. Watch out for repro Demag daggers, which have been around for many years now. They are thought to be made in India, quality of manufacture is not bad, just the leather parts, being black, make it look too un-authentic, apart from being without any finish and quite blank. If buying a repro, then it is a question of the price, too many offers are overcharging. Otherwise, normal trench daggers have become very expensive in the past few years. Another apparent reproduction, which might easily fool collectors. Demag type trench dagger, repro

I will check out the you tube section, I agree all quiet on the western front is an excellent movie, and I have a copy. I still remember the scene where the french infantry reach the german lines only to be blown up, all you see are hands hanging, never forgot that part.

Yes Fritz you are correct. My mistake. Oberleutnant would be a 1st Lt US equivalent. Good catch.

Here is a M31 canteen, the cup is marked "ESB 39". I did not see any stamps on the canteen itself, the leather strap around the canteen is dated 1937.

Here is a selection of "standard" German bayonets at the beginning of WW1. The older types were the shorter SG 84/98 a.A., which had been converted from the old M.71/84, and had been adapted for the new G.98 rifle, whereas the older 71/84 model was only suited to the G.71/84 or G.88 rifle, which were still available in sufficient numbers to equip the reserve troops. Shown are two examples of the SG 84/98 aA (old model) in varying lengths. These had the same blades as the SG 71/84 (middle). The SG 71/84 shown has a stamp on the rear of the hilt: being 31.R.6.25 meaning Inf.-Regt.31, 6th Comp., weapon no.25. There is a date on the spine of the blade of 1888, beneath a crowned "W". The blades of all three weapons are by Weyersberg, Kirchbaum & Cie., Solingen. All three weapons have walnut grips. The rear of the pommel shows two crowned inspection marks, which are almost always present. In most cases, the blades were only sharpened on mobilisation, never in peacetime. The misuse of blades was also absolutely prohibited. The scabbard of the SG 71/84 shown here is missing, but would have been identical to the SG 84/98. When leather scabbards became unserviceable during WW1, they were replaced by the depot with steel scabbards. Each unit had it's own armourers workshops, which, constantly inspected the weaponry and carried out the necessary repairs and replacements. Further examples shown are of the SG 98/05, which was issued in large numbers till about 1918, and was probably the most common bayonet of WW1. It was originally conceived for the foot artillery for use with the G.98 and Kar 98, but was found most practical as a general service bayonet. This was originally issued with a leather scabbard, but as from 1915 steel scabbards were produced, which proved more durable under the damp and harsh conditions at the front. Shown is a 1914 produced bayonet by Haenel in Suhl with a leather scabbard. The other is a 1915 example by V.C.Schilling in Suhl and is with a steel scabbard, the hilt has lugs as a reduction of a muzzle ring, as well as no fireguard above the grips. These versions are now rarely encountered, as they were usually later fitted with a fireguard and the lugs filed down. The next two examples shown are a SG 98/05 sawback in a steel scabbard and dated 1916. This example is made by E.& F. Hörster in Solingen. The shorter bayonet is a SG 84/98 n.A. (new type) with fireguard and sawback and was issued with a steel scabbard. The blade on this example was made by Gebrüder Heller in Marienthal. The other marking to the reverse of the blade is a crowned ERFURT mark, where the weapon was produced. This example has no date stamp to the spine of the blade. The grips are of fine walnut. In the course of the war the Allies threatened to kill all prisoners who were found carrying sawback weapons, so the Germans began to withdraw these and file the sawback down. Some photos unfortunately not very clear, the best I could do. Recommended literature: Preussisch-Deutsche Seitengewehre 1807-1945 by Rudiger Franz, Journal-Verlag Schwend, 1994 (appearing in several volumes) 1884/98 old type, 2 examples, blades of varying lenghts, original leather scabbards as before, and centre - M.1871/84, scabbard missing, I.R.31 M.84/98 old type, two examples: first one mismatched - 18.R.7.x? and scabbard: 63.R. 9. 35 Second: 16 R.3.134 - Inf.-Regt.16 3. Kompagnie, weapon no.134 R = Regiment, French styled R = Reserve-Regiment+ The original numbering has been officially deleted (always still legible) for a change of weapon number! 84/98 old type, one example with crown and Erfurt mark Both blades with W and (18)87, one with RC for Revisions-Commission 2 examples M.1898/05, leather scabbard, dated 1914 and steel scabbard, 1915, first type with reduced ring lugs and without flashguard 1898/05, older type with reduced ring lugs but with later steel scabbard, 1915 - without flashguard 1898/05 with dates, 1914, 1915 and 1916 M.98/05 with various makers M.98/05 with sawback, with flashguard and steel scabbard, 1916 M.84/98 new pattern with sawback and flashguard, undated, steel scabbard M.71/84 and 84/98 new pattern with flashguard and sawback with crowned Erfurt stamp 1884/98 new pattern with flashguard and sawback with makers mark: Gebr.Heller, Marienthal, crossguard stamped with number 1871/84 with maker mark: Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie., Solingen - crossguard stamped: 31.R.6.25 -Infanterie-Regt.31, 6. Komp., weapon number 25

A Wandsbek book by Alfred Pohlmann, published by Heinevetter in 1975 from the museum's collection. Formerly belonged to Husar Hans Dose. Various photos and news cuttings of interest have been pasted in by the owner. A large format possibly contemporary water colour scene. The uniforms are of the older variety, the KS 1852 was still in use till around 1892. A further uniform detail in improved quality. The March edition of WANDSBEK INFORMATIV presents the Prussian 1866 Faschinenmesser, acquired for the Museum last year.

See the series of articles about the man who flew in one of these machines. Tomorrow is the 10th anniversary of his death, 25.8.2009. His daughter died 15 days later: https://www.treasurebunker.com/forums/index.php?/search/&q=neusüß

Hi Asa, welcome to the forum, yes it's hard to find photos of the old shop, even videos of Chris other than the well known ones. I did have some great ones here of my favourite mid to late sixties era, some very psychedelic ones but as usual you tube disabled the accounts I should really have made copies but they are out there somewhere. Great idea to ask here for media about Chris I would love to see that too.No idea how to contact Georg Grimm but maybe he might see this post. Also please keep us up to date with Chris's exploits and feel free to post any pictures or media here, it's a good place to keep it all together. Tell Chris I'm asking for him, and I hope we can get you some new material, if anybody has anything, feel free to post it

I agree with you Fritz, pretty much all the accessories I have seen for the MG42 are all Yugo types. While close in appearance, not always accurate. but like you said, generally much cheaper.

WW2 versions had ground up cork under the paint to help reduce glare for the helmet, however WW2 models were used for quite some time. I have seen the front and rear seam helmets used into Korea and Vietnam, sometimes afterwards. Liners were no exception either. I have even seen US troops (non front line) using them into the late 1990's. It is common also to find the helmets with dents, as the steel pot was sometime used for cooking, latrine use, to beat a tent stake in, etc.

I had one like that many years ago - about 1966/67, with the "woodchip" finish, but slightly darker. It had a slight dent the the rear of crown, and a roughly red painted "Smith" at the back, otherwise all complete. I'm quite sure it was a WW2 example.

Here is my Deactivated MG-34, it is built on a aluminum receiver, plugged up, all the usual stuff. Marked dot 1944. Cant have all the accessories without the gun...The Mg-34 comes with the spider AA sight, bipod and nice bakelite butt stock. It is a typical dummy gun, loaded with mismatched parts, but displays well. Also I do have two of the double 50 count drum ammo cans "Gurttrommel" and "Gurttrommeltrager" for the carriers. The first one pictured has all original paint, the second one had the drums coated in the post war green color. I had them stripped and repainted, they look nice now.

The restauration of the statue has finally started. On 13th August the statue was dismantled and brought to Berlin for an intensive restauration. The work is thought to be completed by the end of the year. Photo: Wandsbeker Wochenblatt 33 / 14.8.2019 21. August 2019

One of my areas of interest is WW1 Ordnance, which is really hard to find here in the US, but not impossible. I found the shell casing below about a year ago in a antique show along the coast, I was amazed when I saw it, just the sheer size was impressive. I believe this to be for the 17 cm SK L/40 i.R.L. auf Eisenbahnwagen "Samuel" (SK - Schnellladekanone (quick-loading cannon), L/40 - Länge (40 caliber barrel), i.R.L. - in Räder-Lafette (on wheeled carriage) auf Eisenbahnwagen (on railroad car) as it meets the dimension and shell requirements. The 17 cm SK L/40 gun, made by Krupp, was originally designed for naval use on the Braunschweig-class and the Deutschland-class as a secondary armament. After 1916, the Navy transferred these canons to the army for use in the field. However it was found, not unsurprisingly they were extremely heavy. Even when broken down into 3 separate components it was still too heavy for horses to move. So the Germans decided instead to mount these guns on railway cars, in which they could be somewhat mobile. The railway car had a platform in which the gun sat that could be rotated and provided for recoil. The maximum firing elevation was only 45 degrees, which limited operations. Since this was a naval gun, it used the naval system for loading which used a brass casing that held the base charge, augmented by another bag of powder propellent. So this shell was used in gun that was 172.6 mm or 6.8 inches and weighed 62.8-64 Kg dependent on the shell type. The shell casing itself stand at 3 and half feet tall. The nose-fused high explosive shell (Sprenggranate) L/3 Kz had a range of 16,900 meters. The nose-fused high explosive shell with ballistic cap (Sprenggranate) L/4.7 Kz. (mit Haube) had a range of 24,020 meters. The gun itself weighed 61.5 tons. 30 of these massive guns were used on the Western Front starting in 1917, 8 were used in the 1918 spring offensive. 8 were captured by the allies in October 1918, and 14 were located after the war was over. In 1922, 14 of these guns were destroyed per the Inter-allied Commission of Control.

Here is the US Model 1901 service revolver in .38 caliber long colt. As the US faced the reality of war, it soon realized it was not properly equipped to provide troops with necessary arms. M1911 semi-auto pistols were being produced, however they were not in sufficient numbers. The main reason the US moved away from the .38 to the .45 was stopping power. In the Philippines, the US military found the .38 to be a failure, which gave birth the widely popular M1911. During WW1, however 25,000 .38 revolvers of various models were taken out of storage and issued to non-combat/front line units such as the signal corps, engineers, artillery, etc. They were also used stateside for training purposes. It was even considered to put these revolvers back into production to meet the demands of war, but this was dismissed due the negative reputation of the .38 round. This particular revolver is marked "U.S. Army Model of 1901/No. 106311 on the butt. The rest of the revolver has all matching parts to correspond to the serial number. On the left side of the barrel is is marked "Colt D.A. (double action) 38" On the top of the barrel is the manufacturer's information. Only detraction are the wooden grips, at some point these were etched, normally they would be smooth plain wood. Although considered obsolete, this firearm and many others played a vital role in helping to end the conflict in Europe.

Dieses Video wurde entfernt, weil es gegen die Youtube Nutzungsbedingungen verstößt = has been removed as it has offended the Youtube standards! My goodness, a harmless video has been removed, what is happening nowadays? Another latest development is that photos of school children may no longer be made - it was always customary up till now to make photos of school classes, now this is prohibited due to "data protection", which is now going too far, they will soon be banning photography, all books, travel and even more next.

Nope still saying it has been removed

Nice! I did find a pair of authentic collar tabs with the bottle green background, so I can swap them out on the uniform.

Some comments on how collar patches should be mounted, see above.

Yes Fritz , but unfortunately not genuine items

Thank you for posting photos - Schiffer Publishing is quite well known, also available in the UK I believe - and Podzun Pallas is very well known for military publications.

Yes Fritz, looks like it was originally published in German, I have included the information below. You can never have enough reference materials.

quite understandable. I have heard that these CAN be owned in the US, some people even fire them, see youtube. Here it would be almost impossible, you would need a Genehmigung from Landesinnenministerium! You would need a damn good reason for wanting one, and would have to prove that you have secure keepings!

A nice set, lucky to get anything nowadays. Rank here is Unterfeldwebel. At the very latest at the end of the war, all uniforms were stripped of insignia by the Allies. Of course, some uniforms have survived with original insignia, but they are the exception, so many uniforms encountered nowadays have been rebadged in the postwar years by collectors, film studios, etc. I would say, the collar patches have been badly fitted. The collar braid matches the braid on the shoulder pieces, one good sign. The breast eagle was always the first thing that was removed, so this could be re-fitted. Usually these were factory machine-stitched to the uniform. As the tunic has no SS markings internally, it would not have been from the SS, as these were always SS marked, or as later, SS manufactured. The Krimschild looks as though it has been re-applied. Otherwise a very reasonable tunic and trousers. Earlier collar patches were mounted on a darkgreen or resedagrün background, if you magnify the picture you can see the style of stitching, machine-stitched to the sides, the ends are hand-finished. This was discontinued mid-war and the collar patches were stitched straight onto the collar, but with the same pattern of stitching.

Super condition, "arsenalgepflegt", they would say. A very late production for an MG34, by then, the MG42, an enormous improvement, was well under production. Do you have one of these as well? Most of these nowadays are either from postwar Yugo-production or Yugo-reused and re-stamped. The new laws in Europe have now banned de-activated weapons, only a few small parts may now be collected. The so-called vital parts are now prohibited, and may no longer be sold or traded. Example, prohibited are now: Lauf mit Schlitten, Schlagbolzen, Rahmen, etc. the smaller parts may still be held.

Here is a WW2 German Pony Hair backpack, the M39, This one has the suspenders attached, and has all the internal compartments, and a bag for carrying the mess tin. Although very organized and nice looking they were not practical and took up valuable production materials and time. Rucksacks and "A" frames became more suitable for warfare. I have seen pictures of these being used to support mine clearing and communications equipment as well.

Donnerwetter! Tadellos! As they say, excellent. Normally an officer did not wear a marksmanship lanyard. For Parade dress, the officer's Paradefangschnur was worn! For Parade dress the dagger was also not worn, but the Heeresoffiziers Säbel. The dagger was only for other occasions. This lanyard may have belonged to the wearer before he became an officer, earned while serving as an n.c.o. or Fähnrich.

I am not sure? my knowledge is limited. Ive googled Failsworth Hats and came across some very smart peaky blinder looking caps Established 1903 so more than likely it could be, another name to add to the list

isn't "FH" Failsworth Hats?

New photos / object added.

New detailed pictures and text added.

A few charakter photos of Waffen-XX personnel, some RK-Träger Fritz Rentrop Fritz Rentrop, a further photo Otto Kumm Note: Collar patches unusually without silver edge piping.

Königreich Bayern, 1806-1918 Militär-Verdienstorden, 4. Klasse mit Schwertern. Silver, Gold and enamels. Slight damage to enamel on one cross arm to reverse. juweller's mark, Weiss & Cie. (Hofjuwelier) and 800 silver mark on swords, on original worn ribbon. MIlitärverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse mit Schwertern Militärverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit der Krone und Schwertern, rear of sword with D for Deschler, München Militärverdienstkreuz 3. Klasse, on wide modern replacement ribbon Mit Schwertern und der Krone Mit Schwertern Mit Schwertern, zinc / Kriegsmetall, swords are of iron, as from 1917, scarce Award document for 4th Class with swords, 1917 König Ludwig Kreuz für Heimatverdienste, 7.I.1916. Dark toned bronze mounted for wear with Bavarian fold ribbon.

Landwehr-Dienstauszeichnung Landwehr-Dienstauszeichnung 2. Klasse, copper bronze, 1913-1921 Landwehr-Dienstauszeichnung 3. Klasse, Neusilber, 1913-1921 (on replaced modern ribbon) Dienstauszeichnung, 3. Klasse, 1876 - 1913 Landwehr-Dienstauszeichnung, 2. Klasse, 1876 - 1913

This is another photo originally from the same source, but was unfortunately sold separately. Apparently he was with the W-SS Artillery, dated 11.9.1942. Text reads: "Ein deutscher Artillerist. Ein Kämpfer deutscher Zukunft. Ein Bruder deutscher Sch...? Will deutsch bleiben solang ich lebe. Euer Michael." Dated 11.IX.1942 and illegible place (Westen?)

Looks like Tony Schnurr's collection @ The Kaiser's Bunker.

These are from Husaren-Regiment 16, which I rescued from the attic of our local Museum

Goldene Militär-Verdienst-Medaille -Signum Laudis- on peacetime ribbon Felddienstauszeichnung, 2. December 1873 Jubiläumskreuz Kaiser Franz Joseph, 1848-1908 am zivilen Band, civil ribbon Signum Memoriae Medaille, 1898. Apart from slightly faded civil ribbon, almost mint

WW1 CLARK 'D' GAS BOTTLE A German Gas Bottle which contained toxic gas to be used in the chemical Warfare during 1917. This green glass bottle contained a fluid with a colour varying from eggwhite to brown/yellow and a smell similar to shoe polish, it was known to the Germans under the code name 'Clark' which stood for DA-gas, a Vomiting agent. The product was meant specifically to penetrate through safety measures such as gasmasks, especially treated cloths and even the anti gas ointment Item A0819. It was only loaded into projectiles of the 7.7cm model 1896 and the model 1915. These could be identified by a blue cross on the body. When the shell exploded, the glass was shattered and the fluid vaporised. Tens of these formed a vast cloud of toxic gas. This was a very rare item as it was only to be removed when opening a gas shell, something that no reasonable human being dared to do. In 2002 during earthworks in the village of Houthulst (Belgium) near to the site of the Bomb Disposal Base of the Belgium Army, a dump of inner parts of all sorts of German Shells and grenades was discovered. Research has shown that in 1919 German prisoners of war had been put to work emptying these dangerous beasts to salvage steel. The parts not wanted were simply thrown into shell holes. Only around 300 are known to have survived from that source. it goes without saying" never ever touch a live gas shell if you come across one !"