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Here is an interesting document that I have received - it is an SS social welfare file for an Uscha Josef Kormann of the SS Viking Division, he was killed in October 1942 and this is his entire welfare file. It includes a copy of the notice to his wife regarding his passing. The letter tells her that he was wounded in ‘a hail of bullets’ on 11th October and despite getting the best medical attention he only regained consciousness briefly before succumbing to his wounds on 18th October 1942 and that he is buried in a small cemetery with some of his closest comrades. The letter also tells her how to contact the pension and welfare office. If anyone is interested I can post more of the file. it is a sobering insight into the realities of war and the consequences of combat. E

Here is my newly acquired M91 Carcano. This rifle had many advantages, such as being relatively cheap and easy to manufacture, lightweight (8.6 lbs), and it was very simple and its tolerances were low, meaning it could operate under field conditions easily. The action of the bolt is not as smooth and feels a bit rough to operate compared to other rifles. The 6.5×52mm Modello 1895 cartridge was less powerful than some of the other nations during the conflict, but the M91 had less recoil, required less materials to produce and soldiers could carry more. This rifle like many others of the time used the en bloc clip feature that allowed for several bullets to be loaded and dropped into the magazine well, and the clip would fall out the bottom when empty. This particular rifle was made by Mida Brescia in 1918 and its estimated about 120,000 were produced by them between late 1916 to war's end in 1918. The Italians did not have a large manufacturing capability or resources as other nations did and managed to produce close to 2 million rifles between 1891 and 1918. By comparison, Germany had over 2 million Mauser rifles by 1914 and made over 7 million during the war.

Impossible. Read all the contents right through under this link -

Then and now

Dramatic scene aboard the "Admiral Hipper", after the destruction of the "Glowworm" Norway, April 1940 Photos: Bayerisches Armeemuseum Ship's bell in the Marineehrenmal Laboe

No markings or stamps at all unfortunately

I know it's a bit of an eye roll with these questions but.. Does anyone think.. Realistically.. Hitler actually didn't die in the bunker and got away to South America? What would of been the chances of this happening? Its like a old aged question by now and Yes I have watched "hunting Hitler". Does anyone know solid evidence that he did die?

Had this medal since the early 80's. Need an experts opinion!

Hi Fletch, thanks for adding the photos. I am sorry to say this is a copy. It is supposed to be a Highland Light infantry Shako, your one looks like it is perhaps a re-enactors example, still a nice display piece but not original I'm afraid. Here is an example of an original where you can see the differences, hope this helps

Hello all! Here are the photos. If anyone could help identify and possibly authenticate I would be forever thankful. I’ve included pictures of the front and back of the badge and internals of the cap.

Hi Kenny yes I’ll post some more pictures shortly. With regards to the calligraphy type writing (that does look like ‘sharpie’ writing!!), i’ve come across it a number of times on ss administrative filing where there is a need to distinguish free typed titling from subject details - often with the faint pencil lines to ensure that the lower case print is even in comparison to the upper case. I’ve not seen it very frequently on citations. I attach photos of a couple of other examples from the Ss Standarte ‘Deuschland’ and SS Div ‘Prinz Eugen’

There were more variations, also the edge rim (compare) Bars, official: – AMIENS – AN DER LISAINE – AN DER HALLUE – BEAUMONT – BEAUNE LA ROLANDE – – BEAUGENCY-CRAVANT – BAPAUME – BELFORT – COLOMBEY-NOUILLY – GRAVELOTTE-ST.PRIVAT – LOIGNY-POUPRY – LE MANS – METZ – MONT VALERIEN – NOISSEVILLE – ORLEANS – PARIS – – SPICHEREN – SEDAN – STRASSBURG – ST.QUENTIN – VIONVILLE-MARS LA TOUR – – VILLIERS – WÖRTH – WEISSENBURG

So the pattern inside the bars was also different as well? Checkered and a dimpled appearance?

Bares für Rares - In a recent auction this miniature silver statue, stated as Kaiser Wilhelm II. in the uniform of Kürassier-Regiment 8, of which the original in bronze stands at the Rhein bridge in Deutz, brought only 2.000,- Euro. However, the statue is only of a simple trooper of the Regiment.

k.u.k. Kaiserjäger Dragoner Gefreiten k.u.k. Kroninsignien Österreich k.u.k. Stephanskrone Ungarn The uniform of Kaiser Franz of Austria (*1768-†1835) Fürst Radetzky k.u.k. Infantry Regiment "Hoch- und Deutschmeister" Nr. 4 marching past the Archduke Eugen of Austria in the Prater (Vienna).

I assume they are heavily patinated. Bars could be in various sizes.

Here is an example. I wonder if these are fakes or later replacements. The blackened bars have a different pattern as well.

Shouldn't be. They were bronze with a fire gilding. Do you have any photo examples? This is the only example I know of

I have seen some bars that appear blackened on these medals, is there a reason for this?

Five shooting books from Knights Cross with Oak leaves winner and commander of the 503rd Schwere (Heavy) Panzer Abt. All autographed with his name and filled out showing his marksmanship.

Interesting, I hadn’t noticed that till you pointed it out and I’ve just looked at them. Certainly three of them are marked as Reiter Regiment and two of those three have his full name inside. Looking at the date and the regiment I wonder if at least one of them is a cuckoo! They came from the the same source who sold his Soldbuch and other things some time ago- however the Graf v Kagenack’s were an illustrious family with many of them serving - most notably his brother in the Luftwaffe! E

I see one document is from Infanterie-Regiment 18, as are these shoulder pieces, faint stitching of numbers can still be seen. Graf von Kageneck is also a very well known name. Major Clemens Heinrich Graf v. Kageneck Schwere Panzerabteilung 503

Ss Fuhrerschein in great condition with a real nice photo! Its not often you find these in such great condition!

Thanks again for reply. I do not have any idea about which regiment. I did not mechanically polish them, just dipped in a fluid metal tarnish remover......but still I agree, no more. I do recall my grand mother telling me he fought Russians. She said he carried messages , a dangerous business.

does any one know if there is a publication ,or online list, that shows what regiment had what coloured horse hair plume, for this belqique (WATERLOO) shako circa 1812-1815

Hi Fritz! Thank you for your reply. Although I’m disappointed at least it will look fairly nice displayed. I hope someday to get an original. I did see a Cameronian recently that’s completely authentic so I may try and get that one. If I do, I will post here for you guys to see. Many thanks my friend.

Fantasy piece.

They are really well painted for 15mm, great find !

Excellent documents Eddie, and good to see the variations in the nib size. That citation had been bothering me for years, from memory I think it was an Iron cross citation and promotion document to the SS Wiking. Must have been over 20 years ago but I still remember them to this day, I remember thinking someone has just filled in these documents with a marker pen, I think I sold them for £30 !!!

Hello again. I am looking for an original ribbon for my WW1 iron cross . I read on the web that the white stripes on the ribbon are PAINTED on. Is this true? Thanks

Wandsbek Markt in an old print ca. 1890-1900, signature: Burmester 95 This picture was purchased in Purkersdorf/Niederösterreich. Some speculation as to how it got there.

https://uboat.net/men/commanders/ List of all U-Boot commanders in World War 2, each with a short biography, many with portrait photo. Ulrich-Philipp Graf von und zu Arco-Zinneberg Oberleutnant zur See, Crew: X39

Discovered in the museum's attic packed in a box, dating from 2003, 13 equestrian figures, Husaren-Regiment 15 15mm. Very accurately painted, 11 other ranks, 1 Unteroffizier and 1 Leutnant. Made of pure tin (Zinn)

Hi, I Am new here and tried to join yesterday but seemed to be a problem. Will try again another time. I inherited WW1 medals from my grandfather Kurt Draber many years ago and recently took an interest. Facinating stuff. The iron cross first class has a stamp on the back near the pin clasp KO. I wish to know what this means. I have seen Konigliches Munzamt Orden, Berlin and also Klein and Quenzer,Oberstein as possibilities. Seems to me the iron section might have been cast in a foundry and then shipped to another company to apply the silver work. I have not been able to establish that there was a medal mint on Berlin in 1914 Also I would like to know 1) what year was the black painted on versus the black produced by another process. 2) the iron sections were cast iron and then later stamped out....I think. If so when din the stamping method begin? I speak German , so if need be I can respond to that also. Kurt fought on the eastern front early with the 11th Army. I have the Honor cross, 1st class, second class, wound badge, 11 army brass badge and lapel pin. I know the patina is desirable and so I took photos before and after cleaning it all off to expose the original splendor of the iron crosses as they looked when awarded......they will never be for sale.....stay in family. I can send photos of all if you wish as I know 100% these are all original . I hope this message finds you!! Thanks, Henry

Halten Sie Ihr Deutsch auf dem Laufenden!

Thank you very much Fritz for taking the time to reply! I had no idea my post went through and got confused and sent another post out today with 2 Photos. I can take some much better ones.....close ups if you or anyone wants to see them. I know they are real as they were given to me by Kurt's wife, my grand mother, many many years ago. Just recently I finally got around to cleaning them and mounting them and writing a history also, to pass on to one of my children. I feel so good that I finally did this and also was so grateful to find this forum for so much good information!!! Thank You so much. Ich kann deutsch sprechen und lesen, aber es geht langsam. Bin in Deutschland zur schule gegangen 1959-1964

That is the one it came with, I will swap it out at some point...still clinging to hope I will find a great deal on an original MP40...

The book by Peter Townsend

I'm afraid the strap on this one doesn't look very good with the stitched edges - you can get a better quite cheap.

Kaiser Franz Joseph in britischer Feldmarschalls Uniform, 1913 by Tom v. Dregger Kaiser Franz I. von Österreich, um 1815 in Prussian General's uniform

Obersalzberg

Thanks Gildwiller , yes it's very similar to the US one you posted, perhaps the handle has been replaced but it does look like it's been there a long time. I read about the ROA too but then the British flag would not be on it. This one is a real mystery, but I think most likely WW1 period, pity we could not easily identify the nationality of the spade.

It is certainly before 1917, as the Russian flag was abolished during the revolution in Russia.

It has a World War I assocation, having the Allied flags, Belgium, France, England, Russia, Japan, and before 1917, as the US flag ist not on it, so it would not be from the Pacific, most likely European.

Beech or Buchenholz was used on most material like this and rifles.

Monte Casino, 18. May 1944, photo taken by the Polish Corps

Georg Wolz aus Sachsenhausen, der am 26. Januar 1945 in russische Kriegsgefangenschaft geraten war, kehrte erst am 15. Dezember 1949 in seine Heimatgemeinde zurück. Das Bild zeigt Georg Phillip Wolz mit seinem Sohn Georg Wolz 1944 in Bad Kissingen. Quelle: Fränkische Nachrichten

An early peaked cap for officers of Dragoner-Regiment 4 or 8, purchased many years ago in Berlin. Cap is not in the best condition, band has been crushed at some stage, inside is an erased stamp of a theatre costume company, shows some abuse in this role. Early small leather peak has been re-attached at some stage, Reichskokarde is probably a later replacement, should be flatter. Interesting to note, the inside of the peak has a red finish. Dragoner-Regiment von Bredow (1. Schlesisches) Nr. 4* based in Lüben Dragoner-Regiment König Friedrich III. (2. Schlesisches) Nr.8 based in Kreuzburg, Bernstadt and Namslau *Lothar von Richthofen joined this regiment in 1914 as a war volunteer