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This thread will be for photo's of the Central Powers from WW1. Photo's that show details of uniforms, equipment, decorations, etc. When posting, please give a description of the picture. The main goal is the help educate others on how the everyday soldier fought, lived and endured during this conflict. First picture is a group of German soldiers in a really clear and detailed picture, from left to right. The soldier on the far left is wearing a peaked cap is most likely and officer, however it is hard to make out his shoulder boards, but the tunic looks like the model 1907/1910 version and of much better quality. He also has a camera in his hands. The 2 men men immediately to the right of him are enlisted troops, with the soldier in the foreground being a NCO, as evident by the insignia on his collar. The troops behind him has shoulder boards for the 214th as do some of the others. He is holding the G98 rifle and is wearing the M071/10 Feldrock tunic. Machine gun appears to the the Vickers-Maxim with the British type tripod. It was very common for both sides to use captured weapons. The soldier with his hand on the gun has a gas mask can around his neck and also has the Iron Cross second class ribbon on his tunic. He also appears to have a wrist watch most likely the type where a pocket watch was inserted into a leather wrist strap. The soldier behind him has the steel helmet issued in 1916 as well as a model 1916 stick grenade. You can also see his ammo pouches and bread bag as well. The soldier on the far right is using a trench periscope to check for activity, these periscopes became vital as sticking ones head over the trench could be lethal. You can see his gas mask can very well and he has his rifle close by. Note the trench armor sniper plate by the sandbags.

Although not as clear as the previous one, this is a very rare photo showing a German soldier with a plate attached to his chest. The plate was to allow for grenade fuses to be pulled quickly and easily in combat situations. On his back he is carrying the Mauser Kar 98A, which was shorter version of the G98 rifle which was often issued to shock troops later in the war. In his hands he is holding a M1917 egg grenade, showing how the twisted wire loop oin the fuse attached to a hook on the plate. On either sides of his belt are grenade bags. Also has a nice cover on his helmet as well. The plate he is wearing are very rare today, dug examples can still be found for a reasonable price, good clean examples are very expensive today, currently I have not seen any reproductions of these yet.

The US military used the Model (M) 1910 mess kit items in WW1, which were developed prior to 1910, based upon previous designed used in the Indian campaigns and the Spanish American War. Most, if not all items looked almost the same as their predecessors but with improvements. This thread will cover the basic items used. First 3 pictures is the M1874 (type 3) meat can which was used from the 1880's right up till the 1st World War. The utensils are the model 1874 and was the first time the military issued this to the troops as standard gear. Utensils were manufactured or contracted for by Watervliet Arsenal from 1875 to 1890 and by Rock Island Arsenal from 1875 to 1902. Other known contractors include: Steward & Montgomery; Hibbard, Spencer & Bartlett; Manhattan Supply Company; Meriden Cutlery Company; J. W. Stewart Co.; and Lamson, Goodenew & Company.

The M-1910 Condiment Can, the condiment can was introduced by the Equipment Board of 1909. Its purpose was to hold coffee, sugar, and salt. The body of the can was five inches long and two and one-half inches on each side. It was constructed of tinned iron, with the main body separated into two compartments by a divider in the middle. Each compartment had a screw-on cap, one at each end of the can. One of the caps has a compartment inside that is about one-half inch deep, with a tightly fitted pry-off lid. Most condiment cans are not marked, however, at least one very early can, possibly from the field trials of 1910, has been observed marked by the American Can Company.

Early in 1918 the American Expeditionary Force (A.E.F.) reported that the 1910 pattern top plate was too shallow and recommended a deeper configuration. A new meat can with a lid one-half inch deeper and an appropriately corresponding folding handle, quickly went into production as the Model 1918. Below is near mint example.

Another M1917, marked "ZD 194", has the liner and partial chinstrap.

Another M1917, this one has the liner but no chinstrap. On the outside shell is the insignia for the US 27th Infantry Division in red paint.

Here is another US M1917 Helmet, minus liner and chinstrap marked "ZC 188".

Von Richtofen is the one with the bandage round his head..........Enjoy.

There are not many making fakes of these helmets, but I did find one source in eastern europe that did make them at one point, below is a picture of this helmet. However all the internal parts, such as the liner and chinstraps are all faked and easy to come by.

Tschapka, Ulanen-Regiment 6 This is an example of a Tschapka as worn by Thüringisches Ulanen-Regiment No.6, based in Hanau. See also article under History topics. This is a standard M.89/95 Tschapka with white metal fittings and the smaller pattern line eagle.. The chinscales and side posts were always in yellow metal (exept for Garde regiments) The leather corpus and mortarboard are of the standard pattern, the toggle to mortarboard is still present and held the caplines or cordons, when worn. The oval cockade is a replacemnt, the Reichs cockade original. The mortarboard is fitted with an orginal red parade rabatt trimmed with white braid and with leather edges. For full dress, caplines and a white, falling horsehair plume were fitted. Tschapka with Rabatt, Parade Plume and Cap Lines (Cordons / Fangschnur) Full Parade Dress Uniform, Ulanen-Regiment 6

Here are some Pre-WW1 Us Army emergency rations from the internet. I have seen the one of the left for sale, empty and missing the lid go for over $1000. Quality reproductions are now in circulation for these types.

Schaffnertasche for public transport conductors - 2 examples of this were found in the attic of the Museum, they were hidden in some shelves at the back of the attic, totally full of dust, and ready for decay. These are certainly from the 1920s or 1930s, and were used by the conductors in public transport, busses, trams, etc. for many years, they were still usable till the introduction of the Euro currency, which does not fit. The coin compartments take 10 Pf. pieces, 50 Pf. and 1 Mark pieces, which are inserted at the top of each cylinder, and can be collected at the bottom, by pressing the levers at the side together, one press per coin, 3 of these are no longer operational and stuck fast, the fourth one works, but the bottom part is jammed in the open position. Doubtfull if there is anyone around nowadays, who can get the mechanisms operational again. These bags were used for decades and solid leather and construction. Used on the trams of the Hamburger Hochbahn till February 1978, the trams were then scrapped. They were still used on the boats of the Alstertouristik till the introduction of the Euro in January 2002. Some examples were converted to take the new currency, but don't look good, as the originality is spoiled. Together with it's original carrying strap and 2 small commemorative pins of the Hamburger Hochbahn depicting the underground trains. The ticket stamping apparatus of brass, which fits in the side pocket on the right is missing. Thre rear of the nickel plated coin holders bears the manufacturer name - Prof. Alfred Krauth, Eberbach/Baden, no doubt also the patent rights. Now cleaned and the leather and metal parts freshened up, function defect but still good for display. Nickel plated Münzfächer, coin compartments release operated by levers The rear of the bag is solid leather, seams with strong leather piping all round, other parts of solid brass Detail of the attachment clips (Karabinerhaken) and the two small commemorative badges of the Hamburger Hochbahn, ca. 1978 Sch

Example of the German type mentioned in the first post.

The flechette came in many shapes and sizes, the images below shows some of the variations. (Source: internet)

Captured Soviet self-propelled tank destroyer SPG SU-85

Here is a captured British Crusader tank in North Africa.

Prussian Tschako, various services A wartime Prussian line Tschako with silver fittings. The Tschako is fitted with greymetal sideposts and chinstrap fittings, which are original to the helmet. The sideposts have been officially lacquered with the type of varnish which covered the helmets, which was applied during a later period of service with the Prussian Police in the Weimar Period (Republik Preußen). The plate would also have been changed for this purpose. There is a later date stamp of the Schutzpolizei Berlin and an eagle/swastika inside the crown. The plate has later been replaced with an original white metal Prussian Tschako eagle, This type of headdress was worn by following units during WW1; Telegrafen-Bataillons 2-6 Luftschiffer-Bataillons 3-5 (Zeppelin) Flieger-Bataillons 5 & 6 This type of headdress can be seen in old photos of aviation troops, notably the pictures taken outside Cambrai Cathedral of the funeral of Oswald Boelcke in September 1916. This example was purchased from Adrian Foreman in London, Summer 1971. Adrian Foreman was the proprietor of Foreman, Picadilly (Formerly Tradition, Belmont-Maitland) and author of many books on Third Reich and other militaria topics. Cambrai Cathedral, September 1916, Ehrenwache for Oswald Bölcke +

Here's the last of the photo's.

Welcome to the forum srsLOL, that's only the 3rd copy I've seen of this interesting photo.

New item, 1917 dated US Red Cross bandage still sealed in original container.

Prussia: Dragoner-Regimenter, fieldgrey 1915, unissued.

Grenadier-Regiment König Wilhelm I. (2.Westpreußisches) Nr. 7, Liegnitz. Wartime helmet, very rare. Bandeau with "22.Maerz 1897"

Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Grenadier-Regiment 89 or Füsilier-Regiment 90, fieldgrey

Prussian Landsturm Tschako The Prussian Landsturm infantry units were mainly raised in wartime, but did exist on paper during the peacetime years. They were composed of older men, who had previously served with the regular army and later in the Reserve and Landwehr. Landsturm recruitment effected men up to the age of 64 years. Landsturm units were equipped with obsolete arms and equipment and were basicly used as a home defence or for behind the lines service, such as guarding occupied districts or prisoners of war. The basic uniform for the Landsturm was the Tschako (or Czako) with a large black and white cockade covered with a silver Landwehr cross. Thye wore usually a plain blue Litewka, a single breasted tunic with a fly button front, shoulder straps were of blue textile material. Insignia, if any, was worn on the turndown collar, usually the number of their corps in Roman numerals of gilded metal, below which were the arabic numerals of their unit. Weapons were usually the Gew. 71/84 or even older, or captured weapons. Various kinds of bayonets were adapted to fit. The Shako illustrated is a variation, not being the standard Prussian shako, but an older, non-Prussian type being adapted for service. The item shown is probably an older Saxon, Brunswick, Hannoverian or Hessian shako. This is the characteristic type made of strong felt, with a leather lid, a flat horizontal peak, leather binding to lower edge. The chinstrap is of strong lacquered leather, typical of the period, attached by two gilded rosettes, which have been blackened. The side loop to the left is of narrow black hat elastic, as seen on these types of shako and for fastening the black plume, missing on this example. The front has the standard large Prussian cockade in pressed metal with a Landwehr (Landsturm) cross mounted. It is unknown whether this item was worn with a black plume or with an oval cockade, or whether side cockades were fitted. There is no manufacturers mark on this early headdress, but inside are the remains of several paper labels of the various wearers. So far, nobody has been able to give any information on this unknown variation of Landsturm shako, which is definitely original and as worn.

These two items were brought back by a soldier of the Royal Marine Artillery. This was the maternal grandfather of a school friend of mine. Unfortunately, never got his name, he did have the Military Medal, which along with his other Great War medals was then passed on to his grandson. The grandson later gave me these two cups. I only remember, the grandfather served around Albert and "Pommera", of which there is a further souvenir, a brass letter opener, which he made at one of the artillery workshops behind the lines. This was a French Lebel cartridge, it had a small RMA button neatly welded onto one side, the bullet was split and a brass scimitar blade with engraved "Pommera 1916". The grandson lives in Chingford, unfortunately I lost contact about 10 years back. His father served with the 8th Army in WW2 - Sergeant Carter, and also had a Military Medal and the French Medaille Militaire along with his Africa Star and Italy star, etc. He finished the war in Austria, where he witnessed how the Cossaks along with their families were handed over to the Russians. He was absolutely disgusted and disillusioned by the whole setup. Postwar years as a bank manager in Chingford untill retirement.

I presume the police tunic is original of the period. Shame to wear it, once worn-out, no replacements. People today are all overweight, nothing like that in the 1940s, people had very little to eat with the rations of the day, but much more alert and fitter. Tunic collar should be fully closed, that is what the hooks are for.

Captured Consolidated B-24 Liberator Bomber.

Captured aircraft at Flugplatz Langenlebarn, Luftkriegsschule 7 (Tulln-LL). There were virtually all types of captured aircraft at Flugplatz Tulln-LL which were for a short time at the airfield before moving on. These included Wellington, Fortress, Liberator, Lightning and many more types. Schulflugzeug Caudron C445 Avia 534 (France) RB+CH - Flugzeugführerschule A/B 112, 1940 RC+FL - Flugzeugführerschule A/B 114, 4.4.1940-16.4.1940 TC+OL - Flugzeugführerschule A/B 112, 1940 (Source: Gotech.at) Benes-Mraz Be50, in use with Ff.Sch.112, 1940 Liberator B-24 Was for a short period along with other types at Langenlebarn, Summer 1944 Letov S-328 /CZ), served with Fl.F.Sch.112, 1940 Praga E39 served with Fl.F.Sch.112, 1940 B-17, present at the airfield in Summer 1944 Lockeed Lightning, captured and brought to the airfield in Summer 1944 Zlin XII (CZ), flown to the airfield by test pilot Beate Uhse* in March and April 1941. *Beate Uhse was a woman pilot, who also worked for the Luftwaffe. She was a successful businesswoman (Flensburg) after the war. Information/pictures: Gotech.at Salzburg-Maxglan, captured B-24 with Kennung A3+KB (Photo: Airpower.at)

Here is my Luftwaffe Greatcoat. I got it with no insignia, but restored it as a medical feldwebel. It has the correct collar patches and shoulder boards. It still has the tag on sleeve as it was never issued. It has various stamps on the inside of the coat. Only issue is a small area of mothing that I will repair soon, but hardly noticeable. Typically the collar tabs were removed from these coats in late 1942.

How thick are those collar tabs Fritz? I have come across some recently that are 3mm thick, very easy to sew through. They still look good on the jacket.

Thanks Fritz. It took some time to find a nice set of shoulder boards with the rank and medical insignia. The collar tabs were a pain as well. The pair I have are pretty good, but if you look at the gulls closely, the are different. One side has the gulls that are hollow with the metal tabs, and the other are the solid type with the pins. But overall I am happy with the results, and the medical area is not something you see too often.

Further notes added.

Not bad for a Reserve Officer! In the first photo he has the rank of Oberstleutnant.

Here, the most common examples: The Belgian War Medal 1914-18 The Victory Medal Both were made in a very low relief matt bronze, these examples show some wear, so that the contrasting relief is not too well defined. The War Medal is on a nice original ribbon with the double steel prong mounting pins, emcountered on French and Belgian medals. The victory medal has a ribbon, which varies from the contemporary silk ribbons, but may be an older official replacement. Used to have more and better Belgian decorations, including the CdG and Bronze Medal of the Order of Leopold, but reduced this field many years ago. Belgian medals had inscriptions in both French and Flemish.

Many were destroyed, or just detiorated before being cleared away. Many were also thrown into trenches and shell holes and simply filled in. Some of these have been discovered recently, as can be seen under youtube. There are other cases when helmets were converted into pots, pans and other household items for civil use.

Video nicht Verfügbar Dieses Video umfasst Inhalte von Beta Film GmbH. Dieser Partner hat das Video in deinem Land aus urheberrechtlichen Gründen gesperrt! Not available here.

Recent Ausweis Discovery in Dresden The Ausweis found in Dresden. Here is an example of a contemporary Ausweis as a comparison

Every year in May.

Albrechts Kreuz in original case of presentation. Made by Scharffenberg, Dresden. With label on underside of Kunath, purveyor of ribbons. Silver, with separate centre medallions. Ribbon confectioned in Saxon style.

The City today, now Kaliningrad

DMZ - Deutsche Militär-Zeitschrift A rare publication, a special edition featuring the Waffen-SS from January 2007. This magazine is no longer available to the general public or at newsagents, probably only on subscription, if not already banned, has long earned a bad repution with the broad mass general public, as most other publications of special interest. Front cover shows prominent former soldiers of the Waffen-SS The author Günter Grass admitted just very recently that he had been a 17-year old volunteer with the Frundsberg-Div. Otto Skorzeny survived the war and became a successfull businessman and advisor to several governments Günter Samtnebe entered politics in the postwar period and joined the SPD, became Oberbürgermeister of Dortmund Franz Schonhuber, a prominent member of the Bavarian CSU Otto Beisheim founded the Metro Concern Jochen Peiper, much tormented, spent his last years in France, murdered by local communist former Maquis members. All now deceased. Panzer Ace Michael Wittmann went down with guns blazing in Normandy, August 1944 The Waffen-SS, a controversial troop, and Paul Hausser, who made a great contribution to the develpment of the troop. Freed Mussolini, Otto Skorzeny, of Austrian origin, spent most of the postwar years abroad, and died in Spain. Himmler, the almighty, a short biography Battles on the Eastern Front The case of Tulle and Oradour, "Das Reich" in the war against the partisans. Mutilated and tortured: Allied war crimes against the Waffen-SS Nürnberg and the Waffen-SS on trial The Malmedy Affair: Jochen Peiper on trial

Amazing soldier from Finland, served in three armies.

I would keep the post up Peter so others can spot this badge and help others who might get offered these badges. That's what this forum is all about, to help each other out. Glad you got your money back, nothing to be ashamed of, even after 30 years of selling German badges I am still learning everyday. Well done for bringing this badge to the attention of the forum which will help other collectors

Yes Jap swords are very complicated especially the signed ones, the second sword we got in was an officers and turned out to be a fake so you have to be very careful.

Have posted the pictures for you Macca 1. Pebbling within the circlet is poor and irregular on the copy. 2. The three horizontal parts of the letter "E" are just about same length on copy while on the original the central horizontal is noticeably shorter. 3. Letters have a flat surface on the original 4. Letters generally have different shape and positions between the two: compare the "W" of "CREW" look how its positioned in relation to the bottom of the "V" of the "VI" and also the centre line of the bottom star arm.

No problem! BTW very jealous you have the Franco Prussian Iron Cross from Kenny! Had my eye on it for a while but always was a bit too much on my wallet when available! Oh well next time!

Lackie, they are made in steel or a metal alloy with a silver steel finish applied. Both can be obtained for under £25 which is a good bargain for such an old medal from a very short conflict! The brass soldiers medals are offered all in brass but with or without the stamp on the side stating it is made from captured french cannon.

i want one of those 1870 non combatants medals, i have the 1870 iron cross second class purchased from kenny. can you tell me are all these 1870 non combatants type made in steel?

Nice couple of medals Greg.