$295.00
This is a complete belt buckle for an officer who served in the Pioniers. Pioniers served as the German Army’s engineers. The belt buckle features a silver surface and a gilt cypher for Kaiser Wilhelm II. All of the hardware is present and ready for use.
This is a complete belt buckle for an officer who served in the Pioniers. Pioniers served as the German Army’s engineers. The belt buckle features a silver surface and a gilt cypher for Kaiser Wilhelm II. All of the hardware is present and ready for use.
In stock
This is a complete belt buckle for an officer who served in the Pioniers. Pioniers served as the German Army’s engineers. The belt buckle features a silver surface and a gilt cypher for Kaiser Wilhelm II. All of the hardware is present and ready for use.
$1,495.00
One of the most honored positions within any regiment was the assignment to carry and maintain its regimental standard. All of the European armies (including Germany) had a fascinating tradition in regimental standards. In Germany, regimental banners or standards were authorized and issued by the König, or Kaiser. It had a true history of pageantry to it. In addition to the actual standard/banner, regiments brandished flagpoles adorned with streamers proclaiming the year of the regiment’s establishment, the regiment’s collective battle honors, and brass identification rings. Depending on the regiment, the pole might even have been topped by a Grand Cross of the Iron Cross. The men fought with great pride under these flags. For a regiment to lose its flag in battle was a horrible event. It rained dishonor on ALL the men attached to the regiment, from its regimental commander down to the lowliest private. The man assigned to maintain and carry the regimental banner (Fahnenträger) was highly-regarded by his officers and NCO’s. He bore the standard, carrying it in a special case when it was not unfurled. He was expected to protect the banner with his life. The sight of the banner waving, even in battle, was a rallying point for the regiment’s men. If the color bearer fell during battle, another man immediately snatched-up the banner to show that the regiment was still in the fight. Naturally, a man so honored as to carry the regimental colors was awarded a special sleeve patch designating him as the regimental color bearer (Fahnenträger). As you can see, the number of color bearers in the German Army was very limited, as was this very special sleeve patch. The patch was intended to have been worn on the pre WW I dunkel-blau (dark-blue) tunic’s sleeve. It measures 5″ x 3 ½,” and is in the shape of a shield. It sports a pair of crossed regimental flags, beautifully done in yellow, white, and black thread. Between them is a crown from the Kingdom of Württemberg made of yellow, white, and red thread. König Wilhelm II’s yellow royal cypher appears at the patch’s bottom. It is very elegant and quite rare. [As an aside, regimental banners are greatly prized by collectors. Prices BEGIN at $20,000 for these beauties, when they come on the market. I have seen examples fetch in excess of $50,000. They rarely become available. Many of them were taken to Russia at the end of WW II, and were not released until thirty to forty years after its end]. This is an amazing piece of history and far rarer than a Prussian example.
One of the most honored positions within any regiment was the assignment to carry and maintain its regimental standard. All of the European armies (including Germany) had a fascinating tradition in regimental standards. In Germany, regimental banners or standards were authorized and issued by the König, or Kaiser. It had a true history of pageantry to it. In addition to the actual standard/banner, regiments brandished flagpoles adorned with streamers proclaiming the year of the regiment’s establishment, the regiment’s collective battle honors, and brass identification rings. Depending on the regiment, the pole might even have been topped by a Grand Cross of the Iron Cross. The men fought with great pride under these flags. For a regiment to lose its flag in battle was a horrible event. It rained dishonor on ALL the men attached to the regiment, from its regimental commander down to the lowliest private. The man assigned to maintain and carry the regimental banner (Fahnenträger) was highly-regarded by his officers and NCO’s. He bore the standard, carrying it in a special case when it was not unfurled. He was expected to protect the banner with his life. The sight of the banner waving, even in battle, was a rallying point for the regiment’s men. If the color bearer fell during battle, another man immediately snatched-up the banner to show that the regiment was still in the fight. Naturally, a man so honored as to carry the regimental colors was awarded a special sleeve patch designating him as the regimental color bearer (Fahnenträger). As you can see, the number of color bearers in the German Army was very limited, as was this very special sleeve patch. The patch was intended to have been worn on the pre WW I dunkel-blau (dark-blue) tunic’s sleeve. It measures 5″ x 3 ½,” and is in the shape of a shield. It sports a pair of crossed regimental flags, beautifully done in yellow, white, and black thread. Between them is a crown from the Kingdom of Württemberg made of yellow, white, and red thread. König Wilhelm II’s yellow royal cypher appears at the patch’s bottom. It is very elegant and quite rare. [As an aside, regimental banners are greatly prized by collectors. Prices BEGIN at $20,000 for these beauties, when they come on the market. I have seen examples fetch in excess of $50,000. They rarely become available. Many of them were taken to Russia at the end of WW II, and were not released until thirty to forty years after its end]. This is an amazing piece of history and far rarer than a Prussian example.
In stock
$1,595.00
This is an ultra-rare sleeve patch for a Saxon Regimental Fahnenträger. It is a feldgrau version. It was used from about 1907 through 1918 as feldgrau uniforms were phased into service. The patch is quite large and shield-shaped. It measures 4 3/4″ x 3 1/4.” It is beautifully manufactured with multicolored bullion thread. I see gold, black, silver, green, red, and blue. As you look at the photos, please pay careful attention to the design of the two crossed flags and especially the Saxonian Crown. It fairly wants to jump off the patch at you. Also, at the patch’s bottom, König Friedrich August III’s royal cypher appears in brilliant gold bullion thread. The patch is in very fine condition. Only a hint of moth tracking shows on the two side panels. I do not believe this was ever issued. It would make an important addition to any collection.
This is an ultra-rare sleeve patch for a Saxon Regimental Fahnenträger. It is a feldgrau version. It was used from about 1907 through 1918 as feldgrau uniforms were phased into service. The patch is quite large and shield-shaped. It measures 4 3/4″ x 3 1/4.” It is beautifully manufactured with multicolored bullion thread. I see gold, black, silver, green, red, and blue. As you look at the photos, please pay careful attention to the design of the two crossed flags and especially the Saxonian Crown. It fairly wants to jump off the patch at you. Also, at the patch’s bottom, König Friedrich August III’s royal cypher appears in brilliant gold bullion thread. The patch is in very fine condition. Only a hint of moth tracking shows on the two side panels. I do not believe this was ever issued. It would make an important addition to any collection.
In stock
$750.00
The Garde du Corps was the Prussian and Imperial German Armies’ most elite regiment. It served as the König/Kaiser’s personal guard, having been founded in 1740 under König Friedrich der Große’s auspices. It remained the Prussian Army’s supreme regiment through König Wilhelm I’s time, and retained its privileged position when he was created the German Empire’s first Kaiser. [It was quite common to see Kaiser Wilhelm II in the Garde du Corps (GdC) uniform, complete with the massive parade eagle atop his metal helmet]. The GdC was also a Küraßier-Regiment that served as Prussia’s heavy cavalry. As heavy cavalry the officers and troopers were equipped with heavy küraßes that covered their wearers’ fronts, backs, and sides. These breastplates were helpful during the 18th and early 19th Centuries when the GdC primarily participated in mounted charges against enemy Kavallerie and Infanterie units. Swords were ineffective against the metal küraßes, but pistols and muskets could disable or kill. With the evolution of rapid firing rifles and revolvers, the küraß was pretty much relegated to parades by the mid-1800’s.
The GdC’s küraß was the most elaborate among Küraßier-Regiments, and came in two varieties. Their original küraß was gold-toned. They were gifted with an all-black version by Russia’s Tsar Alexander in gratitude for Prussia’s assistance during the Napoleonic Wars. The black küraß was reserved for use during the GdC’s Spring Parade.
Our offering today is the küraß’s center emblem that was attached to the küraß’s front. It measurers 4 ½” x 4 ½,” is quite hefty for its size, and weighs 7.7 ounces. It is silver-toned, but is NOT made of silver. Its reverse boasts four screws soldered in place, which were placed through the küraß’s corresponding holes. Nuts and washers then secured the emblem in place. Its obverse displays a Prussian Crown at the top. Beneath that is a busy montage of furled banners and other designs encircling König Friedrich der Große’s royal cypher (honoring his founding of the regiment). Below that is a 1712-1912 banner that sits above Kaiser Wilhelm II’s royal cypher. It will make a fine display item for any collection.
The Garde du Corps was the Prussian and Imperial German Armies’ most elite regiment. It served as the König/Kaiser’s personal guard, having been founded in 1740 under König Friedrich der Große’s auspices. It remained the Prussian Army’s supreme regiment through König Wilhelm I’s time, and retained its privileged position when he was created the German Empire’s first Kaiser. [It was quite common to see Kaiser Wilhelm II in the Garde du Corps (GdC) uniform, complete with the massive parade eagle atop his metal helmet]. The GdC was also a Küraßier-Regiment that served as Prussia’s heavy cavalry. As heavy cavalry the officers and troopers were equipped with heavy küraßes that covered their wearers’ fronts, backs, and sides. These breastplates were helpful during the 18th and early 19th Centuries when the GdC primarily participated in mounted charges against enemy Kavallerie and Infanterie units. Swords were ineffective against the metal küraßes, but pistols and muskets could disable or kill. With the evolution of rapid firing rifles and revolvers, the küraß was pretty much relegated to parades by the mid-1800’s.
The GdC’s küraß was the most elaborate among Küraßier-Regiments, and came in two varieties. Their original küraß was gold-toned. They were gifted with an all-black version by Russia’s Tsar Alexander in gratitude for Prussia’s assistance during the Napoleonic Wars. The black küraß was reserved for use during the GdC’s Spring Parade.
Our offering today is the küraß’s center emblem that was attached to the küraß’s front. It measurers 4 ½” x 4 ½,” is quite hefty for its size, and weighs 7.7 ounces. It is silver-toned, but is NOT made of silver. Its reverse boasts four screws soldered in place, which were placed through the küraß’s corresponding holes. Nuts and washers then secured the emblem in place. Its obverse displays a Prussian Crown at the top. Beneath that is a busy montage of furled banners and other designs encircling König Friedrich der Große’s royal cypher (honoring his founding of the regiment). Below that is a 1712-1912 banner that sits above Kaiser Wilhelm II’s royal cypher. It will make a fine display item for any collection.
In stock