Related products

• 

  PRUSSIA – GROUPING – NAVY FREGATTENKAPITÄN’S “FORE AND AFT” CAP AND DRESS SHOULDER BOARDS WITH STORAGE BOX

  SKU: 13-304

  $2,895.00

  This is a very fine example of a “fore & aft” cap (zweispitz) for an officer in the Kaiserliche Marine, along with his dress shoulder boards. It is the dress headdress for officers that was equivalent to a pickelhaube or busby, etc. for officers in the Imperial German Army. The storage box is an unusual shape so it can hold the cap in the bottom. The dress shoulder boards are placed on a special platform that fits over the cap, and are the first item one sees when opening the storage box. The exterior of the case has seen some extensive wear. It is in far less than perfect condition. However, it is this case that has protected the contents so well over the years. The “fore and aft” cap is in superb condition. All of its attachments and accouterments are in fine order. As we peek at the silk liner (which is also pristine), we see a gold embossed “P” displayed. On top of the case’s specially designed platform are the dress shoulder boards for a Fregattenkapitän. This rank was equivalent to a Commander (Lt. Col. in the U. S. Army, U. S. Marines, and U. S. Air Force) in the U.S. Navy.

  It is a very handsome ensemble for discerning Navy collectors!

  Height: in
  Width: in
  Length: in

  This is a very fine example of a “fore & aft” cap (zweispitz) for an officer in the Kaiserliche Marine, along with his dress shoulder boards. It is the dress headdress for officers that was equivalent to a pickelhaube or busby, etc. for officers in the Imperial German Army. The storage box is an unusual shape so it can hold the cap in the bottom. The dress shoulder boards are placed on a special platform that fits over the cap, and are the first item one sees when opening the storage box. The exterior of the case has seen some extensive wear. It is in far less than perfect condition. However, it is this case that has protected the contents so well over the years. The “fore and aft” cap is in superb condition. All of its attachments and accouterments are in fine order. As we peek at the silk liner (which is also pristine), we see a gold embossed “P” displayed. On top of the case’s specially designed platform are the dress shoulder boards for a Fregattenkapitän. This rank was equivalent to a Commander (Lt. Col. in the U. S. Army, U. S. Marines, and U. S. Air Force) in the U.S. Navy.

  It is a very handsome ensemble for discerning Navy collectors!

  Add to cart

  ---

  Learn More
• 

  CHINA COLONIAL – FRAMED PRESENTATION – S.M.S. KAISERIN AUGUSTA SAILOR’S

  SKU: 13-871

  $895.00

  Beginning in the late 19th Century, Germany began building up its presence in China…..

  Height: in
  Width: 15in
  Length: 12.5in

  Beginning in the late 19th Century, Germany began building up its presence in China. They “assumed” land at Khiatsou and expanded their foothold in Asia. Ultimately, Germany maintained an entire squadron in China under the command of Vizeadmiral von Spee. When WW I began, he realized that Germany could not hold its base in China. He made arrangements for his squadron to depart and head back to Europe. Sadly for him, after a successful battle off Chile’s coast in November 1914, he met up with the British again in the Battle of Falkland Islands in December 1814. The bulk of his squadron, as well as the Vizeadmiral and his two sons, perished with their respective ships.

  German sailors who served in China found remarkable ways to commemorate their service. One very popular way was to produce an embroidered, silk likeness of their ship. Along with that likeness, their ship’s name and their years of service were noted. Usually, a place was provided where a sailor could place his photograph. In most cases you could see that the vessel’s name on his cap tally matched the ship’s name indicated on the silk montage.

  The S. M. S. Kaiserin Augusta was commissioned in 1895. She was an all-new ship-type, with all-new engines. She was the first Kaiserliche Marine ship to have three shafts and propellers. She had other problems with her guns, so it was another two years before she was ready for fleet service. From 1897 through 1902 she served in East Asia as a part of its Cruiser Squadron. This time included the 1900-1901 Boxer Rebellion. She was in the middle of all the action taking place. In 1902, she returned to Germany and was placed in reserve status. Ship design had passed her by, and she was no longer considered front-line-capable. She was reactivated in 1914 and placed in the Baltic Seas Fleet under the command of Prussia’s Großadmiral Prinz Heinrich. She first was used for coastal defense, then for artillery training. Finally, she was broken up and scrapped in 1920.

  Today we are offering something just a bit different. It is a framed presentation for the S. M. S. Kaiserin Augusta. The central piece shows a silk-embroidered ship’s profile. A multitude of silk thread colors appear in the image, which is so detailed that the kriegsflagge can be clearly seen flying from the ship’s stern. The smaller German National Flag flies from the bow. Directly below the ship we see S. M. S. Kaiserin Augusta handsomely embroidered in silk lettering. Around its image is a red, black, and white thread rope that replicates the German national colors. Below that are multicolored oak leaves and acorns. The image is under glass. The oval-shaped image’s overall measurements are 7 3/4″ x 10.”

  As handsome as the image is, it is the frame that really makes it special. The frame is made of lacquered wood that was hand painted in China with images of birds, leaves, and flowers. [It is similar to the wood and lacquer painting on a photo album we are offering in our Colonial Merchandise Page (click here to see)]. The frame measures 12 ½” x 15.” Sadly, some areas of the frame are damaged and show the bare wood underneath the lacquered finish. A simple hanger is on the reverse, which I suggest that you reinforce or replace.

  This is a super combination that shows the beauty and artistic attention of China’s artists. I cannot begin to imagine how many hours the artists required to fashion the ship’s likeness. Nor could I begin to count the multitude of stitches made to produce the image. It is simply gorgeous. The same applies to the frame, as well as the patience and dedication that it took to produce it. It is a pity that it sustained some damage, but it remains a gorgeous presentation that highlights Germany’s power in 1898-1914 China.

  In stock

  Add to cart

  ---

  Learn More
• 

  GERMANY – MEMORIAL MEDAL – S.M.S. MOLTKE

  SKU: 13-792

  $125.00

  This is a memorial medal that was issued to honor the S. M. S. Moltke. I am not sure when the medal was issued, but an interesting story about it exists. The decoration is bronze-toned and measures 1 1/4″ in diameter. The obverse displays a profile image of Helmuth Karl Bernhard Graf von Moltke, the Prussian Army’s Chief of the General Staff. (After the Empire was created in 1871, he became the Chief of Staff for all of Germany’s armies). Von Moltke became a military legend in Germany. Under his control the Prussian Army was modernized with better training, better tactics, superior weapons, and a rail transportation system that moved troops quickly to where they were needed…

   

  Height: in
  Width: in
  Length: in

  GERMANY – MEMORIAL MEDAL – S.M.S. MOLTKE

  This is a memorial medal that was issued to honor the S. M. S. Moltke. I am not sure when the medal was issued, but an interesting story about it exists. The decoration is bronze-toned and measures 1 1/4″ in diameter. The obverse displays a profile image of Helmuth Karl Bernhard Graf von Moltke, the Prussian Army’s Chief of the General Staff. (After the Empire was created in 1871, he became the Chief of Staff for all of Germany’s armies). Von Moltke became a military legend in Germany. Under his control the Prussian Army was modernized with better training, better tactics, superior weapons, and a rail transportation system that moved troops quickly to where they were needed. His generals in the field were the best in Europe. During the 1866 Austro-Prussian War and the 1870-1871 Franco-Prussian War, his troops made short work of the enemy and the wars ended with all his objectives achieved. Ultimately, he became known after his death as “von Moltke the elder,” while his nephew, who became Chief of the General Staff early in WW I, was known as “Moltke the younger.” To illustrate the extent of the German public’s admiration for him, postcards (from before and after his death, and particularly during WW I) showed von Moltke, von Bismarck, and Kaiser Wilhelm I as the team that led had Germany to greatness.

  I acquired a small horde of these commemorative medals from a collector in Hamburg. They were originally manufactured by the Hamburg firm of M. Fleck & Söhne. Each medal comes inside the original packet in which it was purchased. (I have little information about M. Fleck & Söhne, other than it was a military effects store serving the needs of military personnel from 1882). The paper packets measure 5 1/4″ x 2 3/4.” While all the medals come in the packet as described, some come with a ribbon and some do not. We are offering a small number of these very special decorations. The medals are priced at $150.00 WITH the packet and a ribbon. We are offering them for $125.00 in the packet and WITHOUT a ribbon. [If you would like more than one of these handsome decorations, we can offer even better pricing].

  In stock

  Add to cart

  ---

  Learn More