$75.00
WÜRTTEMBERG – COLLAR BUTTONS – NCO – WARTIME
This is a fine pair of Württembergian NCO’s WW I collar buttons. Each subdued-gray* button bears the Kingdom of Württemberg’s Coat-of-Arms and measures 1” in diameter. *[Painted in the same manner as were wartime belt buckles and helmet wappens].
WÜRTTEMBERG – COLLAR BUTTONS – NCO – WARTIME
This is a fine pair of Württembergian NCO’s WW I collar buttons. Each subdued-gray* button bears the Kingdom of Württemberg’s Coat-of-Arms and measures 1” in diameter. *[Painted in the same manner as were wartime belt buckles and helmet wappens].
In stock
WÜRTTEMBERG – COLLAR BUTTONS – NCO – WARTIME
This is a fine pair of Württembergian NCO’s WW I collar buttons. Each subdued-gray* button bears the Kingdom of Württemberg’s Coat-of-Arms and measures 1” in diameter. *[Painted in the same manner as were wartime belt buckles and helmet wappens].
$125.00
This is a blue wool sleeve patch for a sailor aboard a German naval ship who was assigned to the ship’s gun crew. A yellow embroidered pair of crossed cannons over lays an anchor. As this is a dark-blue patch, it was for a winter uniform. The patch is oval-shaped and measures 3 1/4″ x 2 1/2.”
This is a blue wool sleeve patch for a sailor aboard a German naval ship who was assigned to the ship’s gun crew. A yellow embroidered pair of crossed cannons over lays an anchor. As this is a dark-blue patch, it was for a winter uniform. The patch is oval-shaped and measures 3 1/4″ x 2 1/2.”
In stock
$150.00
This is a One-Year-Volunteer’s arm chevron from the Kaiserliche Marine. As we have chronicled elsewhere, the One-Year-Volunteer (OYV) entered the German military service on a different program from the men doing two-year mandatory service. After most men completed their two-year service, they entered the reserves. They only were called to active service when additional man power was needed. This was the situation, of course, when WW I began. Most reserves were called back to active duty. Returning to the OYV, when entering the military, they essentially paid all of their own expenses. That is, the government did not pay for their equipment (uniforms, headgear, etc.). They were expected to supply their own gear, just as officers did. Since these men provided their own gear, they were allowed a certain amount of latitude in their uniforms and headgear. Men who enlisted in the OYV program were generally from the German middle class or higher. They had more money to spend on their uniforms than say farmers who came into the service. Many OYV’s bought their uniforms and headdress from the same purveyors that the officers did. They were allowed to mimic many officers’ headdress characteristics. For example, they were not allowed to purchase a pickelhaube EXACTLY like an officer’s, but they could get VERY close. At least ONE of the details had to be different from an officer’s. It is common to see a silk liner and officer’s leather liner on an OYV’s pickelhaube. This was one of the extra allowances that OYV’s were allowed to make. They also were allowed to wear a special trim on their shoulder straps that clearly indicated they were an OYV, not a normal enlistee, or even an NCO. I cannot state with authority that Navy OYV’s wore the trim on their shoulder straps. This device, however, serves the same purpose. It was worn on the sleeve. Each “V” shaped arm measures 3 1/2.” Woven into the patch is a design of red, black, and white. This is the first time that I have run across one.
This is a One-Year-Volunteer’s arm chevron from the Kaiserliche Marine. As we have chronicled elsewhere, the One-Year-Volunteer (OYV) entered the German military service on a different program from the men doing two-year mandatory service. After most men completed their two-year service, they entered the reserves. They only were called to active service when additional man power was needed. This was the situation, of course, when WW I began. Most reserves were called back to active duty. Returning to the OYV, when entering the military, they essentially paid all of their own expenses. That is, the government did not pay for their equipment (uniforms, headgear, etc.). They were expected to supply their own gear, just as officers did. Since these men provided their own gear, they were allowed a certain amount of latitude in their uniforms and headgear. Men who enlisted in the OYV program were generally from the German middle class or higher. They had more money to spend on their uniforms than say farmers who came into the service. Many OYV’s bought their uniforms and headdress from the same purveyors that the officers did. They were allowed to mimic many officers’ headdress characteristics. For example, they were not allowed to purchase a pickelhaube EXACTLY like an officer’s, but they could get VERY close. At least ONE of the details had to be different from an officer’s. It is common to see a silk liner and officer’s leather liner on an OYV’s pickelhaube. This was one of the extra allowances that OYV’s were allowed to make. They also were allowed to wear a special trim on their shoulder straps that clearly indicated they were an OYV, not a normal enlistee, or even an NCO. I cannot state with authority that Navy OYV’s wore the trim on their shoulder straps. This device, however, serves the same purpose. It was worn on the sleeve. Each “V” shaped arm measures 3 1/2.” Woven into the patch is a design of red, black, and white. This is the first time that I have run across one.
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