German Imperial Militaria

Found yesterday , this has been used as a flower pot for ages and it's a 1907 155mm short type shell case .

 

great markings, so clear for 102 years!

 

Good grief that sucker is huge. I'd sure have haed to be anywhere near where its projectile landed. Excellent find Skipper ;-))

 

Carl, here are a few pics of the sword.

 

Hi Blue, that is a Prussian Sword. The names are for the Campaigns that Regiment fought in. I love the engraving on its blade. Looks like these Gents were based in Hannover? I have no clur to the year this sword was made and presented but, I also like the fact you still have the original Sword Knot that goes with it even if the strap part is severed.

If I were you? I would keep this at all costs. I can't venture an accurate guess in possible values on this sword-but you can bet your last Dollar that it aint cheap ;-)) If you want to start buying militaria? DONT use this item as a collection starter. If I had any spare cash to offer you for this sword, i'd gladly do so. This sword AINT your average run-of-the-mill-sword. ;-))

Or, if you HAVE to get rid of it? I have several Imperial and WWII German itmes I am currently looking to get rid of either for cash and or trade.

These itmes include"

A mint unissued pair of Kriegsmarine Korvettenkapiten Shoulderboards (these look like Army Majors boards)

A mint and ever so slightly used pair of Kriegsmarine Hauptfeldwebel of Ships Signals boards. These come with the appropriate rank pips and Signals insignia--made of metal in in absolutely immacculate condition. These are also snap-ons and come with the brass buttons attached.

I also have a minty Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge made by Rudolf Karnath. Its got some oxidation on it but the badge itself is minty. Its also an early war item meaning not a 1 piece badge and it also has all rivets intact.

Next are three pair of Imperial German Shoulderboards.

Pair 1) is absolutely mint and I THINK are 1916 or 1817 issue as these come with the feldgrau backing.

Pair 2) is a used pair of Leutnants boards including metal regiment numbers and flaming bomb insignia denoting Artillery. These are to the 33rd Arty Rgmt. Like I said, use but still in very good condition. These are slip ons.

Pair 3) Is for Oberleutnant Infantry Regiment 26, these are slipons. The only blemish on these is that one of the boards's silver-twist wire is oxidised but the boards are in excellent condition. The other board only has slight oxidization to it. These are sew-ons.

The Enlistedmans pair of boards are (from what I was told by an Imperial collector) to a man who served on the General Staff of his unit-but I don't know positively if that General Staff part is correct or not?. These are either Regimental boards, or possibly Brigade boards-which are much much less common.

I know at least the two Officers pairs of boards are Prussian. The Enlistedmans boards-probably Prussian but-I don't have enough knowledge of Imperial stuff to be able to truthfully say for sure.

I'd estimate at todays prices, that all the above is worth about $1,200++

IF you HAVE to get rid of that sword? and IF you want Militaria in exchange, the above is what im getting rid of at the moment and I also have some stickpins that im getting rid of as well. The ones I have in mind will total an approx $200.00 or so more.

Like I said though, I have no real clue to the actual value of your sword so I do not have a huge idea on what to offer if your accepting offers on it?

I don't collect edged weapons but, i do know enough that your sword isnt cheap. I'd think that it's worth at least what my items are worth and probably more.

Best regards--Carl.

 

Wow, that is pretty exciting to hear. I think I am gonna hold onto this little gem. Since I am nearly done with college, hopefully I will be able to start my larger venture into collecting militaria in the near future. Thank you for all of the help Carl.

 

Hi Blue, what you said above is EXACTLY what I wanted to see you say ;-)) I just didn't want you to be in such a hurry to sell this Gem. I know next to nothing about Swords-especially Imperial-though I used to own two Army Officers Swords myself-long ago. Anyway, don't let anyone give you a SoB-line on it Your sword is worth quite afew "C" notes-but I can't venture an honest guess. Possibly $2 grand or more???

 

bluehawk63

I recommend that you contact Tom Wittmann at the address below. If you send him photos he will respond. He is a very educated person in "Preußen" edged weapons. Good luck.....RR

TWittm350@aol.com

 

Upon request, here are Carl's sets of Imperial shoulder boards (plus some Kriegsmarine) - I'll let him do the talking

 

Hi Will, thank you for posting these for me ;-))

The fisrt pair of Imperial boards are Prussian 33rd Artillery Regiment boards for a Leutnant. These are slip-ons. Has red wool backside denoting these are pre 1916? or even earlier? Also, as im not very knowledgable on Imperial units boards-I do not know the "official" title name given to this unit-so therefore, these are just going to be called by their "regular" name of 33rd Arty Rgmt.

The 2nd pair of Imperial Officer boards are sew-ons. These are for an Infantry Oberleutnant in the: Prussian 1st Magdesburger Regiment Furst Leopold von Sachsen-Anhalt Infantry Regiment 26.

3rd Pair of Imperial boards are for an Enlistedman who I was told was part of the Staff of either a Regiment? or a Brigade-I don't know which? and I don't know how accurate that info is? but I got all this info from the dealer I bought them from many years ago as well as a guy who does research on Imperial units and personalities and such and I do not know how accurate his info is either? These boards are post 1916 because they have the Feldgrau backing. This is a mint unissued pair as is the IR 26 OLt boards.

The KM boards on the left are for an OFW of Signals. You can see these have all their hardware-buttons, metal Signals Blitzes and rank pips.

The 2nd pair of KM boards look like Infantry Majors boards-these are for a Korvettenkapitan. These are both mint unissued pairs of boards only the KKptn boards have age tarnish to their silver wiring. No mothing or any damages on any of these 5 sets of boards.

My thanks and Cheers to Will, for posting these for me ;-))

I don't have any s to give but could and did give you 31 reps.

 

Great stuff Will, Ok guys

here is my reservist pipe

 

Cheers to ya Skipper, thats a nice Pipe. Do you know how old it is?

 

No clue Carl, It is in a pretty battered shape too and the lid is missing, but my guess is that it's from the 1910s when the Smoking clubs were popular among German High Society and Middle class Officers/Gentlemen.

 

Thank you Skipper ;-) At one time I was going to collect these but never got started. I see these on German sites from time to time and have been tempted to get at least one. These are works of art in themselves ;-))

 

Lovely pipe Skip, it looks to be quite a large size.

Smoking memorabilia is big over here in the states. Match Safes, Cigar Cutters especially Cigar Cutter fobs that connect to the end of a pocket watch chain.

These get expensive as well.

BR, fischer

 

Smoking pipes is something that was closely linked to Imperial Germany, just a smuch as drinking beer and every man was supposed to have his pipe and his beer jug. Nowadays only the beer tradition remains, but the pipe is no longer a habit and smoking clubs have closed decades ago. Jugs and pipes are nice relics , it's a best to have both from the same guy, possibly with the Kaiser on them, but those are worth fortunes

 

Hi Skipper, im only posting this here because I want to make sure both you and Will-will see this.

I just sent you both a PM that is to do with something VERY important and VERY urgent, but no to worry, it's nothing bad AND, if either of you go for this?-thatis, also providing I get a reply from this dealer on what I want and if still available? I will make it more than worth either of yourselves while, if either of you decide that you can help me out on something? Providing everything is a GO on this? the one thing I want to make known about this in public, is that I will give you either or and or a mixture of: Imperial German Militaria, WWII German Mil or a mixture of both. The item I propose for just the initial part of the deal-is worth more than the item is priced at that I want. Also, for my thanks-providing everything is a go? I will gladly GIVE you or Will, depending on who can help me out? at least $300.00 worth of Imperial or WWII German Militaria-Free-and these items are all good stuff-not junk-type items ;-))

I gotta go as I have an early appointment tomorrow.

Cheers guys.

I hate saying more because im beginning to feel like a Used Car Salesman ;-))

Anyway, if you and Will see this? please let me know you read this and the PMs, and let me know what you Gent sthink?

Take care--C.

 

WW1 EK2 and Hindenburg Cross -

 

Very nice Andy. Do the medals just hook on to the bar in front? Was there only one maker of German medals during ww1? If not where was yours made at?

 

Thanks 107thcav

ya the medals hook on alright, as for makers - I would say about 100 ?(could be way off here )

the EK is'nt maker marked, but I do have another one which is marker marked KO - which was one of the Kaiser's official makers

the Hinderberg cross is marked 640 (i think) ....but I don't know this maker