Anyone collect Imperial Militaria? I do, here is some of mine.

[the ringo kid]

This is a Freikorps Silesian Eagle 2nd class:

This is a Hessian Warriors Cross in Iron and is rarer than our Medal of Honor:

My oldest piece which is an 1848 "Constitution War" Austrian/Tyrol Campaign medal which is pure silver.

This was part of a 3 piece grouping I traded for about 10 years ago. It had belonged to a Sergeant in the 3rd Imperial Marine Infantry Regiment awarded to him in 1917. It was very rare for an NCO to be awarded the Iron Cross 1st class. Both his crosses were made by K.O. which was the Kings favorite medals maker.

Guards Grenadier Regiment 4, Regimental Cross:

This cross was given to me by a WWII U boat veteran. It was originally his fathers cross as presented to him in 1901. This is the: Royal Bavarian Infantry Regiment 15 (King of Saxony). This is actually called a Loyalty to the Regiment Cross.

This is one of three Hansiatic Crosses-which were awarded to Soldies from the three Hanseatic Cities of: Hamburg appx 55,000 awarded) (Bremen (about 15,000 awarded) and Lubeck Hanseatic Cross (appx 5,000 awarded) this one is a Breman Hanseatic Cross:

I also have the Lubeck cross but only as part of a 2-place medal bar.
Large ribbon bar w/o the awards which were the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd class and the 1914 Friedrich August cross 2nd class. Both crosses are equal in rank, but one is national, the other is state level.

This is a 51st Infantry Division vets organization stick pin, I also have the pin-back badge:

Ive more but not in any online account and ready to post.

 

[zzzippper]

Very nice, thanks for sharing. Not that I need anything else to collect, but where do you find this stuff and learn about iy?

 

[S&W45Colt]

Wow, that's some unusual and cool stuff.

 

[weatherby]

Thanks for posting as Shultz would say I know nothing.
I really liked your sharing some of the history on how and by whom you acquired them.
Thanks again
Paul

 

[the ringo kid]

Very nice, thanks for sharing. Not that I need anything else to collect, but where do you find this stuff and learn about iy?

I got most of these from dealers in Germany like Detlev Niemann in Hamburg (who-sadly retired from the business several years ago), Helmut Weitze==who is still in business, and Carsten Baldes--before he earned a bad reputation for selling fakes as the real deal. Im getting out of collecting because its too expensive these days.

 

[the ringo kid]

Wow, that's some unusual and cool stuff.

Ive even more cool stuff, but none can be posted till I get a friend to post in a photo bucket account. One of my favorite pieces are a mint pair of Rittmeisters Shoulderboards who was one of the Rittms in the 5th Uhlan Cavalry Regiment who was a Field Marshal in WWII. The reason Im not naming him is because I can no longer prove they were his. Ive several others goodies as well.

I dont have a clue what any of these items are valued at these days.

 

[the ringo kid]

Thanks for posting as Shultz would say I know nothing.
I really liked your sharing some of the history on how and by whom you acquired them.
Thanks again
Paul

Thank you for the interest and glad to teach a bit. )

 

[11B Lifer]

Should you be interested, a German historian, Peter Meinelschmidt ( I may be off some on spelling ) published a study of German WW1 dog tags - essentially an ORBAT- Describes identification, interpretation, where the units were etc. I helped him translate the book back in the early 90s- It was available thru one of the military auction houses at that time.

 

[sheepdawg]

Here's a picture of my grandfather from around 1910. Wish I could find some of those. He was the Constable of Hannover.

 

[the ringo kid]

Should you be interested, a German historian, Peter Meinelschmidt ( I may be off some on spelling ) published a study of German WW1 dog tags - essentially an ORBAT- Describes identification, interpretation, where the units were etc. I helped him translate the book back in the early 90s- It was available thru one of the military auction houses at that time.

I havent seen that book, but there is a great one out on German "Dog Tags" of WWII. I have two dog tags-both are Kriegsmarine tags. The smaller brass tag is actually named--which is ultra rare in itself. I want to doo research on it when I can think about it? This one is the smaller size tag and named to a Hermann Rummelsberger. The other is a full size tag made of aluminum and was issued to a man stationed in Wilhelmshaven who was on the commanding Admirals staff. I also have his cap tally and a post card he mailed to his girlfriend" or a family member.

 

[the ringo kid]

Here's a picture of my grandfather from around 1910. Wish I could find some of those. He was the Constable of Hannover.

He earned some high awards too. That breast star and those neck orders--were not just awarded to anybody.

 

[11B Lifer]

Caveat

I havent seen that book, but there is a great one out on German "Dog Tags" of WWII. I have two dog tags-both are Kriegsmarine tags. The smaller brass tag is actually named--which is ultra rare in itself. I want to doo research on it when I can think about it? This one is the smaller size tag and named to a Hermann Rummelsberger. The other is a full size tag made of aluminum and was issued to a man stationed in Wilhelmshaven who was on the commanding Admirals staff. I also have his cap tally and a post card he mailed to his girlfriend" or a family member.

Probably rare dog tags! Very neat!!! Having collected in Holland and Germany for many years, I advise folks to be wary of fakes-When the wall came down the old soviet factories went nuts making **** to sell to Americans WW1 and WW2! I bought some of this stuff (I knew they were fakes)-Everything- helmets, weapons, medals, badges, swords, knives- you name it- they have faked it. Now that about 80 % (+) of the units are out of Europe more of his stuff will be sold digitally. Not a problem as long as you aren't paying for an original- yet getting a fake.

 

[the ringo kid]

Probably rare dog tags! Very neat!!! Having collected in Holland and Germany for many years, I advise folks to be wary of fakes-When the wall came down the old soviet factories went nuts making **** to sell to Americans WW1 and WW2! I bought some of this stuff (I knew they were fakes)-Everything- helmets, weapons, medals, badges, swords, knives- you name it- they have faked it. Now that about 80 % (+) of the units are out of Europe more of his stuff will be sold digitally. Not a problem as long as you aren't paying for an original- yet getting a fake.

The exploding fake market is partly who im getting out of collecting. Baldes got me good once--only once. It wasnt a fortune, but none the less more than I want to lose. Hes got a very bad reputation just like Peter von Lukacs from Sweden.

Ive seen faked everything (not made as repo) but outwardly faked stuff from GI condoms to German ""toilet paper cloth strips"" which were made to be used, washed and reused.

There is at least 85% or more faked stuff out there than ever originally produced. And that's a conservative estimate--and more for the WWII items. Imperial is greatly faked, but not as much as WWII items.

 

[brucev]

Stunning! Thank you for this post!

 

[gdnagle]

The exploding fake market is partly who im getting out of collecting. Baldes got me good once--only once. It wasnt a fortune, but none the less more than I want to lose. Hes got a very bad reputation just like Peter von Lukacs from Sweden.

Ive seen faked everything (not made as repo) but outwardly faked stuff from GI condoms to German ""toilet paper cloth strips"" which were made to be used, washed and reused.

There is at least 85% or more faked stuff out there than ever originally produced. And that's a conservative estimate--and more for the WWII items. Imperial is greatly faked, but not as much as WWII items.

Sad but if there is a dollar to be made the fakes come out. I see where the fake K98's are burning a lot of people now.
and not to mention the Magpul, Eotech, Surefire and all the others. So much information that you have to keep on tap to keep from getting burned.

The internet brought access to lots of items unlike before but and brought the prices up as it opened the market up to world wide status, also brought out the lowlife.

Nice collection, I've always like German memorabilia.

 

[Warren Sear]

Well, I have this Model 1883 Reichsrevolver:

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I started collecting WWII German Memorabilia in 1968 at flea markets in central Ohio. Fakes were everywhere back then! You learn fast and move on. At the time there were lots of veterans from both sides around to tell you all about the real ones. Items awarded over 100 years ago, you are at the mercy of authors, self proclaimed experts, and very questionable family legends. I admire the collection you have amassed. Ivan

 

[the ringo kid]

Sad but if there is a dollar to be made the fakes come out. I see where the fake K98's are burning a lot of people now.
and not to mention the Magpul, Eotech, Surefire and all the others. So much information that you have to keep on tap to keep from getting burned.

The internet brought access to lots of items unlike before but and brought the prices up as it opened the market up to world wide status, also brought out the lowlife.

Nice collection, I've always like German memorabilia.

One pf the saddest part is that thieves are actively digging up graves robbing the dead. Ive been offered high end grave dug items and never have and never will buy anything like that. I despise those who sell and buy that stuff. To me, thats a big slap in the face of those soldiers being robbed of their stuff. Those in Russia and the eastern countries are making a fortune doing that.

Thank you for the kind words, ive quite a few other items as well, and would like to get them up online some day. I also have a good amount of WWII stuff as well, some given to me by the vet who earned them. Some interesting stories behind those too. )

I forgot to add, that I remember when a WWII Knights Cross of the Iron Cross, which is the slightly larger cross worn at the neck) were going for about $150.00, they now average around $8,500.00 or more.

I had the chance to buy a few, but I never bought any thinking that was way too expensive, so I always bought other stuff. I kinda regret not buying them. However, I do have two 1957 reissues. One is a cased KC w/ Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds-which were allegedly made for Erich Hartmann back in the 70s and still nice--not the earlier quality. I have another 1957 KC, which is an early restrike and is nice, and I have early restrike Oaks, and Oaks and Swords--which are made of almost pure silver. )

 

[the ringo kid]

Well, I have this Model 1883 Reichsrevolver:

Fantastic revolver. Does it have any regimental or other unit markings?

 

[the ringo kid]

I started collecting WWII German Memorabilia in 1968 at flea markets in central Ohio. Fakes were everywhere back then! You learn fast and move on. At the time there were lots of veterans from both sides around to tell you all about the real ones. Items awarded over 100 years ago, you are at the mercy of authors, self proclaimed experts, and very questionable family legends. I admire the collection you have amassed. Ivan

Thank you Ivan. Also, fakes were being made before the war ended. Those fakes are actually accepted as the real deal because they were made using the real manufactured pieces. Those are impossible to tell. If I collect anymore in the future" it will only be cloth insignia. Im burned out on the medals and badges.

 

[Warren Sear]

Fantastic revolver. Does it have any regimental or other unit markings?

Yes, it does. The back of the grip strap reads; I.M.50.II.13. The following is stamped below that, but has been crossed out; 14.A.E.r.63. I used to know what these markings meant, but no longer remember.

The revolver has been in my family for as long as I know. I come from German immigrants on both sides of my family. I don't know how the revolver came to the U.S. The revolver is a work of art, and displays outstanding craftsmanship and detail, including the rust blue finish. I have loaded ammo for it using cast 205 grain 44 caliber bullets and 44 Russian casings from Starline, and shot it fairly often over the years. The holster (seen in my post above) is in remarkably fine condition considering its age. I plan on giving the gun, holster, and medal to my nephew at some point in the future.

I have been to Germany several times over the years, and was in East Germany immediately after the wall had been opened, visiting some relatives of a German friend. The relative was a WWII veteran and had some incredible WWII experiences. Although illegal to own, he had plenty of photos, medals, and other goodies. He gave me this Iron Cross. I no longer remember what the medal is about. One side of the medal looks just like the one in the photo posted above, and the back side has the imperial crown, below it the letters FW, below that is an oak leaf cluster, and at the bottom the numerals 1813.

Can anyone provide info on the markings on the gun or the significance of the medal?

 

[the ringo kid]

Yes, it does. The back of the grip strap reads; I.M.50.II.13. The following is stamped below that, but has been crossed out; 14.A.E.r.63. I used to know what these markings meant, but no longer remember.

The revolver has been in my family for as long as I know. I come from German immigrants on both sides of my family. I don't know how the revolver came to the U.S. The revolver is a work of art, and displays outstanding craftsmanship and detail, including the rust blue finish. I have loaded ammo for it using cast 205 grain 44 caliber bullets and 44 Russian casings from Starline, and shot it fairly often over the years. The holster (seen in my post above) is in remarkably fine condition, considering its age. I plan on giving the gun, holster, and medal to my nephew at some point in the future.

I have been to Germany several times over the years, and was in East Germany just after the wall had been opened, visiting some relatives of a German friend. The relative was a WWII veteran and had some incredible WWII experiences. Although illegal to own, he had plenty of photos, medals, and other goodies. He gave me this Iron Cross. I no longer remember what the medal is about. One side of the medal looks just like the one in the photo posted above, and the back side has the imperial crown, below it the letters FW, below that is oak leaves, and at the bottom is the numerals 1813.

Can anyone provide info on the markings on the gun or the significance of the medal?

Thats a great story and thanks for it. The medal is a 1914 Iron Cross 2nd class, missing ribbon but ribbon is fairly easy to find-both original and repo. I correct length of original ribbon for it will cost you about $10 bucks last I looked. If you can check the outer rim of the ring (where the ribbon fits through on the Iron Cross) please let me know if there is a number stamped on it? I can tell you who the maker is by that number. The EKII (Iron Cross 2nd class) is a bravery award. The EKI, is higher in rank than that award-kind of like the Silver Star is above the Bronze Star-type thing.

The crossed out unit number Nr 63, means that that gun belonged to the man listed as Nr 63 on the Company Roster. Being its an Imperial German unit, and the age of the weapon, I dont know if I can tell you the correct unit or not? Ill see if I can show your photo around with your permission, and I might be able to get you a good answer. I know one guy who can easily answer it but, he is a German living in China working for the chinese branch of the German corporation hes employed with. This guy is quite a character too. His family has earned through the years, at least 5-6 Pour le Me rites. I can give names anyone is interested? Anyway, his name is Andreas--and has the "von" in his name.

I noticed the unit designation is done two ways, and im not good enough to figure out why? but im assuming as on the crossed out info, that the man it was issued to, was the 5oth man on the roster of whatever unit he was in--possible Artillery or most likely Cavalry. The newer unit stampings could mean it was a gun transferred to the Imperial German Navy??

Let me know if you want me to post that photo elsewhere where I might get help on it and hopefully correct info.

 

[wbraswell]

Great thread, ringo. This kind of stuff, just makes our forum even better.

 

[Old TexMex]

What wbraswell said^ ^

 

[11B Lifer]

From graves

I noted mention of grave robbing... Here's a consideration-during the nazi extermination, tons and tons of jewelry was stolen, as well as awards received by Jewish military personnel from WW1-at the end of WW2 the axis countries were devastated-entire estates in rubble-
I'm of the opinion that much of the loot now appears as antique jewelry in stores throughout Germany-
I purchased a few rings and such many years ago-but have since stopped the practice-nothing pragmatic about it-idealism

 

[the ringo kid]

I noted mention of grave robbing... Here's a consideration-during the nazi extermination, tons and tons of jewelry was stolen, as well as awards received by Jewish military personnel from WW1-at the end of WW2 the axis countries were devastated-entire estates in rubble-
I'm of the opinion that much of the loot now appears as antique jewelry in stores throughout Germany-
I purchased a few rings and such many years ago-but have since stopped the practice-nothing pragmatic about it-idealism

Thanks guys. 11B, your correct and also a bigger amount of looted property from the Jewish folks, has been flooding out of Russia and Eastern Europe. I had a 100 RM note that was script used in concentration camps and was also the exact same script that the German military also used. Only reason I have it, is because of my friend Anna, somehow got it when she was in a concentration camp--I no longer remember which she was in? Anyway, she knew I was interested in all aspects of WWII history, so she gave it to me several years ago before she passed away. Anna wasnt afraid to tell her stories and I wished I had taped them. A good on-screen attempt to tell a story much like hers, is the Czech made movie from about 1960-1962? called: Kapo.

 

[the ringo kid]

Found this in my photo bucket account. The below from left to right are:
1914 Friedrich August Cross 2nd class w/ rarer For Bravery Bar, a two place Imperial Medal Bar with 1914 Iron Cross 2nd class and the rarest of the three Hanseatic Crosses: the: Lubeck Cross (very early production piece because its got much more silver content than Nickle or other. The other is the Hamburg Hanseatic Cross-or the most produced and awarded of the crosses:

 

[the ringo kid]

To the left, two W-SS Unit collar tabs: Langemarck and Nordland divisions. The purple are VERY rare and VERY valuable, these are Bishops Collar tabs. All these collar tabs are WWII, but figured id get them here since I found a photo of them.

 

[the ringo kid]

About 1/4th my ribbon bar collection, some are scanned upside down by the person who scanned them for me.

The Imperial 7 place bar, the 3rd down on the page, belonged to the Grand Duke of Mecklinburg/Schwerin: Friedrich Francis von Grossherzog IV:

F.F.v.G IV:

Postcard of him from my tiny collection:

 

[Warren Sear]

Thats a great story and thanks for it. The medal is a 1914 Iron Cross 2nd class, missing ribbon but ribbon is fairly easy to find-both original and repo. I correct length of original ribbon for it will cost you about $10 bucks last I looked. If you can check the outer rim of the ring (where the ribbon fits through on the Iron Cross) please let me know if there is a number stamped on it? I can tell you who the maker is by that number. The EKII (Iron Cross 2nd class) is a bravery award. The EKI, is higher in rank than that award-kind of like the Silver Star is above the Bronze Star-type thing.

The crossed out unit number Nr 63, means that that gun belonged to the man listed as Nr 63 on the Company Roster. Being its an Imperial German unit, and the age of the weapon, I dont know if I can tell you the correct unit or not? Ill see if I can show your photo around with your permission, and I might be able to get you a good answer. I know one guy who can easily answer it but, he is a German living in China working for the chinese branch of the German corporation hes employed with. This guy is quite a character too. His family has earned through the years, at least 5-6 Pour le Me rites. I can give names anyone is interested? Anyway, his name is Andreas--and has the "von" in his name.

I noticed the unit designation is done two ways, and im not good enough to figure out why? but im assuming as on the crossed out info, that the man it was issued to, was the 5oth man on the roster of whatever unit he was in--possible Artillery or most likely Cavalry. The newer unit stampings could mean it was a gun transferred to the Imperial German Navy??

Let me know if you want me to post that photo elsewhere where I might get help on it and hopefully correct info.

I looked closely at the medal and did not see any number stamped on the ring.

Yes, please feel free to send the pictures anywhere.

Thank you for your information.