Opinions Needed! Side Cap for Leib-Gendarmerie

Jvpi

Jvpi

Well-known member
Dear collectors,

AT updated a side cap for 2. Zug Leib-Gendarmerie in their new auction. This kind of cap was specially made for soldiers of the Leib-Gendarmerie during Kaiser's visit to the Levant in 1898. However, I have not seen other surviving pieces except this one. So what do you think of its authenticity? Original or a well-made fake? Or possibly something made postwar? At the moment it looks ok to me. Your opinions are appreciated thank you!
Below are the pictures provided by the auction house.

Kind regards,
Jvpi

1087_77.jpg1085_77.jpg1091_77.jpg
 
I've never seen the like. The style looks British (c.1900 side cap?) rather than German to me.

Who is the auctioneer? I am blanking on "AT"...

(nvm - Andreas Thies)
 
Jeff R said:
I've never seen the like. The style looks British (c.1900 side cap?) rather than German to me.

Who is the auctioneer? I am blanking on "AT"...

(nvm - Andreas Thies)
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Hello Jeff, yes the auction is Andreas Thies. This item was indeed designed under the strong influences of British caps.
 
Jvpi said:
Hello Jeff, yes the auction is Andreas Thies. This item was indeed designed under the strong influences of British caps.
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Fascinating. The GCU illustration shows it with the cockade, which is intriguing. If it's the real deal, it must mind-bogglingly rare!
 
Both illustrations show a chinstrap being used. Does this sidecap have any provisions for a chinstrap? I would definitely black light that white stitching in the interior of the cap.
 
Jvpi,
It looks correct to me, but John brings up a good point about a chinstrap being used.
I may have a period photo that can confirm that. I’ll see what I can find.

Cheers,
Dennis
 
JohnM said:
Both illustrations show a chinstrap being used. Does this sidecap have any provisions for a chinstrap? I would definitely black light that white stitching in the interior of the cap.
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Hello John,
Thank you that’s a great point that I did not notice! I never see regulations about these specially made uniform items but I think you’re right. Photos of general Alfred von Waldersee also shows the existence of a chinstrap, he had a same type of cap.
About the white stitching, is it usually a sign of modern needlework?
 
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JzPf said:
It looks correct to me, but John brings up a good point about a chinstrap being used.
I may have a period photo that can confirm that. I’ll see what I can find.
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Dennis, thank you for the input! I believe the illustrations I posted are both based on the same photo, perhaps it’s the one you’re talking about? I should have seen it before but can no longer find it now…
 
I have never seen anything like this side cap before either. The lack of a silk liner in the top of the cap is a bit worrisome to me as far as the construction goes.
 
JzPf said:
The LG trooper on the left has no chinstrap, while the trooper on the right does. I believe the trooper on the left is from the 1st Zug, while the trooper on the right is from the 2nd Zug.
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Dennis thank you very much for posting this photo! May I ask which book it was printed in? It looks like a page scan to me.
 
Jvpi said:
Dennis thank you very much for posting this photo! May I ask which book it was printed in? It looks like a page scan to me.
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Jvpi,

This photo is in “Unter der Fahnen der Alten Armee”. I’ve always had an interest in the Leib Gendarmerie and have done research on their uniforms over the years. First time I can remember seeing a side cap offered at auction.

Cheers,
Dennis
 
JzPf said:
Jvpi,

This photo is in “Unter der Fahnen der Alten Armee”. I’ve always had an interest in the Leib Gendarmerie and have done research on their uniforms over the years. First time I can remember seeing a side cap offered at auction.

Cheers,
Dennis
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Dennis
Did you bid or win the outfit that belonged to George Gaadt in the auction the other day ?
George put a lot of effort to place that outfit together
Steve
 
JzPf said:
This photo is in “Unter der Fahnen der Alten Armee”. I’ve always had an interest in the Leib Gendarmerie and have done research on their uniforms over the years. First time I can remember seeing a side cap offered at auction.
Click to expand...
Dennis,
Thank you for the title. It turns out I have the book but not with me at the moment. I knew I had seen this picture somewhere. It's really a great book of photo references. I hope the authors will publish other volumes of infantry/light cavalry etc soon.
 
KAGGR#1 said:
Dennis
Did you bid or win the outfit that belonged to George Gaadt in the auction the other day ?
George put a lot of effort to place that outfit together
Steve
Click to expand...
Steve,
No, didn’t place a bid on it, way out of my league!

Dennis
 
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