A LITTLE PIECE OF "RHEIN GOLD" STRAIGHT FROM A WOODEN TRUNK

argonne

argonne

Well-known member
Gents,
This is my latest purchase, found in a wooden trunk a few weeks ago in an old castle (Burg Unkel) on the Rhein bank, between the cities of Bonn and Remagen.

http://www.fotocommunity.de/pc/pc/display/30153857" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This "golden baby" has been laying there for 100 years, completely forgotten (with three other officer haubes) in the castle attic of family Trimborn. All four helmets have been worn by von Hobe family members. Family von Hobe is an old aristocratic family from Mecklemburg-Strelitz which settled down 1800 in Schleswig-Holstein (between the cities of Flensburg and Schleswig). This place of found is the result of two mariages (at about 1905) between two officers of the von Hobe family,(both were cousins) and two women from the Trimborn family, which also were cousins.
My helmet was the oldest one (1880 officer pattern) and was worn by Rittmeister Bertram von Hobe, Baron von Gelting (1849-1911). With some good help from Glenn (thanks again!), his military carreer is now tracked at this post:

http://www.pickelhaubes.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=7972" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I´ll soon try to get some more informations or maybe pictures of Baron Bertram. I have the luck this helmet being a "local haube". The von Hobe family estate in Gelting, near the Baltic sea, is not very far from my home (50 kms), and the great-grandson of Baron Bertram, Baron Siegfried von Hobe is still living there, and I know they have there an old archive library:

http://www.meinevorfahren.de/wasistwas/adeliges_gut_gelting.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Baron Bertram was at least (between 1879 and 1902) Rittmeister der Landwehr Kavallerie at the Bezirk of Flensburg. As you can see on the following picts, the helmet is showing the old pattern prussian officer cockade on the left (single ring). It has been moved 1897 from the right to the left side because of the introduction of the Reichs-Kokarde. This one only saw 5 years of duty on this veteran helmet!!
I particularly love the gilt, still shining through the 130 years old patina. \:D/
(Note this special area at the bottom of the eagle, where the original gilt still remains, because of the chinscales lying over it all over the years!).
Spike is unscrewable to adapt the black haarbusch. Completely untouched helmet with the von Hobe name pencil handwritten inside of the shell.
Enjoy!

Philippe



















 
Nice find and its an extraordinary piece of history because of the detailed information of its original owner.

Thanks for sharing and best regards,

Edwin
 
Thank you gents for your kind appreciations!
The seller sent me yesterday a few period family picts that were also found in the trunk.
A lot of named CDV period picts of officers I was quickly able to identify in the Ehrenranglisten and who served in different units (Dragoner, Husaren, Artillerie) at about 1905-1906 and obviously friends of the youngest von Hobe, which was in the GFAR4 in Potsdam at this time.
But there also was a pict that seems to be older (1880) and I am thinking it could be the wearer of my helmet as he was about 30 years old, but unfortunately I am not able to find out what kind of uniform it could be, maybe cavalry, reserve cavalry or even Landwehr cavalry????...Maybe the pict is not good enough....
Maybe some of you Guys can tell what kind of uniform this officer is wearing??
Thank you!
Philippe



For comparaison, this guy in red uniform is definitly Baron Bertram von Hobe at about 1910.On this pict he is about 60 years old.

 
Spiker said:
=D> =D> =D> Only very rarely a treasure like this is discovered, great find!
Click to expand...

Oh yes indeed Spiker, and when they are discovered, you must first hear of that found and then purchase them....Much harder job!!!! :D

Philippe
 
Exceptionally well-done! And obviously Glenn is the best source of help I have ever seen. We want more! :bravo: :thumb up:
 
Not of the same pedigree of former owner but here is my recent addition, practically a twin to the OP's example!

IMG_0435.jpg
 
Looking at Philippe's wonderful example more closely, I note that his Landwehr cross sits in a nice recess in the wappen whereas my example appears simply soldered on top. I expect this indicates the greater expense the good Baron was able to afford?



 
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