Finding a Sächsischer Offizierstschako der Verkehrstruppen…

Adler

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Finding a Sächsischer Offizierstschako der Verkehrstruppen…

One day I was making my fifth tour (pfff…) on a militaria show somewhere in Germany. Nothing spectacular to find or even to see. All of a sudden I noticed an elderly guy who had a rather worn out box in a plasic bag. He was trying to sell it to some dealers, but failed to do so because some said it was put together and others made remarks you don’t even want to hear…

After a little while, he was willing to show it to me (as not being a German) and guess what was in the box… Indeed, this super rare Sächsischer Offizierstschako der Verkehrstruppen.
Anyway, I put up my best pokerface and managed to purchase the Tschako for a very reasonable price. This really made my day!

The seller knew not so much about what he just had sold, but he could tell that this “helmet” once belonged to his grandfather and that he had served in WW1 as an officer.

Here are the possibilities:
Kgl. Sächs. Telegraphen-Bataillon Nr.7
Luftschiffer-Bataillon Nr.2(3.Kompanie)
Kraftfahr-Bataillon (2.Kompanie)
Flieger-Bataillon Nr.1(3.Kompanie)

As you can see, the box is not in the best condition anymore, but it protected its content rather well. What I like very much about this set is that it still was complete with its box, cover and even a small cover for the Feldzeigen. It’s also very cool to see that little pocket in the lid of the box to contain the Feldzeigen and its cover… I’ve never seen this before actually…
The stamp on the inside of the lid appears to be F. Ritter Prag, but that’s all I can make of it…

So, enjoy the pictures gentlemen!

Adler
 
A great Tschako indeed. First time I see the separate pocket in the storage box for the Feldzeichen and Uberzug!

Bruno
 
I got some new and important info from Tony yesterday (thank you very much Tony!!!). He writes the following:
Kraus Vol II p. 704, Luftschiffer-Bataillon Nr.2 and 3.Kompanie Flieger-Bataillon Nr.1 had gilt chinscales with silver rosettes. Kgl. Sächs. Telegraphen-Bataillon Nr.7 had silver chinscales. For Kraftfahr-Bataillon (2.Kompanie) it is quite obscure and I cannot find what chinscales were.
This actually means it's only with 100% certainty to say that this Tschako is used by Kgl. Sächs. Telegraphen-Bataillon Nr.7. This makes it even rarer than I tought at first... and that's a good thing of course...

Adler
 
A separate pocket in the storage box for the Feldzeichen?

This is common for Austrian Shakos.

Have a look at the label of the manufacturer.

If I'm not mistaken the second word is Prag (German for Prague).

Garde-Ulan
 
Karel, a great new find, as usual! Congrats! =D>
As Larcade shows in his book Tome I, pages 148-149 (there is a pict of a very similar one there), this shako could have been worn in the Telegraphen Bataillon 7, indeed, but only starting1907.
But even the 3. sächsische Kompanie of the Luftschiffer Bataillon 2 would fit. That´s what Larcade says. (Hmm, Kraus vs Larcade #-o ). Obviously they wore there silver chinscales and rosettes too. :wink:
I would bet a lot that the 2. sächsische Kompanie of the Kraftfahr Bataillon wore gilt chinscales with silver rosettes, exactly as their prussian brothers in arms in the same unit and as the Eisenbahn Regiment 2 (until September 1913) and as the Eisenbahn Regiment 1 (starting september 1913) with saxon units (7. and 8. Kompanien).
But I have one question: how about the Reich Kokarde? It´s a prussian pattern :-s I am thinking it should have non serrated edges for saxon units. #-o
Philippe
 
A separate pocket in the storage box for the Feldzeichen?

This is common for Austrian Shakos.

Have a look at the label of the manufacturer.

If I'm not mistaken the second word is Prag (German for Prague).
That's what I wrote in the first place... The stamp on the inside of the lid appears to be F. Ritter Prag, but that’s all I can make of it…

(Hmm, Kraus vs Larcade #-o ).
Indeed some contradiction there... who knows for shure? Anyway, I don't like the Tschako less for that reason...
I've also been wondering about the kokarde and it should indeed be a Saxon style version I would think, but since this Tschako has never been in collectors hands before and because it's not messed with, I will leave it as it is...

Adler
 
but it is covered with new soft felt. this is not what they are covered with they are covered with cloth. the felt is hairy. the leather is ols and cracking. the felt is not so old. not sowed round the top to hold the top on. .I saw this before when it was prussian
 
You just saw another one then... a Prussian one... Maybe the antiques dealer was English like you?

Adler
 
He was english but no dealer. I seen that tschako before with bad ripped cloth. then I seen it after when he covered it in that feltand said it was a different tschako.
Look there is no sowing in the holes round the top. check it
sorry I do remember it. sorry
 
Because the original pictures I posted have disappeared, I had to "reconstruct" this thread... So here are the rest of the missing pics...

Adler
 
I still like the pocket for the field badge. Didn't know that about Austrian helmets! But then, I don't have any, so my ignorance is now cured in that respect. Thanks! :)

:D Ron
 
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