Guys,
You know those time when you see something that has a really bad description and some tiny, out of focus photos, and nobody bids on it, but you take a chance anyway? This is the result of one of those 'take a chance' auctions.
It has taken a long time to get here, but it did finally arrive from Germany.
My assessment: An original Imperial German private purchase NCO’s M1915 Feldbluse (tunic), worn during the war, then used by the Freikorps (ex-soldiers who created volunteer units after the war when the Army collapsed and Germany descended into chaos and communist revolution). The tunic has the collar badges of Freikorps Maercker, a famous volunteer unit. There are also shadows of oval badges and cuff stripes on the sleeve. It then has some modifications (breast pockets added), possibly for the provisional Reichswehr.
In one of the pockets were two tailor’s labels that have probably been there since the tunic was last worn. One is marked to Obergefreiter (Corporal) Uhlig of the 11th Infantry Regiment (11th company 11th Sachsen Infantry Regiment- have I interpreted this correctly?), the other is marked to Grenadier Uhlig of the 37th Regiment Reichswehr, so here was a guy who served as an NCO with an Imperial German unit during the war, then joined a Freikorps unit to fight the communists, then joined the post-war Reichswehr as a Private soldier again. The tunic has a few moth holes, but nothing serious.
Also included is a large original 8x10 photo of a Provisional Reichswehr infantry company taken at Grafenwohr in 1919. The owner of the tunic may well be in the photo somewhere.
Also, in the grouping is a late-war pattern M1917 eiheitsfeldmutze (I think, but it does have a black peak?) peaked cap. There was a loose Reichswehr oak wreath in the grouping, and three holes around the kokarden where the oak wreath fits perfectly.
Overall a very very very interesting piece of history, with some provenance on owner’s name and unit. Your opinions please.
Mike
You know those time when you see something that has a really bad description and some tiny, out of focus photos, and nobody bids on it, but you take a chance anyway? This is the result of one of those 'take a chance' auctions.
It has taken a long time to get here, but it did finally arrive from Germany.
My assessment: An original Imperial German private purchase NCO’s M1915 Feldbluse (tunic), worn during the war, then used by the Freikorps (ex-soldiers who created volunteer units after the war when the Army collapsed and Germany descended into chaos and communist revolution). The tunic has the collar badges of Freikorps Maercker, a famous volunteer unit. There are also shadows of oval badges and cuff stripes on the sleeve. It then has some modifications (breast pockets added), possibly for the provisional Reichswehr.
In one of the pockets were two tailor’s labels that have probably been there since the tunic was last worn. One is marked to Obergefreiter (Corporal) Uhlig of the 11th Infantry Regiment (11th company 11th Sachsen Infantry Regiment- have I interpreted this correctly?), the other is marked to Grenadier Uhlig of the 37th Regiment Reichswehr, so here was a guy who served as an NCO with an Imperial German unit during the war, then joined a Freikorps unit to fight the communists, then joined the post-war Reichswehr as a Private soldier again. The tunic has a few moth holes, but nothing serious.
Also included is a large original 8x10 photo of a Provisional Reichswehr infantry company taken at Grafenwohr in 1919. The owner of the tunic may well be in the photo somewhere.
Also, in the grouping is a late-war pattern M1917 eiheitsfeldmutze (I think, but it does have a black peak?) peaked cap. There was a loose Reichswehr oak wreath in the grouping, and three holes around the kokarden where the oak wreath fits perfectly.
Overall a very very very interesting piece of history, with some provenance on owner’s name and unit. Your opinions please.
Mike
