Johan's collection

[Sergey USSR]

Very impressive

[JS1]

Hi All

Thanks for the comments.

Mannequin #30: Telegraph-Trupp soldier "Nr. 3"

Each battalion had a telephone unit (Fernsprech-Abteilung) consisting of four company squads (Trupp) of three soldiers, led by one NCO.. Special backpacks, numbered 1 , 2 or 3 were used to carry various equipment items, wire drums, etc. Depending the number on the backpack, the content was different. Here is a Telegraph-Trupp soldier "Nr. 3" impression. These men wore the telegraph backpack numbered "3", a section of the Drahtgabel pole, one ammunition pouch and the telegraph map case which contained a lantern and battery meter.



The leather patch with the backpack number can be seen on the backpack flap. The wooden pole (Drahtgabel) is attached onto the left side of the backpack. Three of these wooden poles (Drahtgabel) – one carried by each soldier of the Telegraph-Trupp - would be connected to each other and used to install telephone wires in trees.



JS1

[Spanish Freiwillige]

very nice just love how equipment items were made back then....beautifull

[petopoint]

Very astute

It takes an astute collector to compile a lot of the items in your collection. Some like the Schutzchild (sniper mask) I've never seen before except in a museum. Congratulations on a Superb
display on some rare and historically significant artifacts.

Peto at point

[Hoss]

Beautiful
The #3 Fernsprechtornister looks good Johan I particularly love the telephone display.

Eric

[JS1]

Thanks All,

Yes Eric, thanks to you

Mannequin #31 : Telegraph soldier with Feldfernsprecher 16, Type B.

The Feldfernsprecher 16 appears in two versions, Type A and Type B. The Type A was merely an a modified Feldfernsprecher alter Art adapted for two cables instead of one. Because the modifications were difficult to carry out, Type A was soon replaced by a Type B. The Type A boxes are difficult to find.




JS1

[Adler 1]

Great displays!... as always

Adler 1

[JS1]

a next one:


Mannequin #32 : Telegraph soldier with telephone equipment

This Bavarian telegraph soldiers carries a wealth of telephone equipment. At the left is a black leather pouch for a headphone. Additional headphones were introduced in 1905 (Kopffernhörer alter Art) together with the Armeefernsprechgerät. This device could be directly connected to the Eiserner Armeefernsprecher or the different models of Feldfernsprecher. It was a large circular device with an aluminum body. Interestingly enough, the headphone could also be used as a microphone. A new economic design appeared in 1913 (Eiserner Kopffernhörer). The headphones' earpiece was initially covered with felt, but later wartime versions had wooden or leather covers. They were carried in brown leather pouches before 1915, black leather pouches after 1915 or an Ersatz type pouch made from felt, paper-cloth or sheet metal.

A battery tester is hanging on his belt next to grey painted the telegraph belt buckle. At the right is the black leather carrier for a Feldfernsprecher.









JS1

[JS1]

Mannequin #33: Kraftfahrer with Grabenpanzer



The pictured Kraftfahrer mannequin is wearing a very strange combination of uniform and equipment items, to say the least. But this outfitting is based on a period photograph, which appears as a blow-up in the lower right corner. A leather uniform is worn in combination with steel body armor (Grabenpanzer), driver's gas mask, hand grenades, Kar98 carbine with short bayonet, trench light and one Model 1909 blackened ammunition pouch. On his right-hand side, he carries a P08 holster, although a smaller pistol holster is seen in the period photograph. Perhaps Kraftfahrer were not equipped with this type of equipment on a day-to-day basis, but the mannequin offers a nice "that was then, this is now" point-counterpoint image. The goggles came to with a peaked leather Kraftfahrer cap, but they do represent a deviation from most goggles seen in period photographs.









Two Stielhangranaten - the so-called "potato masher" hand grenades - hang from the leather belt (Leibriemen) of the mannequin. These grenades came in 5 1/2 and 7 second delayed action models. The star-shaped serrated caps on the bottom of the wooden shafts are screwed off and a string with a ball on its end falls out. This lanyard attaches to a friction fuse inside the metal grenade head. When the string is pulled, the countdown to explosion begins, the duration depending upon which grenade is used.





JS1

[Rogerd]

Very impressive!!!!!!!!!!!

[Wilhelm]

Constant WOW!
Wilhelm

[Adler 1]

Uber great!

Adler 1

[Spanish Freiwillige]

Johan I have now found my personal favorite in your collection....
sweet.....

[petopoint]

Superb

Excellent rendition, a period photo or another period depiction always adds to the actual display piece. Another museum quality example shown with his accoutrements in all its imperial made splendor. Congrats,,

[ccj]

Very nice.