Early Gebirgsjaeger Portrait

[Guardian 5]

Gents,

This nice portrait of an early Gebirgsjaeger arrived the other day.

It is interesting to note the pointed epaulette and the lack of a Bergmütze.

The dress uniform jacket seems rather wooly for a Bundeswehr model and would appear to be full length rather than the short cut version sported by the mountain troops.

There is no writing on the back to give us any other clues.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
TJ

[Steve 5]

TJ, a splendid portrait of a Gebirgsjager Gefreiter .....looks to be from "Panzerbrigade 24" (indicated by what looks to me to be a yellow ring around the edge of the arm badge) garrisoned at Landshut, formed 1st July 1959....I would date this photograph at 1962, prior to the regulations in 1963 that altered the style of shoulder straps from pointed to round and the move from the right arm to the left arm for the GJ badge was in 1962. The four pocket service tunic worn is a Bundeswehr tunic, the model/pattern 1957, which did have a more wooly/heavy appearance than later tunics.
Prost ! Steve.

[Guardian 5]

Steve,

The information you supplied was wonderful.

Thank you very much.

Horrido!

TJ

[chiffonnier]

I found this postcard size picture also without any writing on the back.

Kees

[Guardian 5]

Kees,

Very nice!

I received this small sized portrait recently. It is dated 1957.

Given the cut of the uniform, I'd say our pictures were taken within the same time frame.

All the best,
TJ

[Guardian 5]

Here is the back.

[Tom B]

Kees,

Very nice!

I received this small sized portrait recently. It is dated 1957.

Given the cut of the uniform, I'd say our pictures were taken within the same time frame.

All the best,
TJ

Wonderful photo ! Tom

[Guardian 5]

Hello Gents,

I received this portrait of a newly minted GBJ Leutnant the other day. Note the single pip and officer style mountain patch. On the back there is a note reading "Weinachten" (Christmas) 1961."

The studio imprint is for a firm located in Garmisch.

All the best,
TJ

[Proud Kraut]

Great photograph, thanks for sharing!

[Tom B]

all great photos ! Tom

[Nachrichten]

Lovely photo.

Is it just me (and my failing eyesight), or does the edelweiss abzeichen appear to have a bullion edge to it?

N

[Guardian 5]

Hi N,

As best I can tell, your eyes aren't deceiving you.

I believe the Mountain Troops of that era emulated the paratroopers and had an officer and enlisted version of the shoulder sleeve insignia.

Could a more knowledgeable member confirm?

Many thanks,
TJ

[Collectinsteve]

I'm pretty sure officers had access to higher quality arm badges even back then. If you look at the last portrait, we have a Leutnant. If you look at the earlier three they are all enlisted and they look to be bevo only.

Great pics, BTW!

Steve

[Proud Kraut]

Early Gebirgsjäger patches for enlisted (left & center) and officers with silver bullion border (far right).

[Nachrichten]

A raft of questions (for the more knowledgeable):-

1. Were these 'issue' pieces or private purchase/privately tailored? Bearing in mind that one of the 'privileges of rank' is that you have to purchase your own kit, were these badges provided for sale or sourced privately elsewhere?

2. When were they adopted and when were they 'phased out' (if at all), ie. what was the "era" in which they were worn?

3. Did General Officers have them trimmed in gold?

N