Are those guys Freikorps?

[Gran Sasso]

What do you think? Both dated 1919 on the back

[mchap]

Top photo: Both are Reichswehr... the guy sitting could be wearing the kragenabzeichen of Freiwilligentruppen der 32, Reichswhehr-Brigade / Freiwillige 12. Infantrie Division (Schlesische) - Haarcke, pg. 129, item 739. Im not good at ID'ing collar litzen... perhaps a member with better understanding can say if he is a Marine?

Bottom photo: Provisional Reichswehr, both wearing SA 1st class. The guy sitting down has either the rare white metal version, or a rare white enamel version. I wonder what pin the is on the left pocket of the guy standing up?

Very nice photos.

[Brian L.]

Top photo: Both are Reichswehr... the guy sitting could be wearing the kragenabzeichen of Freiwilligentruppen der 32, Reichswhehr-Brigade / Freiwillige 12. Infantrie Division (Schlesische) - Haarcke, pg. 129, item 739. Im not good at ID'ing collar litzen... perhaps a member with better understanding can say if he is a Marine?

Bottom photo: Provisional Reichswehr, both wearing SA 1st class. The guy sitting down has either the rare white metal version, or a rare white enamel version. I wonder what pin the is on the left pocket of the guy standing up?

Very nice photos.

Hi Mike

The guy is likely wearing a silvered version of the SA.

There is no rare white enamel version for Germans. That's a myth. The white enamel Silesian Eagle with "für Schlesien" is a fake version of the comparatively rare Polish award for Silesia with the words "O Slask" at the bottom. The white fakes with "O Slask" replaced by "für Schlesien" have been floating around the market for at least 30 years, if not more. Lots of dealers have been selling them as rare variations and that is what started the myth.

[Gran Sasso]

Thanks for the infos! Better scanns of the medals:

[mchap]

Thanks for clarification on both SA types Brian.

I was referring to the "O SLASK" version, not the fake white enameled "FUR SCHLESIEN". Bit of a dumb question.... the white enameled Polish SA was given to Poles fighting against the Germans? I made the assumption that the Polish style was given to Germans since the two awards are so similar, do we know why that is?

Gran - thanks for the close ups, the SA 1st class of the fellow sitting down looks like the silvered version mentioned in Bolewts58's post. I called it silvered white metal which is incorrect!

Just taking a guess... the second photo we can see a pin on the breast pocket of the guy standing, sort of looks like an Iron Roland?

[Brian L.]

the white enameled Polish SA was given to Poles fighting against the Germans? I made the assumption that the Polish style was given to Germans since the two awards are so similar, do we know why that is?

The Silesian Eagle is the heraldic symbol for the region. As far as I'm aware the Polish version, which was only awarded to Poles came after the German version and likely copied some of the design. But the eagle's head faces west in the direction of Germany. Whereas, the German version head faces east towards Poland.

[Destruction]

The Silesian Eagle is the heraldic symbol for the region. As far as I'm aware the Polish version, which was only awarded to Poles came after the German version and likely copied some of the design. But the eagle's head faces west in the direction of Germany. Whereas, the German version head faces east towards Poland.

Funny thing. Do you know why both eagles are so similar in design? Because Polish white enameled version was produced...by Meybauer

[mchap]

Interesting histories on the German and Polish SA, thanks Brian.

Since Meybauer made the Polish SA, that would likely explain similarities.. how ironic.

[Brian L.]

Funny thing. Do you know why both eagles are so similar in design? Because Polish white enameled version was produced...by Meybauer

Meybauer made EVERYTHING! So, why let a little thing like partriotism stand in the way of making a Mark?

BTW, the Polish version is basically the heraldic coat of arms of the ancient Polish Principality of Silesia. Hence the Medieval princely crown above the half-moon and and cross.

[Clayton]

These are very interesting photos. Thank you very much for posting them.

[Jean-Claude]

Funny thing. Do you know why both eagles are so similar in design? Because Polish white enameled version was produced...by Meybauer

Funny indeed, specially if you compare the polish enamelled version to its german Meybauer enamelled equivalent: note the same long narrow and somewhat uneven feathering used on both. Just wondering if the polish version is marked and uses the same hardware

Cheers

JC

[reichenberg]

One of those dreadful fakes that keep turning up.


http://i.piccy.info/i7/94ffda011b5de...829655/a11.jpg

[Destruction]

Just wondering if the polish version is marked and uses the same hardware

Cheers

JC

It is I think I will make a separate thread regarding this Polish eagle a bit later.

[Jean-Claude]

It is I think I will make a separate thread regarding this Polish eagle a bit later.

Thank you Serg, looking forward to your thread

Regards

JC