WW I Pilot Photo

[Eric Queen]

I picked up this photo the other day. Its way out of my line but I thought it was neat with the pilots badge and EKI.

I don't know anything about this period, so if there is anything anyone can tell me about this it would be appreciated.

Thanks !!

[Rick Research]

This is a really nice portrait of a senior NCO ("Vizefeldwebel/Vizewachtmeister" ranks carried officer swords/knots like this. Old Imperial army rank "Sergeant" had same insignia but no sword/knot). It dates 1919 or later--the cut out Wound Badges were available that early. He is wearing the M1910 Feldgrau full dress uniform, which is quite unusual, since few enlisted men purchased one during the war--they were not issue uniforms.

Although he is wearing the Prussian type pilot's badge, from his cap cockade he is NOT a Prussian. It is hard to deduce colors from a black and white photo like this--particularly since he is only wearing Prussian awards. He could be a Saxon, or from Baden.

[eric]

Are you sure it is definitely a Prussian badge? My feeble eyes tell me it could very well be a Bavarian badge.

[eric]

Are you sure it is definitely a Prussian badge? My feeble eyes tell me it could very well be a Bavarian badge.

[Chris Ailsby]

I also think this could well be a Bavarian pilots badge.

[Rick Research]

I hope you guys aren't up for having your drivers' licenses renewed in the immediate future--

The distinctive "church steeple and roof" angles and triple "tablet" front of the crown of Charlemagne, and the two shaded depressions formed by the central arch upright all fit the Reichskrone, not the turnip shaped Bavarian one with five arches that would make four narrow dark stripes, not give these two distinct triangular dark spots.

If you look at any black and white illustrations or photos of the two types of flying badges, you will see that the rounded Bavarian crown's arches fill up the top span, resulting in what looks like 4 cat or bear claws pointing up. The Reichskrone has only the cap between the straight side arches and the tablets head-band, producing the two "eyes" or dimples as seen here.

No night driving for you until further notice!!

The Chief Inspector of Blurs and Smudges

[ 06 October 2001: Message edited by: Rick Lundstrom ]

[Eric Queen]

Thanks Rick and everyone for the information. I really appreciate it.

EQ

[Eric Queen]

Rick,

Thanks for the email. I have tried to take a look at this stamp on the photo and this is what I was able to make out.

Its an oval stamp as follows:

Top: ATEI FR
Middle: WAGNER ( must be name of photographer I guess )
Bottom: GLEIWIT 4

Hope this helps.

Eric

[Rick Research]

Aha! Atelier Wagner in GLEIWITZ, Upper Silesia--now Gliwice, Poland.

[ 06 October 2001: Message edited by: Rick Lundstrom ]

[eric]

OK OK OK!
I consider myself corrected! What happened to the pic? It won't come up anymore...

[Rick Research]

Omigawd! It's worse than I thought! No more booze for you any more, either!

[eric]

WIERD!!
Now I CAN see it! Rick is right--I'm cut off!!!