Body Armour Question

[Paul B]

I'm looking for a good source of information on German body armour produced during WWI. I'm aware of the two distinct types -first pattern with the plain breastplate, second pattern with the pouch hooks and riflebutt plate- but have recently seen what was described as interim pattern armour, which had the hooks but no rifle plate. This got me looking in my reference books, which was when I discovered that -apart from the commonly known stuff- I didn't have any quality information on this piece of kit -not the situation you want to be in when you're considering a purchase. I've got access to original first pattern armour in a friend's collection, but what I'm really after is some feedback from you guys -basically anything about the various types, when they were introduced, fakes that you've heard of, etc- or a lead to a good reference book that can do the same. Many thanks in advance, Paul.

[JensF.]

Maybe this helps: I know from some types of body-armors which got a hook on the right side to activate the Kugelhandgranate 15. This grenade has got a wire as "pull-fuse" which could not be activated by hand.

[Paul B]

Imperial Body Armour

Many thanks for your reply Majorpayne. I've seen examples of the belt mounted cradle and hook that was used to ignite the kugelgrenate, but have never heard of a similar device on body armour. Thanks for broadening my knowledge! Regards, Paul.

[JensF.]

You have luck! I've just found a pic of this type of "Grabenpanzer" in a book. It is the hook on the right side (seen from wearer):

[Paul B]

Body Armour Picture

Thanks for posting this picture, which gives an excellent view of the type of armour we're talking about. The riflebutt support on the shoulder we suggest to me that this is the final pattern of body armour, but what's really interesting is the single hook. All the breastplates I've seen had two hooks, and I've always thought that they were used to support full ammunition pouches by hooking through the D-rings on the rear face of the pouches themselves. This set only has one hook, and this is the first time I've heard of the hook being used to ignite the kugelhandgranate -the plot thickens! Thanks for posting this, you're really increasing my interest in this type of body armour -the only down side is that I now think I'll have to break the bank to buy a set!