unit identification

[Don D.]

Rick, as requested, here is my ek 1 box. Hope this helps.
Don

[Don D.]

and the cross

Rick, as requested, here is my ek 1 box. Hope this helps.
Don

and the cross/case

[Don D.]

back of cross

and the back
mm KO

[Rick Research]

Ah! Light dawns! I don't think that is a "3" after the "K."-- which would make no sense...

I think that is simply supposed to be the typical German "J." form of "I." for 2nd Co.-I.R. 180.

Of course, if the mid-squiggle went the OTHER way, it could have been an "E." for Ersatz, but then I'd expect a "B." for Battalion in there too.

Inf Rgt 180 did not have a Reserve or Landwehr formation that also used their number, so it can only mean the regular Württemberg regiment.

Oh, for a NAME!!!

[Don D.]

Thanks, and don't worry. You won't see this baby on ebay.
Don

ps- did I say thanks?

[Rick Research]

[Don D.]

I see our buddy has been suspended.

[Don D.]

Rick, could this be the info you required?

Sometimes the answer to your question is closer than you think.
Perhaps on the other side of the box.

I probably saw this when I bought the thing but it has been sitting in a drawer ever since.

Is this the owner's name?

[Rick Research]

Always look on the bottom!!!!

"V.Feldwbl. Linck Wilh 2./180 I. Rgt. 1917"

I looked for Vizefeldwebel Wilhelm Linck in my "Stuttgart's War Dead 1914-1918" and he wasn't in there. (= 1/8 of all WW1 casualties for Württemberg)

But you do indeed now have a name, rank, and company! The regimental history should at least tell if he survived or not.

Unless he was a reserve officer candidate, he would have been a career NCO with 6 to 8 years service, so say born circa 1890.

[Tony & Kaiser]

I probably saw this when I bought the thing but it has been sitting in a drawer ever since. Is this the owner's name?

Gee Don, you didn't <b>notice</b> the name on the bottom? Beautiful cross! No maker by the looks of it? And every day at work, I mumble your Rolf Steiner quote when I'm dealing with the Captains at work. Tony http://www.kaisersbunker.com/

[Don D.]

The cross is marked KO. I have it displayed in a case and the box is kept in a drawer.

Yeah, I feel a little dumb.

[Tony & Kaiser]

Yeah, I feel a little dumb.

Naaaaa......that's just not looking at something for a while. We all do that. I'll give you an example of not thinking. I once looked at a blade marked "Rost frei" and commented that "I did not know this company" (keep in mind I speak reasonable German). It was then pointed out to me that it means "rust free".

[Don D.]

I pull a boner like that every now and then myself.

Rick, thanks again. you are the man!