He gave me his pledge pin....

[Dave Mosher]

Here is an interesting photo of a etatsmassige feldwebel (regimental sgt major) and two vizefeldwebels. At first I thought they were bavarians by looking at the cap cockades and the "south-style" ribbon bars, but I noticed that the bluse collar is different from the tunic and no bavarian hoheits-borte around the collar edge. But what's really interesting are the unauthorized collar pins on two of these chaps. I thought it might be some austrian pin, but I couldn't match it. Any thoughts on what it is? Also, the picture is dated June 1918.

Dave

[Dave Mosher]

pledge pins cont'd

Here's a close-up of the pin...

[kaisertreu]

Dave,
This looks very much like the 11 Bavarian Infantry Division badge.
Cheers,
Ian

[kaisertreu]

Dave,
Sorry I should have added this in my previous post.
The badge is in the shape of a shield with an inner border similar to that found on Iron Crosses. Inside this border there are two bust profiles (one of the Bavarian King (?) and the other of Kaiser Wilhelm). Immediately below the busts is the raised inscription (on three lines):
WELTKRIEG.
11. BAYR.INF.
DIV.
On the reverse is the makers name 'Deschler u. Sohn Munchen 9'.
I know of two other Bavarian badges, (8 Bavarian Reserve Infantry Division and 8 Bavarian Reserve Artillery Regiment), anyone know of others?
Ian

[Glenn2438]

Rsm

It is a mystery to me how the business of equating the etatsmäßige Feldwebel to a Regimental Sergeant Major arises. The most senior appointment for an Imperial line NCO was that of a Company Sergeant Major. All four, five (or even six in Jäger battalions) company sergeants Major in a battalion sized unit were Etatsmäßig. A look at any table of organisation for an imperial unit will confirm this. See Führer durch Heer und Flotte 1914 for a comprehensive overview of which ranks were on the establishment of any unit.

There is a particularly nice photo of the FIVE etatsmäßige Wachtmeister of the Saxon Karabiner-Regiment all complete with the double cuff ring on page 12 of "Die Uniformen der königlich Sächsischen Armee 1867-1918" by Wolfgang Friedrich.

The Vizefeldwebel was normally employed as a platoon commander/sergeant.

Regards
Glenn

[Dave Mosher]

Ian,

Thanks for the info.

Glenn,

My mistake on company vs regimental sgt major. Since these boys are most likely bavarians, any thoughts on all three wearing non-bavarian bluses?

Dave

[Glenn2438]

Borte

Dave,

I don't attach any real significance to the fact at this late stage in the war they are not wearing Bavarian Kennzeichenborte. I doubt whether it was ever universally worn on ALL uniforms and already by December 1917 was ordered worn in reduced form only on the leading edge of the collar.

I agree with Ian's identification of the 11th Bavarian Infantry Division commemorative collar badge. It was worn unofficially by all members of the division, permission for its wear having been rejected by the Bavarian Ministry of War.

I think what is of particular interest also in this very nice photo is the wear of the Litewka chevrons by the Feldwebel.

Regards
Glenn