German soldiers, November 1916

[Paul B]

It's fairly easy to find studio photos from the early war period showing soldiers in M1910 tunics and covered pickelhaubes, but in my experience I've found it a little harder to find shots like this one, showing the steel helmet in wear.

These two gents from the 54th Reserve Division were photographed in November 1916, wearing M1915 tunics, a very "full" version of full service marching order, but -interestingly- no gasmask canisters. Great facial hair as well...

[Tony & Kaiser]

-interestingly- no gasmask canisters.

Could be that they have the Model 1915 Gummimask, (?) where the mask and a spare filter were carried in a cloth bag designed to be worn on the belt. It would have been on their hips and not visible in this photo. Here's mine:

http://www.kaisersbunker.com/feldgra...ment/fge08.htm

[Paul B]

Could be that they have the Model 1915 Gummimask, (?) where the mask and a spare filter were carried in a cloth bag designed to be worn on the belt. It would have been on their hips and not visible in this photo. Here's mine:

http://www.kaisersbunker.com/feldgra...ment/fge08.htm

Tony

Very good point actually. Interestingly, the link to your site provides possibly the only good and clear reference I've seen to this piece of kit on the web. A friend of mine here in the North-East has an original, but many collectors never get to see a real example of this item (even the Imperial War Museum doesn't currently have one on display) -unfortunate, as -as I'm sure you know- the gas mask bag has been reproduced quite a bit in recent years.

Have you ever come across a photo or other period reference showing one of the early improvised gasmask containers? On the Belgian website "Before 1919..." there was a photo of this being worn, and I've seen an existing example in the Green Howards regimental museum in Yorkshire. Essentially they were constructed by joining together the respective tins that housed the mask and filter, giving a sort of mismatched "stepped" appearance.

And my girlfriend says I'm obsessive about this hobby.....

All the best

Paul.

[Tony & Kaiser]

Have you ever come across a photo or other period reference showing one of the early improvised gasmask containers?
Paul.

Paul, I don't know what you mean; "improvised gasmask containers".


If you want a photo from "Before 1919..." e-mail him. His name is Johan and he seems to be a nice fellow and willing to help out. Tony

[Frosch]

If you want to get ahead, get a hat ...

This snub-nosed Landsturm animal seems to have enemies in the company stores, or an unusually shaped head. Either way, his helmet doesn't fit well.

Nice cuffs though ...

[Frosch]

Nice lid, shame about the buckle ...

This NCO has a much better fitting helmet.

How many dented Imperial buckles have you passed on because you wanted a "nice" one? Dented buckles are just as authentic, as this photo shows.

[Frosch]

Hirsute Landsturm

Nice cuffs again and a stiff upper lip.

[Brian S]

You've got some great character studies.

[Frosch]

Early gas mask bag

The shoulder straps on the original print suggest that this soldier is from IR 76. He is wearing full kit including the early gas mask bag for this posed Ausmarsch shot.

[Frosch]

Wearing variant

Judging by the state of his tunic and gas mask worn in the ready position, this soldier may have been close to or recently in the front line.

[Frosch]

Sartorial elegance

And finally, a nice example of a reasonably well-fitting and clean Bluse with a matching helmet.