WW1 Austrian Kappenabzeichen Help Please

[Chris Lee]

Guys,
I just went through my collection and have decided to part with these cap badges but have absolutely no clue as to their value. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for any help!!!

[Chris Lee]

pins

Anyone??

[Don D.]

Hi Chris. I see these all the time on ebay.de so you might watch there. I don't really know much about them either. Can you explain why the Austrian's were so into these things? I'm sure it must be interesting, just out of my normal area.

[Chris Lee]

cap pins

Don,
All I know is they wore them on their caps. Thanks

[HuD]

Hello Chris, Don,

i believe one of the main reasons fo the Austrians to sell those little badges was to finance the invalid, wounded and veterans associations.
Plus i would say also very strong patriotic sense of membership and loyalty to the unit, the country and the emperor.
It was very common at the time, you can see that in almost all the period pictures that most of the Austrian soldiers were used to wear it the cap but also on the pocket/jacket depending from the dimension of the badge.

The design of some of the nicer kappenabzeichen are directly taken from beautiful paintings of the war artists of the time and imo are very nice indeed. That's about it, hope it was helpful.

Regarding the small collection you have there, imo some very common pieces, mostly Armee and patriotic badges, maybe just a couple of them are more interesting.. the zincker Kriegsmarine and the Offensive Gegen Italien, but i am afraid not big deal.

All the best,
Stefano

[Don D.]

Thanks. I had always wondered another their purpose.

[stross]

Stefano, thanks for the great answer to a question I've had for a while too!

[foersterBerlin]

Hi Chris,
the reasons for the introduction of these unoffical cap badges are alresdy told, and it was some kind of proud to show which campaigns or battles a soldier has fought in.
The prices range (prices at which they are sold, not the fantastic prices some dealers take) from approx 5,- Euro ( the Bismarck f.e.) and 25,- Euro for the Navy related.
There are some special collectors for these Kappenabzeichen.
Let me know if You want to get rid of them and the price. Would make a nice addition to my austrian fieldcaps.

Regards
Stefany