Question for the WW1 German Militaria Collectors

[floriskok]

3-4

[floriskok]

I just won the boots on ebay so I hope they are OK!

[floriskok]

As promised here are some pictures of the WW1 stuff I got so far!

Hope you guys like it as much as I do!

[Spanish Freiwillige]

Nice set up so far...!!!

[Chip M]

Hi,

Get the poor guy some pants! I'll loan you some issue Unterhosen, but just get something on him!

Oh yes, "Deckel nach rechts". That's the rule for the Kochgeschirr on the backpack.

Regards,
Chip

[Chip M]

I forgot to mention the boots. There are several things to look for besides the side seam. Side seam boots were made at least up until the late 1930s, so it is only one attribute to look at. The second thing is the toe. Most wartime boots tapered down from the instep (top of the foot) to the toe. Rounded or molded toes, tend to be postwar. I've seen some late war photos that show boots with rounded toes, but I think that was the exception, possibly even a sign of a private purchase boot.

Next, look at the soles. Metal toe taps are definitely postwar. Yours have been re-soled, so there is nothing to learn from that, but generally, markings (if they are on the bottom) are under the hobnails on the sole (my pair has the size "30" and the corps "XII 16". There also can be marks on the underside of the arch, just in front of the heel. Mine have what appears to be a Garnitur number "I". Third Reich boots tend to have RB numbers stamped inside the shaft of the boot at the top.

So, all that said, I think your boots will look fine with your display. I really see no reason why thy can't be identified as WWI era.

Chip

[C. Roelens]

Hi,

Get the poor guy some pants! I'll loan you some issue Unterhosen, but just get something on him!

Oh yes, "Deckel nach rechts". That's the rule for the Kochgeschirr on the backpack.

Regards,
Chip

... I was thinking the same thing. Get some mud on that grunt, or something.

[floriskok]

Hi,

Get the poor guy some pants! I'll loan you some issue Unterhosen, but just get something on him!

Oh yes, "Deckel nach rechts". That's the rule for the Kochgeschirr on the backpack.

Regards,
Chip

Thanks for the tip regarding the Mess kit Chip!

Well, I'll send you my address for a greatcoat, boots and M16 helmet!

I cancelled the boots because I rather have a pair with hobnails
but thanks for the tips, now I know what to look for! And by the
way, WW2 era boots rarely have markings. I have 8 pairs or
something and none of them are marked but all of them are perfectly
fine with hobnails and everything.

[Chip M]

And by the
way, WW2 era boots rarely have markings. I have 8 pairs or
something and none of them are marked but all of them are perfectly
fine with hobnails and everything.

Floris,

I was basing my statement on the one pair of WWII boots that I have, which do have RB numbers where I indicated. So, my experience is small and I defer to you regarding anything WWII.

Chip

[floriskok]

Floris,

I was basing my statement on the one pair of WWII boots that I have, which do have RB numbers where I indicated. So, my experience is small and I defer to you regarding anything WWII.

Chip

Hi Chip, no problem mate! Of course there are a lot of WW2 era boots around with
size markings on the sides of the shafts (not RBN) but these tend to go very expensive
based on the markings.

[floriskok]

Just bought this nice M1909 Patronentasche still in nice brown / undied colour.
Nice copper parts and marked BRESLAU 1916. Now I need to find a matching
second one!

What do you think?

[Chip M]

Nice example! The maker is F.W. Rosenbaum.

Chip

[120rir]

Nice box indeed. You probably won't have too much trouble finding one to match in terms of color and condition. I'm not saying it will be "easy" but if you prowl around enough on the internet and be patient you'll find one.

Getting back to WWI jackboots, in my 20 years of collecting WWI German, I've never seen a period photo showing a steel toe tap or plate. Wouldn't you know it just the other day I saw one! However, I think it's probably still a really good rule-of-thumb that toe taps = post-war. What does everyone else think? Chip?

[Chip M]

Brian,

As I mention in a post above, metal toe taps are generally a bad sign. I do suppose that left over WWI era boots could have been "upgraded" with these at some later date. Unlike you, I have never seen taps being worn in wartime photos. You would have thought, however, with the shortages of leather during WWI, someone would have thought of using these as a conservation measure.

Chip

[floriskok]

Hello guys, it has been a while since I've shown you guys something here so here
you go. I found some nice stuff again for sale and I'dd like to hear what you think
about it before I buy the stuff. A nice 1918 dated gasmask in almost mint condition
and a pair of jackboots. I skipped the other pair shown previously here in this
thread. I think this pair has been resoled at some point but do you think it's an
original WW1 era German pair of boots or not?

Thanks again in advance for your help guys!