Imperial Schwalbennester ID

[Shawn Southern]

Gents:

Any help appreciated on identifying these Imperial period Musician's swallow's nests.

[Shawn Southern]

Reverse

[Shawn Southern]

Swallows Nests

Anyone?

[Chip M]

Sorry to say that these things are about impossible to identify. One reason is that they were used not only to denote military bandsmen, but also civil bands, like those of the Feuerwehr and police. You would have to include para-military organizations, boy scouts and veteran's groups.

All I can tell you is that they are most likely for foot troops, as the cavalry used diagonal, rather than vertical bands of braid.

Chip

[Shawn Southern]

Schwalbennester

Thanks Chip. You are right - identification of these things is difficult and every musical organization used them, including the schools. Coverage of this insignia is usually rather sparse in most reference books. The three Imperial period reference books I have, while devoting some attention to musicians, simply leave me with more questions than answers.

I do believe these are military nests. The field grey army nests used later also also have the red edging at the bottom. Mounted troops did use the diagonal vertical bars. Those nests are very scarce - I have only a single pair in my collection.

Thanks for taking a look!

Shawn

[pauke]

nests

Is the "red" edge piping the typical red imperial piping or more of a pinkish color? If you have a set of army with standard red piping how about a pic of both pairs side by side for comparison?

[Shawn Southern]

Schwalbennester

Pauke - here you go. The swallow's nest in question overlain on a standard, Third Reich Arty nest for comparison. The lower edge piping on the Imperial swallows nest is definitely red, not pink.

Shawn