Edelweiss for opinion?

[Erwin]

I have this Edelweiss which I wonder if it has any military connection? Any comment would be most welcome. Thank you.

[Chip M]

I have not seen this particular pattern with the swirls on the gilt center parts, but there were many styles used during the period. I've seen at least six or seven types in period photos.

Chip

[juoneen]

I believe this is NOT an accepted military version. It is a nice pin....The edelweiss is a mythilogicly connected flower, and is revered by the swiss, Germans , and many other countries where it grows...they all have celebrated it in many different pins , and tourist trap made items for visitors to remember the flower. (so could be from anywhere) If you check the old assman catalogs..or other wartime manufacturers catalogs the types shown are much differen't but the wartime companys that made wartime misc edelweisses, are basicly the same pattern ,as He said...not this type....unless it is for a mountain trooper jager surgical hypnotist /fry cook. This could be as old, just not military IMO....anybody have any opinions to the contraire?

[Chip M]

wartime companys that made wartime misc edelweisses, are basicly the same pattern

Of course, all were Edelweiss, but I disagree that they were all basically the same. Some even had stems on the flowers. Period photos don't support this view.

Chip

[Erwin]

Thanks Guys, so I guess the jury is out on this one. I've compared it to the ones in my Assmann catologue. I wondered if the pin might be a clue, like do the known military ones have a different way of attaching to the hat? Also the colour in the photo is a bit bright, the actual colour of the petals are a lot more greyer than they appear in the photo.

Thanks for your time
Erwin

[Brian Calkins]

Erwin,
To my knowledge, all the "official" edelweiss worn on caps had no pins and were meant to be sewn on. The WWI edelweiss that you see with pin backs are designed for use on the collar of the k.k. mountain troops.

All of these other types of badges, or kappenabzeichen that have an edelweiss theme were produced by private companies for sale to troops. They had a variety of pin back styles of which yours is a common type. Unfortunately, these same companies probably produced badges for sale to civilians in the inter war years.

So unfortunately, the pin style is not going to help.

[Erwin]

Thanks Brian

I'm sure you are right, any manufacturer would be happy to sell to whoever would buy their products whether they be military or civilian.

Cheers Erwin