Belgian Congo

[nordsith]

Hi

I will present items of the belgian congo and katanga,
hoping to make you discover a less known thema

first I present you a Fez of the " force publique " dated from 1952

a few words about the " force publique "

the " force publique " sarted in 1885 with belgian officier ( from the belgian army and mercenaries ). The force publique was created to defend the territory and fights again the slaves traders.
the " force publique " evolved over the years and played a military and police role to ensure the security of the country.
during the first war, they fight against german empire in Camerou, Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzanie.
during the second war, they fight in Abyssinia, Nigeria , Middel East ( Egypt and Palestin ), and Birmania
It ends with the independence of the Belgian Congo.

@+ nordsith

[nordsith]

hi

belgian medals of the " abyssina campaign " in 1941

@+,

[irish]

Very interesting. The Force Publique Fez is wonderful.... an interesting chapter in history. Thanks for posting

[Gordon Craig]

nordsmith,

Great Fez. Didn't know any existed in collections. Thanks for the photos especially the markings inside.

Regards,

Gordon

[nordsith]

hello,

thanks for your interest

a pith helmet of the " force publique " , ww1 area

and

a fez for the police force in the belgian congo, dated from 1957, unfortunately the ancient owner add a good cockade but it's placed too low

@+, nordsith

[nordsith]

hi

a white administration jacket with rigid black shoulderbaords for the state security service, the fodder / cord of the Order of the African Star the left shoulder

@+, nordsith

[irish]

Wonderful items,.... thanks for posting.

[nordsith]

hello

thanks for your interest

here I present a uniform of the administration in the Belgian congo

the uniform is composed by pith helmet a locally made, shorts and a saharian jacket.

the shoulderboards present on the Sahairan jacket can correspond to the territorial services or to the internal affairs service, these two services have dark green as the same service color

the various departments of the administration are identifiable by the distinctive color on their epaulettes and sometimes with a distinctive badge

the bars on the shoulderboards correspond to " a rank ", here we have an officier of 4 ° category of higher degree. The 4th category rankl includes an upper degree (2 golden bars) and a lower degree (1 golden bar)

@+, nordsith

[Gordon Craig]

nordsith,

Wonderful uniforms. There can't be very many of them available. Thanks very much for posting pictures of these rarely seen items.

Regards,

Gordon

[irish]

Indeed.... great items...

[skalphunter]

Nordsith those are awesome items.Never seen before. Lived a few years from the end of the 80ties to the beginning of the 90ties in then called Zaire what was the former Belgian Congo. Ruled at this time by Mobutu Sese Seko. To see that stuff just gets back memories on some tough times.
But really i want to congratulate you on those rare and awesome items.
Gerd

[nordsith]

hi

thanks a lot for your comments

there is plate for the pith helmet, this plate was used during the period " independant state of congo " when the congo was owned by King Leopold II from 1885 to 1908

and a visor cap from the medical service from the '50

@+, nordsith

[irish]

More amazing items. Really wonderful to see. Interesting in that the hat maker catered to the Congo market. Am I interpreting that correctly?

How long have you been building your collection? Are you located in Belgium and how do you find these rare items.
thanks
Jack

[nordsith]

hello

thanks for you interest
there were some shop in Bruxelles ( belgium ) who were specialized in stuff for the " Congo ", lot of them came from " la grande maison du congo ( the congo big's house ) and " le comptoir congolais " ( congolese counter ). I' m from belgium and I collect the " congo, katanga and mercenaries " since almost 4 years. I find the items on net net, militaria market, antiques market and among collectors., and sometimes you have to be lucky.

there is my " gendarme katangais " , maybe one my favorite " mannequin "

@+ nordsith

[nordsith]

hi

there is a uniform of a " adjudant chef " of the " force publique ", jacket model 1951

@+, nordsith