Stahlhelm + Heer photo??

[12thPanzer]

Got this postcard sized photo today. Found it interesting that the men are wearing 3rd reich tunics and visor caps, yet half are wearing what look like StahlhelmBund Visors with 3rd reich tunics. At first I thought they were maybe reichswehr or ww1 visors, but they olnly have 1 cockade, similar to some early Stahlhelm caps. Any opinions as to why the other men are not issued 3rd reich caps? Thanks
(also some wear boots and others dont)

[karlo]

transitional period?...officers got there new caps...men have not yet? .....i think a nice pic of that time...circa 33-34?

[12thPanzer]

Very well could be a transitional period. I guess it is a large possibility since alot of stahlhelm members joined the wehrmacht. But I still want to know if those are indeed stahlhelm type visors? I think your estimate on the date is pretty close as well Karlo. Thanks for posting!
Anyone have ANY opinions?

[crowback]

Caps

The Commander and his Noncoms got caps...

transitional period?...officers got there new caps...men have not yet? .....i think a nice pic of that time...circa 33-34?

[12thPanzer]

The Commander and his Noncoms got caps...

haha I know, the NCOs and the officer got em no problem!

[bsmith56]

What is that thing stuffed halfway in the Feldwebels unbuttoned tunic?

[crowback]

Der Spiess

What is that thing stuffed halfway in the Feldwebels unbuttoned tunic?

Read this ---

http://moebius.freehostia.com/hauptfeldwebel.htm

[12thPanzer]

Very Informative Crow!! I had forgotten what those 2 cuff stripes were called. It also explains the case inside the tunic as seen on many photos. That is probably the reason why he is not wearing the high jack boots too! Im still not sure why only half of em have 3rd reich caps, but who knows? Can anyone say if these are "der stahlhelm" visors they are wearing?? many thanks to those who have posted!

[Sergeant 08]

Very Informative Crow!! I had forgotten what those 2 cuff stripes were called. It also explains the case inside the tunic as seen on many photos. That is probably the reason why he is not wearing the high jack boots too! Im still not sure why only half of em have 3rd reich caps, but who knows? Can anyone say if these are "der stahlhelm" visors they are wearing?? many thanks to those who have posted!

The caps have no relation to "Der Stahlhelm". The caps are typical Reichswehr caps, which were worn after ww1.

Look here:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=503027

[12thPanzer]

I always thought Reichswehr caps had 2 cockades, that is why I even started looking for other ideas in the first place. My bad. So it makes sense that this photo shows a transitional period before Everyone was issued 3rd reich caps then I guess. Thanks for the link Seargent08, good to see the different variations of uniforms/caps.

[hawkeye 1]

Hi Bill,

do you have any idea what number is seen on the shoulder boards?
Could it be a 2? If so this could be the Stab of Kraftfahr- Abteilung 2 in Schwerin, in about 1932-1934 but just an idea.
I think I can identify one of the noncoms.

[12thPanzer]

Hi Bill,

do you have any idea what number is seen on the shoulder boards?
Could it be a 2? If so this could be the Stab of Kraftfahr- Abteilung 2 in Schwerin, in about 1932-1934 but just an idea.
I think I can identify one of the noncoms.

Yes, I actually think you are correct about the "2". Ive been lookin at it under magnification and it looks more like a 2 than anything else. At first I thought there was another number beside the 2, but it is just the style of the writing. Any info would be great and very interesting to me, thanks! I think it would be cool to able to ID them as stab of the 2nd motorised div. May I ask how you might be able to ID on of the NCOs?

[hawkeye 1]

Hi Bill,

My Grandfather joined the "Reichswehr" in April 1928. He was a noncom in the Stab 2. Kraftfahr-Abteilung from June 1932 until Juli 1934. After that date he became an Officer. This Unit was renamed in October 1935 into 12. Panzer-Abwehr Abteilung. I have a Photoalbum from his time at the 12.Pz.Abw.Abt. It is dated from 1935 - 1937. In your Picture he sits far left, front row. The pics I have fom him are when he was older, but the facial features are the same. Can't add pics here, since not an Association Member, sorry.

[12thPanzer]

A friend has told me that all of these uniforms and caps are considered Reichswehr-era. The Officers, NCOs, and NCO candidate in front row are wearing the dienstmutze while the privates wear the feldmutze. Not sure if the old style field caps were ever worn with eagles, but I do know that eagles for caps and breasts were introduced in Feb 34 and the new feild caps for EM were introduced March of 34. So im guessing this dates the photo slightly before March 34. Just an educational guess, and I could very well be off-based here.
But that would be incredible if this was an image of your grandfather. I would really love to see a photo of him. I will send u a PM. If it indeed is him, I could not keep this photo from you.

[12thPanzer]

I tried to "lighten" the image a bit to see if it brings out his facial features better.