Cossack? Unit?

[kerryboo]

This was one of three photos which came up for auction very recently. I was lucky enough to win two, the third went for close to 70 Euros, too rich for my blood! Can anyone identify the patch sewn to this man's sleeve? It looks a bit like the vehicle tacticle sign for heavy howitzers. He is carrying a shasqua and has a home-made totenkopf on his cap, sewn in shoulder boards, but no other insignia.
Thanks for looking,
Kerry.

[kerryboo]

The second photo shows others of his unit, at least one armed in the same way. Both shasquas have the nco pattern mounts including empty bayonet rings. The sleeve patch is only just visible here.
Kerry.

[Aure]

nice photos, I think he is an ukrainian cossack

[Lionel H.]

Hi Kerryboo. I know a good french specialist from those Units. I would perhaps be glad to help you against a good scan for his ddatabase. If you want his mail, PM me. Tks ! Lionel.

[semenov]

He is carrying a shasqua and has a home-made totenkopf on his cap, sewn in shoulder boards, but no other insignia.
Thanks for looking,
Kerry.

Hi, Kerry!
His totenkopf has russian orign. It was produced for russian shock units after february revolution.
His patch for sleeve IMHO not Ukraine triedent

[kuratorium]

Saw this photo on another forum, where was also not positively identified. Looks like the same unit (maybe the same soldier?)- note the sleeve patch.

[kerryboo]

Hello all and thanks for the thoughts. The last photo is the one I found too expensive, what forum was it on? I have seen very few nice clear cossack photos which have not already appeared in a book, so it was a real pleasure for me to get these 2.
Again, thanks and please keep your observations coming,
Kerry.

[kuratorium]

The last photo is the one I found too expensive, what forum was it on?

I'm not sure, I think it was Axis History.