Large-sized Police Officer Portrait. Any way to identify this Police Officer??

[DouglasDwight]

I'd like to ask the Forum members if there would be any way to identify this Officer? This is a really wonderful, large, studio portrait; great quality photography. I see the signature on the lower right corner, just below the actual photo, on the mat board, but I'm assuming that is the signature of the studio, or photographer.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance. Cheers.

[DouglasDwight]

Close-up 1

[DouglasDwight]

Close-up 2

[DouglasDwight]

Close-up 3

[Dave C.]

On the rank strap, are you able to tell if there is a pip or cypher of some other sort? Looks like something is there but not clear.

[Mil-Archive]

Typically the photographer name would be typed or printed (or stamped), if that name is written in pencil then it's the mans name.

Possibly followed by 'Kiel' as the location.

The handwriting experts on the photo forum might be able to decipher that name in the handwriting thread. Great photo !

[JoeW]

It will be tough. No distinguishing awards. All WWI save for the Hindenburgh Cross.

[DouglasDwight]

I looked very closely at the shoulder board. I can't tell if there is cypher, or just a shadow in the picture. If there is a cypher, it's unfortunately indistinguishable.

The name is in pencil. If it's the name of the man in the photo, I'm wondering if this was a presentation-type photo? Otherwise, why would one sign one's own photo? I doubt it's an autograph scenario. Especially since the signature is on the mat board.

[W.Unland]

Art prints are always signed in pencil by the artist as pencil can not be "printed" as in re-prints. I doubt the name is of the person pictured. Kiel, however; is indeed probably the place where the photo was taken and the place where the officer was assigned.

Nice looking photo, but without a staffing roster for all of the SchuPo offices in Kiel, identifying this guy may prove impossible.

William Unland

[JoeW]

Can we presume he is unmarried or did German husbands wear the wedding ring on the right hand? There were 191 Obstlts. in Nov.1941.

[JoeW]

It is even too hard to date. Wearing the Long Service places it after January 1938, but the medal bar offers no clues. All are WWI related. No post-9/1/39 awards. Don't recognize him as one of the Obstlts. that made general during the war. I give up.

[SiPo]

Can we presume he is unmarried or did German husbands wear the wedding ring on the right hand?

Yes Joe, it is not unusual to see the wedding band on the right hand. This was, and still is, a common practice in Germany.