KM cap tally opinions

[Frank O]

I obtained these among a Cdn veteran's estate lot of souvenirs. I have no expertise in this area and would really appreciate some comments. I am a helmet collector so will likely move them along, but I would like to be able to describe them accurately. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks-frank

[Frank O]

reverse

[John R.]

Both are original, they are from the period 1914-1932, certainly not Kriegsmarine however. I will do a little research and get back to you with the exact timeframe for these muetzenbander (cap tallies).

The first is cotton, the second gold wire.

John

[Frank O]

Thanks John- Could this then be a tally from the actual airship "Hindenburg"? Do you know if the crew wore this style of insignia? I had assumed KM history because of the "seemannsschule" tally referring to their tall ship training program.

[John R.]

The script, Latin of course, is for the period prior to 1933 after which a certain type of Gothic script was established. This script existed for a few years after the war in the Bundesmarine, and can cause problems, but was changed in 1960 when a form of the Latin style was reinstituted. However, your tallies are not Kriegsmarine or post 1945. they are prior to 1933.

I do not want to guess on the Hindenburg tally, I will find out though. Will take a couple days. John

[John R.]

OK, I will guess, but I will check with the experts in Germany over the next few days.

Your Hindenburg tally should read "S.M.S. HINDENBURG", a warship, not the airship, and is from the period prior to 1919. Unfortunately, it has been cut to read only "S. HINDENBURG" .

I also think the other tally is a school tally from WWI.

Like I said, I will check.

John

[John R.]

The gold script represents technical topside personnel, silver, engineers.

For background information on SMS Hindenburg go to:

http://www.worldwar1.co.uk/battlecru...indenburg.html

[John R.]

This is what a normal Imperial tally, in gold, should look like. Tally courtesy of Jeff V.'s collection.

[John R.]

Silver Latin font, WWI. Again, Jeff's collection. John

[Frank O]

Very interesting information John- Thanks very much!