More on the 1911 Ammunition Pouch...

In my last post I lectured on a bit on the 1911 pattern ammunition pouch so now I want to apply this to creating your impression. So where to buy a set?

This is an item would be no doubt overlooked for reproduction purposes but fortunately for us, the same pattern was adopted for army-wide use by the German Army prior to WWII and was used throughout the entire conflict. Also, interestingly enough, the Luftwaffe used the brown pattern during the early part of the war and that has been reproduced along with the Army version which comes in black.

Right now, the best source is At the Front and I recommend the brown color. It can be darkened up further if need be. 

The version in black is also all right but it limits your impression options somewhat. The price is reasonable and for our purposes, the lack of manufacturer's marks is a good thing (someday we may have our own made up).

The 1911 Ammunition Pouch - Some Thoughts

Cavalry in the German Army were issued the 1911 pattern ammunition pouch in sets of two. Unlike the infantry pattern that held 60 cartridges in five-round stripper clips, the cavalry pattern held 30 cartridges. Like almost all leather equipment, the 1911 pattern ammunition pouch was originally manufactured in a light honey-brown color that was fairly conspicuous on the battlefield. In response to this problem, in March 1915 the Prussian War Ministry issued an order directly that all leather equipment was to be "blackened". The Bavarian War Ministry did not issue a similar order until March 1916.

Blackening was usually done with either shoe polish, dye, or even motor oil on occasion. It appears that the blackening order was carried out somewhat unevenly and in some instances even ignored- it pretty much was subject to the whim/interest of the local commanders and it would appear that some were fairly lax in this regard. Also, from the evidence, it does not appear that the leather was actually dyed black when manufactured and there are examples made in 1918 that are a medium brown. Most surviving examples appear to be dark brown which would suggest some fading over time.

An excellent example of a 1911 patter ammunition pouch that was "blackened" and later faded a bit with age.

An example of the 1911 pattern ammunition pouch that was manufactured in 1918. Note that this is in a medium brown.

Rear View

Manufacture Date.

Corp that initially issued the pouch.

A pair of the 1911 pattern ammunition pouches made c. 1915.

Rear View

It's difficult to make out the exact manufacture year here. The left one looks like 1917.

Bottom View

From the issue stamps, it appears that this set of pouches were issued in 1915 to the 8 Kurassier Regiment.

And for Some More Cavalry Humor...

And just to liven up and otherwise rainy day...

"Through thick and thin."

When there's no enemy to charge, the local barnyard animals will have to do. Note the one riderless horse running off on the left.

The Canteen/Die Feldflasche, Part 2

OK, so now that one has seen many pictures and illustrations of canteens, how does this apply to obtaining a canteen for one's living history impression. Your basic choices are reproductions or refurbished originals. Both have their good and bad points.

The easiest way to go, and the one that I strongly recommend for unit members, is to obtain a reproduction 1907 pattern. This will allow you to do either early war or late war with no issued. Currently, the 1907 pattern is being reproduced and can be obtained from Hessen Antique. for $79.99. It's not a bad canteen but I have heard that some of them had problems with leaks from poorly welded seams. Hopefully they've worked out this problem. I've obtained one from Hessen and one from Schipperfabrik (when they were selling them) and have used both with no problems. I suspect that they were both using the same supplier.

Reproduction 1907 Canteen - Front View

Reproduction 1907 Canteen - Rear View
Note the identification markings for the 2 Chevauleger

However, if you want to have a refurbished original, these are also possible but will require a lot of work. Also you to realize that you're dealing with items that are now about 100 years old and they can be seriously cruddy. The later ones made of tinned sheet steel are usually severely rusted out and usually have holes. Obtaining a good candidate for refurbishing can be a lengthy process- the're out there on eBay but you have to look carefully and even then, it can be a crap shoot.

Overall, the better candidates for refurbishing are the earlier 1907 aluminum models and they're a lot easier to clean out. The method I have used for cleaning out canteens is to:

1) First wash out completely with hot water and bleach. You may have to do this several times to remove any loose crud.

2) Get coarse gravel/sand and fill about a quarter of the canteen with it. Add water until you've made a slurry mix and then shake vigorously for a minute or two and then empty. You may have to do this a few times. It's a good idea to rinse out between gravel/sand sessions. When there's no more loosed up crud falling out, you should be good. It would also be a good idea to check out the interior with a penlight or similar.

3) Rinse out again with bleach and hot water. Make sure there's no more crud coming out.

4) Rinse out again with a mix of white vinegar and water.

5) Let the canteen air dry.

1915/17 Pattern Canteen - Front View
This canteen was refurbished by a member of IR23.

1915/17 Pattern Canteen - Rear View
Note the minimal leather "harness".

The canteen should now be usable. Optionally, you can add a layer of melted Beeswax. One of the hardest parts is refurbishing the stopper and this will require replacing the cork. I haven't done this myself but there are a couple of people who do this work. Also, you will need a new leather harness, this is something you will either have to do yourself or find someone to do for you (if you're interested, please contact me for details.)

The Canteen/Die Feldflasche, Part 1

This is another post in a continuing series on the uniforms and equipment of the Chevauleger. The topic this time concerns the humble canteen or Feldflasche. Interestingly enough, although the canteen had been standard issue for each German soldier prior to 1914, that was not the case for the cavalry for some inexplicable (as of yet) reason. It wasn't until September 14, 1914 that the issue of canteens to the cavalry was made. Initially, a modified version of the the standard 1907 pattern canteen with a shoulder strap was issued. This was similar to what was issued to the field artillery. Later on, the cavalry was issued with the same model issued to all other branches of the German Army.

The "cavalry" pattern canteen. Basically a modified 1907 infantry model, this was issued to the cavalry for a short time period. Pictures of soldiers wearing these are very rare and when they are encountered, the canteen is usually blocked by an arms or other piece of equipment. The solider in this picture is probably a dragoon. 

Another view out of Kraus. Nos. 8 and 9 are "cavalry" canteens.

Hussar with the standard pattern canteen.

 Below are some close-up pictures of the prewar 1907 pattern canteen and later 1915 and 1917 pattern wartime models. The 1907 pattern was made of aluminum with a screw-on top. In June 1915, a new pattern was introduced, the 1915 pattern, which was made from steel that was tin plated on both sides. A cork stopper was used rather than a machined screw-top. Finally, in 1916, the 1917 pattern was introduced which was made from tin plated steel that was only plated on the inside while the outside was an enameled coating. Also, the straps were modified so that less leather was used. Finally, to save on steel, experiments were made using glass but the war ended before this could be initiated on a mass scale.

1907 pattern canteen

Views of the 1907 pattern canteen

Evolution of the canteen, first with the 1915 and then 1917 patterns. 

1915 Pattern Canteen

More Recreated Views

Here are some pictures that were taken of me at a recent photoshoot. They illustrate the various uniforms the 2 Chevauleger wore during the First World War.

Transitional uniform c. 1916. The simple Bluse was coming into use although I still retain my prewar private purchase cap and sword belft.

2 Chevauleger per the 1916 regulations with shoulder boards reflecting the 1916 uniform regulations of Orangerot and Gruen.

Taking a break,,,

The Kar98A Carbine

Here is some basic information on the 2 Chevauelger's issue weapon, the Kar98A. I am not exactly sure of the original source but it provides a good "once-over" on the subject.

 

Kar98a - Left Side



Kar98a - Right Side

Living History - Part 1

The term "living history" is possibly one of the most abused in the English language. Living history has been used to explain everything ranging from painstaking recreations of a particular time and place to just an excuse to shoot off guns and blow things up (busting caps and burning powder). Often, we simply use it as an excuse for dressing up in old time clothes and little else. On the flip side, there are those who go the whole route and recreating an entire lifestyle around recreating a past period. Living history covers a multitude of activities ranging in all levels of intensity and there are as many versions of it as there are people engaged in it. Finally, if nothing else, the term gives respectability to what would otherwise be called "reenacting" or more derogatory, play-acting.

For me, living history allows one to get a feel for what things might have been like during the years 1914-18. Now by no means is this a complete experience and it's lacking many of the basic elements of the First World War like getting killed or maimed, disease, et al. Also, unlike the people we are purporting to represent, we get to go home at the end of the weekend. So yes, it's not a perfect recreation and nor can it ever be (nor should it be). All we can do is attempt to get a slice of the wartime experience and hopefully learn something from that.

Often termed "experimental archaeology" by academics, living history allows one to gain to greater insights into an historical period. However, for it to really work, the individual must also have done background research, reading various histories and personal accounts as well as having a working knowledge of the material. Many people get so hung up on the material culture to the exclusion of all else and while they may know everything about a certain uniform or weapon, they haven't any idea as to why those people were fighting or the society/environment that they came from. It's a "total" experience that requires preparation and one is never "complete" or "done"- there's always something more to learn and anyone who says that they've "got it" is either lying or simply ignorant.

For me, living history is motivated by a desire for personal experience, learning, and growth, not for the benefit of others (although this might occur as a by-product), which is why I personally dislike public events. I recognize the need for them as public relations and recruiting opportunities but not as an end in itself. Also, I detest having to perform for the public, like some animal in a circus. Unfortunately, this is all too prevalent in some historic eras, most notably American Civil War and Napoleonic. The best living history is well away from any public.

Other people will have a different take on this and some do this almost solely to educate the public. While it's  a laudable goal, I personally think it's a waste of time because of having to complete with the all-encompassing nature of modern media combined with revisionist histories that attempt to superimpose modern 21st Centuries sensibilities on past events, something that has no relevance and is not particularly useful.

That said, there's still a lot of territory to cover out there and I hope to be able to continue on my journey to discover more about the First World War and the role of cavalry such as the 2 Chevauleger.

Horrido!

Lance Training (Die Lanze) - Lehrvideo des Deutschen Kavallerieverbands zu Lanzenuebungen

Recently, I came accross this instructional video on using the lance, reconstructed from period manuals. Although it's in German, I can still make out some of it and it's something that I would live to try one day. Enjoy!

On Horseback - Some Recreated Views

Since it has been a long time since I have gotten pictures of myself in uniform on horseback, I thought that I would do so. Please note that the saddle and tack are far from correct and that's an area that I'm still working on. Also, I could not get access to a lance so I had to do without. Enjoy!

A little goofing around. I tried to get Max to wear the Stahlhelm but he wouldn't go for it.

Casual riding with only a riding crop for "protection".

Campaign uniform

Taking aim with my Reichsrevolver

Trinkbecher/Canteen Cup

Although each soldier in the German Army was issued with a canteen and drinking cup, the cavalry was the one exception and it wasn't until September/October 1914 until canteens and drinking cups were issued to the cavalry (why the cavalry was never issued with these items in the first place remains a bit of a mystery and defies common sense). The 1894 pattern Trinkbecher or canteen cup issued in 1914 was initially made of aluminum and it held roughly 1/4 liter of liquid. It's incredibly small and resembles more of a pharmaceutical cup for measuring medicine. Later, on June 10, 1915, the Prussian War Ministry ordered that the cup be manufactured of sheet steel. The Bavarian War Ministry followed suit on July 1, 1915. This new pattern cup was eventually introduced in March 1916 as initial stocks of the 1894 pattern were used up.

Below are some illustrations of the original cup along with the 1916 pattern. The original cup was quite elaborate with two folding handles while the 1915 pattern has only two parts: the cup itself and a small fixed handle that was welded on. These cups were usually carried either attached to the canteen or breadbag in some way or in the breadbag itself.

The two models of Trinkbechers, 1894 and 1916

The 1894 pattern Trinkbecher, front and back views.

1916 Trinkbecher, side view

1916 Trinkbecher, bottom view

View of the 1916 pattern Trinkbecher. This one is in very good condition, usually they have a large amount of chipping and rust.

Great War Historical Society East Front Battle Event - September 26, 2015

I am happy to announce that the Great War Historical Society's East Front Event has been scheduled for September 26, 2015. While this may be far away, time as a way of rushing fast and before you know it...there you are!

This is an attempt to introduce something new to the world of WWI reenacting and demonstrate that there was more to the conflict that the usual stereotypical Western Front. In fact, it could be argued that the Eastern Front had a profound impact on the course of the war in that it was a constant distraction for the Germans, drawing off troops and other resources from the Western Front. Moreover, having to constantly come to the rescue of their Austro-Hungarian allies also acted as a drain on German resources. At the same time, of all the combatants, the Russians offered the best chance for Germany to achieve a victory because of the weaknesses of their military machine. As events were to prove, the Germans came very close to winning the war by successfully knocking out Russia by 1917. Although it's subject to speculation, had Germany defeated Russia in 1916, it might have afforded them enough time to turn their forces westward before the Americans had a chance to intervene in a meaningful way. Also, it would have given the Germany a better opportunity to organize and utilize the grain supplies of the Ukraine to feed a starving Germany.

In any event, this represents a new endeavor and right now we are once again envisioning a one-day event with fighting followed by an informal get-together at the end of the day for food and drink. Assembling a Russian impression is fairly easy to do and won't break the bank and the same goes for an Austro-Hungarian impression. German impressions are a little more tricky but it's still attainable. For further informaition, please click HERE.

Below are some pictures from our last event in 2013:

Chevauleger Oskar Landschultz

Austro-Hungarian Position



"Peace" conference at the end of the day.

Armistice Day Redux

The First World War killed or maimed untold millions. It is estimated that almost as many horses were also killed or maimed during the conflict. Below is a picture that captures this.



British Draft Horse, 1916. His companion had just been killed by shrapnell.

Armistice Day

At 11 am on this day in 1918, the guns fell silent on the Western Front and effectively the war was over. Although a formal peace treaty remained to be made, this effectively ended the fighting and was greeted as a relief by all the combatants. Much had changed during the war and for the Germans, the Armistice signaled the start of a new era where the certainties of the Kaiserzeit no longer existed.

Wracked by mass starvation, social disintegration, revolution, and economic turmoil, Germany was a broken country and the veterans of the war had little to look forward to. In contrast to the well planned and executed mobilization of troops in 1914, the withdrawal of the German Army from occupied France, Belgium, and Luxembourg was much more chaotic as German formations made their way back to the German border. With the collapse of the monarchy, many troop contingents conspicuously flew the flags of their home territory such as Bavaria.

While fairly well organized while travelling through the occupied territories, the situation became chaotic once the troops entered into Germany proper and in many cases, formations simply melted away, soldiers deserting and in many cases taking along their weapons. For the 2 Chevauleger, the history of its demobilization is relatively unknown but its reasonable to believe that elements of the regiment eventually made it back to their home station in Regensburg. The fate of the horses is also obscure although given the rampant food shortages and a lack of fodder, many of the horses probably wound up slaughtered for food.

Along with the Kaiser, the Bavarian monarchy also collapsed with King Ludwig III with the King fleeing Munich on November 7, 1918 with the outbreak of revolution. On November 13, 1918, the King issued the Anifer Erklärung, a proclamation releasing all Bavarian officials and military personnel from their oath to the King. However, interestingly enough, King Ludwig III never issued a formal abdication and in theory, the throne of Bavaria is still open.

The Anifer Erklarung - From the Bavarian State Archives.