Hi, I started collecting medals casually a few years ago and have recently got back into it. I found I have a War Merit Cross with Swords which I'm not sure of authenticity on.
It has no makers mark on the ring but I've read that apparently not all did. It's in quite good condition and is of the bronzed type. Were copies more commonly this type or moreso silvered? Is there any way of telling on this medal if no maker stamps are present?

Some minor things I've noticed is the "1" of "1939" has no feet, something which the earlier crosses seemingly had. The leaf pattern around the centre isn't too well defined like on some I've seen but then not all genuine ones seem to be sharp either...

Thanks if anyone can help!

Here is one of Bob Coleman's caps in our salad years, ca. 1967.

It is an extra wear enlisted cap, but with the features of an officer's cap, i.e. a velvet band and a leather peak. Early SS caps had leather peaks, surely, but this is a later make of cap.

Where is it today?

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hi can any one help idenyfi this helmet it has the words voegels koln 1940
on the chin strap

thanks andrew

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RZM M5/Uniform Fitting

1 Tillmanns & Maier, Velbert
2 Schmole und Co., Menden
3 Brauckmann & Probsting, Ludenscheid
4 Horner & Dittermann, Wuppertal-Barmen
5 Elsas & Bocks, Wuppertal-Barmen
6 Schaeffer-Homberg G.m.b.H Wuppertal-Barmen
7 Nottebohm & Co., Ludenscheid
8 F.W. Assmann & Sohne, Ludenscheid
9 Matth. Oechsler & Sohn, Ansbach
10 Wilhelm Deus, Solingen
11 Hermann Aurich, Dresden
12 Heinrich Erhardt, Geislingen-Stg.
13 Robert Deitenbeck, Ludenscheid
14 Petzold & Maeser, Chemnitz-Borna
15 luois Witte & Co., Wuppertal-Unterbarmen
16 Schmahl & Schulz, Wuppertal-Barmen
17 Krafft und Schull, Duren
18 Wilhelm Graf, Dahle uber Altena
19 Julius Grefe G.m.b.H., Dahle uber Altena
20 Ossenberg & Co., Dahle uber Altena
22 J.D. von Hagen, Iserlohn
23 Walter Hornlein, Schwab.-Gmund
24 T.C.Lurmann G.m.b.H., Iserlohn
25 C.Th.Dicke, Ludenscheid
26 Georg Wutzer, Munchen
27 Rittinghaus & Co., Ludenscheid
28 Jul. Dinnedier Nachf., Ludenscheid
29 Funcke & Bruninghaus, Ludenscheid
30 Stocko-Metallwarenfabrik OHG, Wuppertal-Sonnborn
32 FritzWerner, Immelborn
33 Otto Berning & Co., Schwelm
34 Wilhelm Kamper G.m.b.H., Oberrahmede
35 Eduard Riedel, Gorlitz
36 Ebberg & Co G.m.b.H., Ludenscheid
37 Rich. Sieper & Sohne, Ludenscheid
38 Max Kamper AG., Ludenscheid
39 Herzog & Co., Luckenwalde
40 Willy Thuy, Ludenscheid
41 Friedrich Steigenberger, Unterknoringen
42 Gebruder Albert, Menden
43 August Wengeler, Ludenscheid
44 Friedrich C. Werthmann, Ludenscheid
45 Albert Winkel, Ludenscheid
46 Gebr.Baldauf Gém.b.H., Marienberg
47 Albert Eichhoff & Co., Marienheide-koln
48 Henssgen Karabinerhaken G.m.b.H., Mettmann
49 Mettalwaren-und Schnittwerkzeugfabrik, Mylau
50 J.Ernst, Lobau
51 Kurbi u. Niggeloh, Radevormwald
52 Hugo Schneider AG., Leipzig
53 Traugott Weiss G.m.b.H., Schmiedeberg
54 Lohmann & Welschehold, Meinerzhagen
55 Sebnitzer Knopffabrik Josef Koch, Sebnitz
56 Max Plumacher AG., Solingen-Weyer
57 Paul Schumacher, Ludenscheid
58 Hugo Engelmann & Co., Heiligerstadt-Eichsfeld
59 Rutting & Mertz, Ludenscheid
60 Adolphs & Ganss, Mettmann
61 K. Fr. Brahn, Furth
62 Heinrich Vogt, Pforzheim
63 Hans Schulz & Co., Oppach
64 Arthur Hotka. Munchen
65 Gebr. Wegerhoff, Ludenscheid
66 Kruck & Co., Ludenscheid
67 Coseberg & Grashoff, Kierape
68 Clemens Humann, Leipzig
69 M. Winter, Munchen
70 Ernst Conze, Ludenscheid
71 Overhoff &Cie., Ludenscheid
72 Paul Cramer & Co ., Ludenscheid
73 Gebr. Schmidt, Oberstein a. d. Nahe
74 Noelle & Hueck G.m.b.H., Ludenscheid
75 Dr. Franke & Co. KG., Ludenscheid
76 Friedrich Linden, Ludenscheid
77 Emil Vogelsang, Glauchau
78 Hilger & Co ., Stolpen
79 Gust. Rafflenbeul G.m.b.H., Schwelm
80 R.Conrad Nachf. & Co. KG., Schmiedeberg
81 August Wolf, Langenberg
82 Steinhauer & Luck, Ludenscheid
83 Bernhard Haseney, Zella-Mehlis
84 Hermann Junghanns, Beierfeld
85 Josef Puschner, Stolpen
86 Wilhelm Dietz, Lossnitz
87 Ossenberg-Engels,Iserlohn
88 M.Pickenbach, Berlin
89 Seidel & Walter, Lossnitz
90 Emil Enghofer & Fritz Schenk, Birkenfeld
91 Gebr. Hahne, Ludenscheid
92 Max Kessner, Berlin
93 Paulmann & Crone, Ludenscheid
94 R Wachtler & Lange, Mittweida
95 Franz Richter, Zschopau
96 Aufermann & Sohne, Ludenscheid
97 Nordwall, Dransfeld & Co., Menden
98 Adolf Baumeister, Ludenscheid
99 Gebr. Lutz, Weil i. Schonbuch
100 Ernst Schneider, Ludenscheid
101 Voss & Co., Hemer
102 Gebr. Gloerfeld G.m.b.H., Ludenscheid
104 Jean Neusinger, Zirndorf b. Nurnberg
105 August Enders, Oberrahmede
106 August Schulze, Berlin
107 Wetzel & Co., Essen-Werden/Ruhr
108 Hermann E. Muller, Bergneustadt
109 Hermann Unger, Lossnitz
110 Stimming & Venzlaff, Altenburg
111 Gustav Cordt, Ludenscheid
113 Gebr. Meier AG., Nurnberg
114 Hermann eauer, Schwab.-Gmund
115 Gebruder Dornbach, Ludenscheid
116 William Prym G.m.b.H, Stolberg
117 Berg & Nolte AG., Ludenscheid
118 Giesse & Schmidt, Ruhla
119 Meyer & Franke, Luckenwalde
120 Karl Bentrup, Bielefeld
121 Gust. Hahl, Pforzheim
122 Walter Simon, Dresden
123 Fridrich Wimmer, Leipzig
124 Clarfeld & Co., Hemer
125 Friedrich Keller , Oberstein a. d. Nahe
126 Peter Wilhelm Heb, Ludenscheid
127 Gustav Mossmer, Offenbach a. Main
128 Heinrich Hulter Jr., Iserlohn
129 Julius Kremp, Ludenscheid
130 Peter Seuser, Ludenscheid
131 K.F.Selter G.m.b.H., Ludenscheid
132 Ernst Scheiter, Eibenstock
133 Gebruder Lange, Ludenscheid
134 Hofe & Co., Ludenscheid
135 Reum & v.Hofe, Ludenscheid
136 Alb. Kattwinkel & Co., Ludenscheid
137 F.W. Muller Jr., Berlin
138 Wilhelm Ladwig, Goppingen
139 C.G. Hochauf, Bautzen
140 Wilh. Schroder & Co., Ludenscheid
141 Bockle & Co., Geringswalde
142 J.Brinker, Ludenscheid
143 Schmidt & Niedermeier, Nurnberg
144 Luis Keller , Oberstein/Nahe
145 Cramer & Dornbach, Ludenscheid
146 Otto Grossteinbeck, Velbert
147 Brauckmann & Rahmede, Ludenscheid
148 Bernhard Haarmann, Ludenscheid
149 M. Kutsch, Attendorn
151 G.Goseberg & Co. G.m.b.H., Dahle Uber Altena
152 Wilhelm Kolwitz , Bergedorf
153 Bohme & Hennen, Dresden
154 Tietz & Grossmann, Berlin- Neukolln
155 Stephan Merkl, Nurnberg
156 Gustav Hermann Osang, Dresden
157 Plate & Voerster, Kierspe
158 Georg Schwerin, Berlin
159 Gebr. Haggenmuller, Mindelheim
160 August Plate , Kierspe
161 Storch & Stehmann G.m.b.H., Ruhla
162 August Schiedel, Geislingen
163 Albert Winges, Trusen
164 Hillenbrand & Broer, Ludenscheid
165 W.H Teckemeyer , Herscheid
166 Albert Winkler, Ruhla
167 Otto Winkhaus, Dahle uber Altena
168 Wilhelm Mittelmann, Tonisheide
169 Jean Schobert, Nurnberg
170 Emil Oberholz, Heiligenhaus
171 Hermann Sprenger, Iserlohn
172 P.I. Badorff, Anspach
173 Josef Dullstein, Geldern
174 Kehl & Eble, Stuttgart
175 Heinrich Meeh, Wurmberg b. Pforzeim
176 Hans Widmaier , Munchen
177 Walter Heinrich Schmidt, Ludenscheid
178 Georg Bonitz, Schwarzenberg
179 Schulte & Vosswinkel, Koln- Nippes
180 E.u.M. Weustenfeld, Solingen
181 Kuppner & Co., Tonisheide
182 Brause & Co., Iserlohn
183 Julius Moser sen., Oberstein a.d. Nahe
184 Linden & Funke G.m.b.H., Iserlohn
185 Tweer & turck, Ludenscheid
186 P.C. Turck Wwe., Ludenscheid
187 J.C. Maedicke OH., Berlin
188 Jacob Werder G.m.b.H., Nurnberg
189 Walgo, Inh. Goseberg, Kierspe
190 Drees & Co., Westig
191 Fa. Max Hempel, Nurnberg
192 H.A.Erbe, Schmalkalden
193 Otto Fechler, Bersbach
194 Robert Hauschild, Pforzheim
195 Otto Klammer, Pforzheim
196 Moeller & Schroeder, Offenbach a . Main
197 Hermann Schanzlin, Pforzheim
198 Karl Hensler, Pforzheim
199 Fritz Kohm, Pforzheim
200 Wilhelm Borgas, Eutingen
201 Zieh-, Press-und Stanzwerk G.m.b.H.,Zwintschona b. Halle a. d. S
202 Eduard Mutschelknauss Pforzheim
203 Robert Tummler, Dobeln
204 A.Fries, Beuster & Schild, Berlin- Hohenshonhausen
205 Deschler & Sohn, Munchen
206 Ferdinand Wagner, Pforzheim
207 Ferdinand Hoffstatter, Bonn a. Rhein
208 Julius Maurer G.m.b.H., Oberstein a.d. Nahe
209 Gustav Brehmer, Markneukirchen
210 Hermann Klittich ,Pforzheim
211 C.H. Schafer, Pforzheim
212 Carl Poellath, Schrobenhausen
213 Wilhelm Ruthenbeck, Brendenbruch
214 Emil Juttner, Ludenscheid
215 Al. Rettenmaier, Schwab.-Gmund
216 Otto Geiger, Ludenscheid
217 Max Engelbrecht, Planegg
218 Ochs & Bonn, Hanau a. Main
219 Heinrich Muth, Hanau
220 Robert Schneider, Berlin
221 Carl Winkler, Hanau
222 Friedrich Roediger G.m.b.H.,Hanau
223 Philipp & Gustav Fest, Hanau
224 Drescher & kiefer, Hanau
225 Werner Redo, Saarlautern
226 Carl Jungermann, Ludenscheid
227 Gebr. Schroder, Ludenscheid
228 G.danner, Muhlhausen
229 Lehmann & Wundenberg, Hannover
230 Wilhelm Deumer, Ludenscheid
231 Walter Demmer , Ludenscheid
232 Petz & Koch , Unterreichenbach
233 F.W. Winkhaus, Dahle uber Altena
235 F.K. Vogelsang & Co., Ludenscheid
236 Arno Tempel & Co., Oppach
237 Heinrich Ritter, Esslingena. Neckar
238 Prokop, Jager & Shone, Rosenthal-Schweizermuhle
239 Ernst L. Muller, Pforzheim
240 Adler- Knopffabrik Carl Stein KG., Sohland
241 Hanseatische Silberwarenfabrik G.m.b.H., Bremen
242 Lind & Meyrer, Oberstein
243 Weiland & Sure, Ludenscheid
244 Wilh. Graf, Komm.-Ges., Dahle u. altena
245 Rud. & Karl Kraus, Solingen
246 J.E. Hammer & Sohne, Geringswalde
247 Husmert & Co., Solingen-Wall
248 Sohni, Heubach & Co., Oberstein
249 Sebnitzer Knopffabrik Jos. Koch, Sebnitz
250 Konrad Seiboth, Gablonz a. N. ( Sudetenland )
252 Matth. Salcher & Sohne AG. Wagstadl ( Sudetenland )
253 Camill Bergmann & Co., Gablonz a. N. ( Sudetenland )
254 Otto Lang, Gablonz a. N. ( Sudetenland )
255 Josef Rossler & Co.,Gablonz a. N. ( Sudetenland )
256 Ziemer & sohne, Oberstein
257 Julius Grefe KG Dahle u . Altena
258 Arno Wallpach, Salzburg
259 Gebruder Jager,Gablonz a. N. ( Sudetenland )
260 Julius Rauchfuhs, Schonwald u. Pirna ( Sudetenland )
261 Matthias Ochsler & Sohn AG., Riegersdorf b. Bodenbach ( Sudetenland
262 Augustin Hieke, Tyssa b. Bodenbach ( Sudetenland )
264 Anton Frz. Schonbach, Hellendorf u. pirna Nr. 41
265 Magnus Richter, Schwarzbach
266 Franz Bernhardt, Tyssa b. Bodenbach ( Sudetenland )
267 Gustav Kortel, Peterswald b. Bodenbach ( Sudetenland )
268 Gustav Wenzel, Nieder-Preschkau, Kr.Tetschen
269 Rudolf Fischer jr. Nixdorf ( Sudetenland )
272 Josef Feix Sohne, Gablonz a. N. ( Sudetenland )
273 Reichelmann & Co., Tellnitz b. Aussig ( Sudetenland )
274 Ewald Turch, Ludenscheid
275 Adolf Kofer, Sebnitz
276 Klein & Quenzer AG., Oberstein a.d.Nahe
277 Ernst Kubiznak, Wien
284 Schar-Smolka, Schwechat b. Wien
285 Karl Juhn & Co AG., Wien
288 Adalb. Kannglesser, Wien
289 Heinr. Ulbricht s Witwe., Wien
290 Lenkwerk Bruder Schneider AG., Wien
291 Alb. Blodicek, Wien
292 Raimund Moser, Wien
293 Bruder Eisert AG., Wien
294 Franz Weinrank, Wien
295 Ferd. Kment G.m.b.H.,Wien
296 Rudolf Menschiga, Wien
297 Josef Herzog, Wien
298 Herm. Martini, Wien
299 Andreas Unger, Wien
300 Schwertner & Cie., Eggenburg
301 Dominik Schonbaumfelds Sohn, Wien
302 William Prym, Wien
303 Rudolf Schanes, Wien
304 Phil. Turks Wwe., Wien
305 Wilhelm Pittner , Wien
306 Frank Petzl, Wien
307 Maria Schenkl, Wien
308 Karl Klecek, Wien
309 Steirische Kettenfabriken Pengg-Walenta AG., Graz
310 Otto Kogler,Wien
311 List & Hertl, Wien
312 Ad.Grohmann & Sohn, Wurbenthal (Ostsudetenland )
313 Franz Schonbach, Riegersdorf ( sudetenland )
314 Paul Bruder, Tyssa b. Bodenbach ( sudetenland )
315 Laurenz Muller, Gross-Schonau ( sudetenland )
316 Heinrich Wander, Gablonz a. N. ( sudetenland )
317 Petzold & Maeser, Chemnitz
318 Buttig & Co., Gablonz a. N. ( sudetenland )
319 Karl Schram, Brunn ( Prot. Mahren )
320 Ewald Ress , Wien
321 J.Ernst, Lobau
322 Walter & Henlein, Gablonz a. N. ( sudetenland )
323 W.Hobacher, Wien
324 Metallwarenfabrik S. Jablonski G.m.b.H., Posen
325 El-Ge, Leop. Gajduschek, Beilitz
326 Hein. Hoffmann , Inh. Karl Gurtler, Beilitz
327 Filipp Vogl, Wien
328 Treuhander der Firma L.Bromberg, Tschenstochau
329 Berth. Jager, Tyssa u. Bodenbach (sudetenlang )
330 W.Aurich, Leipe

Please notice the Hersteller number in this RZM/SS tag in a black cap.

The Hersteller: Adolf Ernst, Hannover (West oder Ost....oder Nord) but there is the additional "35" here, which I assume means the year....?

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At a French car boot sale this summer near Liseux Normandy, I was lucky enough to find this interesting and unusual German shell case that's Waffenampt marked. This cost me just 3 euro's a bargain.
The base is marked LUM.S then the usual German Eagle stamp with a tiny number. Then there's 43 (for 1943) & 1b for the shell case metal content and finally 2,5cmH. This is an unusual calibre because I thought most WW2 German ordinance is marked in mm.
Returning home and checking my reference books I could only find one reference to this calibre in German use and that was for a French 2,5cm anti tank gun that was mounted on a Panhard chassis in use by the SS called a Panzerspahwagen P204(f). Of the 190 produced most were destroyed on the Eastern Front, so very few were left by June 1944 and it was unlikely any were available for Normandy. Now from memory I thought that foreign weapons in German use had the shells marked with the first letter of the Country of origin, an example being (f) for France. But this shell is marked with an (H) so I wonder could this be for Hungary?
I’ve been unable to find out more but perhaps the collective knowledge of the forum can help identfy it for me.
The gas mask canister is just to show the scale.
Thank You.
Luckystrike

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Here is another case I picked up at the range, I don`t know what it was fired in, possibly a semi-auto that didn`t lock up ?

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Hallo gents

Because outside it turns into winter and its frezzing cold right now
i will show you my tropical 3rd pattern tunic. Gives me always a warm feeling when watching this set :D

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Allrigfht Gentlemen I have Lids but give me some time as I would like to show you my week collection ...........hopefully tomorror

I have one 1916 german no liner bad condition
one spanish (or postwar) shtalhelm
and one Luftshcuts(flack) with partial remnats of eagle and
a Hitler Youth Penant
im soory for bad spelling as I have a bad Conection
plus!......lots ot thrd rich coins!

give pics soon CHErs!!!

love to se What DIms has to say ha h ha hh. . .

Im Sorry men but i just got done watrchinfg "U571" And I am Totally Pissed" I mean there is no way a U boat comander would act that way ..........and to have such cherry men it just makes me angry!!!! !@##$$%%%^^%^&&Hallywood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!