Memorabilia

Imperial German Stick Grenade Lot: Training Grenade & 1915 Stick Grenade With 'Spoon Lever' Ignitor

Features an Imperial German Early 1915 Stick Grenade With 'Spoon Lever' Ignitor (INERT).  Model 1915 offensive stick grenade with 'spoon' lever ignitor.  This is a collector / museum restoration of excavated parts, as are most all of these scarce early grenades that make their way to the market.  Excavated warhead has been repaired with auto body filler and has repainted feldgrau finish, crimped upper cap and side with metal belt hook. Replacement wood handle is fitted with an excavated and restored side mounted spoon lever ignitor mechanism, complete with the original pull ring.

Second grenade is the Model 1917 practice stick grenade with weighted metal warhead pierced with a number of holes, retaining belt hook and recently repainted red finish.  Turned wood handle has maker initials dated "9.5.17", and fuze marking "5-1/2 SEK", complete with porcelain ball pull and cord. 

$400 - $600

Inert 1917 pattern stick grenade has stamped metal warhead which retains ~30% field gray finish blending with dark patina where worn.  The instructions stencil remains mostly legible.  Turned wood handle has the fuze time promise of "5-1/2 SEK" maker's stamp and partially legible date.  Grenade has base cap as well as the ball and fuze pull.  Unlike many of these that we see, the screws holding the warhead attachment collar are original to the grenade and not later replacements or overly-boogered from the deactivation process.  Screw cap at the base opens to reveal porcelain ball pull and cord.  $400 - $500

Imperial German WWI Kugelhandgranate 1913 With Belt Carrier / Fuze Puller

Inert. Kugelhandgranate 1913 with segmented iron body has traces black painted finish blended with dark patina, base cast with maker's initial "H", top with M.15 wire pull friction fuze.  Included is an original example of the very rare belt carrier / fuze puller rigs that seem to exist in this universe only as replicas or restored excavated relics from the battlefields, with the handful of surviving originals found only in museums or very advanced collections.  This is a simple affair, a skeletonized sheet metal harness with belt clip, supporting the grenade via a metal disc riveted to a leather strap at the base, and attached via a clip and chain to the fuze wire.  When the leather strap is released, the act of withdrawing the grenade pulls the fuze, thus saving the grenadier that one extra step.  Retains traces of feldgrau finish blending with patina.  A fine addition to any WWI ordnance exhibit. 

$500 - $700

Imperial German Model 1917 Rifle Grenade Cup Launcher

Inspired by the French VB grenade launcher, the German version is 11” in length, of tooled steel with knurled cup base, split barrel socket and knurled socket locking ring, finish shows moderate pitting and is thickly covered in the now infamous Belgian museum preservative, easily removed, maker marked “DWM” and a large letter “B” proof.  A very rare trench warfare and Mauser rifle accessory.  These are not commonly encountered.. enough so that I actually recognized this piece.  After checking the consignor's account with Advance Guard Militaria, it made sense - I sold him this artifact over 25 years ago!  It was from the collection of the War Museum in Dadizelle, Belgium that we liquidated back in 1999-2000.  

$500 - $700

Five Austro-Hungarian WWI hand grenades, all inert.  Includes Schwere fragmentation hand grenade, Zylindergranate, Zeitzünder M15 grenade, and Rohr Stielhandgranate.  $600 - $800

Imperial German Early WWI Defensive Stick Grenade With 'Spoon Lever' Ignitor

INERT Model 1915 defensive stick grenade with ‘spoon’ lever ignitor.  Segmented kugelhandgranate warhead retains traces of blackened finish blending with patina.  Wooden handle is complete with side mounted pull ring and pin with spoon lever ignitor mechanism.  The thin metal of the ignitor's spoon handle shows pitting from oxidation.  Includes pull ring safety.  This is a collector / museum restoration of excavated parts, mated with a proper reproduction wood handle.  With just a handful of vanishingly rare exceptions, an excavated and restored example such as this is the best a collector can hope to find.   Kugel warhead is just a bit loose on the attachment point on the handle. $600 - $800

Granatenwerfer 16 Trench Projectile Launcher

Retains black painted finish mixing with a light age patina; base has "Granatenwerfer 16" maker's data plate, though the maker portion is worn to being illegible.  Elevation adjustment works smoothly, The Granatenwerfer due to its unique design is a non-firearm in the eyes of Federal regulations, and no FFL is required.  

The Granatenwerfer 16 was a compact light mortar developed by the German Army for use in the static conditions of trench warfare. Introduced in 1916, this smoothbore, cup‑type launcher fired fin‑stabilized bombs using a propelling cartridge, delivering high‑angle fire at short ranges—typically under 400 meters. The weapon’s relatively light weight and simple, sturdy design allowed small infantry detachments to operate it close to the front line, lobbing explosive or gas projectiles into enemy trenches and obstacles with rapid accuracy.

Compared to earlier heavy trench mortars such as the 7.58 cm Minenwerfer, the Granatenwerfer 16 offered greater mobility and a faster rate of fire. Its tactical function paralleled that of British 2‑inch and French V.B. rifle grenade systems, which were also designed to saturate enemy positions that could not be reached by direct rifle fire. The German launcher’s efficiency in delivering sudden, localized bombardments made it a vital support weapon in assault and defensive operations, bridging the gap between hand grenades and heavier artillery throughout the latter half of the war.

$600 - $800

Inert - Early WWI improvised German grenade consists of a 6" x 3-1/2" x 3" field gray finished tinned iron warhead, base with time fuze complete with pull-safety, and mounted on 15-1/2" wooden racquet handle.  The French, German, and British all used field-made variations on this theme early in the war before more sofisticated munitions were available in adequate supply, but this one most closely resembles the German racquet grenade illustrated in Delhomme's reference Les Grenades Allemandes De La Grande Guerre.  This particular example was found in a barn in central Kentucky sometime before 2004 when it was originally consigned to Advance Guard Militaria by our dear departed friend Matt Johnson.  Our customer who purchased it at that time is now the one offering it (and much of his collection) for sale through Bannerman.  So how did such an early German grenade in such outstanding condition get to the U.S.?  We can only speculate, but it is possible that it was a doughboy souvenir, or more likely part of a selection of captured German ordnance that was rendered inert and brought to the U.S. for training in 1917.  A finer example of this grenade will not be found in any museum or collection.  An exceptional example of a very rare piece of ordnance. $1500 - $2000

M1915 Mess Kit with Combination Fork and Spoon Utensil: Bing 1917

Issue Model 1915 enameled iron mess retains 85% field gray enameled exterior finish, with fewer than the normal expected finish dings, though there is a solder repaired hole on the base.  This is a matched set (also a pleasant surprise) with maker's date stamps: "Bing 17".  Example retains the issue folding spoon and fork combination mess utensil which was still installed inside the lid when we got it, just as it was carried in the field.  

$100 - $150

Imperial German WWI Soldier's Accoutrement Lot: Breadbag, Strap & Canteen

Wartime M1915 breadbag which shows service wear, grime and soil, lacks the two utility buttons used by the belt attachment straps; interior has 1915 dated maker stamp and is marked to Infantry Regiment Nr. 9.  Breadbag strap is the pre-war ocher color M1893 breadbag strap, which is marked to Infantry Regiment Nr. 88.  M1915 canteen has feldgrau cover which is heavily soiled consistent with the breadbag, has leather strap which is weak, missing the attachment fitting and stopper.  Reverse of cover has a faint illegible inscription.  Also includes a M1917 lederschutzmaske gas mask and carrier.  Mask remains in good pliable condition as they always do, and has the ring of topographical rust around the filter that you often see on these.  Carrier has bits of field gray painted finish blending with oxidized patina, lid has illegible painted marking, complete with well-worn but intact carry and attachment straps.  

$100 - $200

Württemburg M1915 Ammunition Pouch

Single example of the unique Württemburg Model 1915 brown pebble-grained leather ammunition pouch.  This unique pattern is hinged on the front with side closure tabs, reverse has belt loops and ring for attachment to the knapsack or breadbag strap.  Lid opens forward revealing a complex metal internal divider system that segregated not only each clip but also each individual bullet tip from one another.  Shows light wear, but the leather remains in very good condition and is Pecard-free.  Unmarked, but to my knowledge the only firm that made these was Nördlinger and Pollock of Stuttgart, who held 1914 and 1915 state patents on the design, and a contract for 150,000 ammunition pouches destined for the Thirteenth Army Corps.  Württemburg... who knew they were closet rebels?  We thought the Bavarians were the only ones sticking their fingers in the Kaiser's eye!  Scarce state-specific German field gear.

$150 - $200

Imperial German M.1915 Breadbag & M.1915/17 Canteen

Tin-plated iron flask canteen has brown lacquer finish over gray metal patina where worn, brown wool cover with Prym snaps.  This has the simplified leather suspension that was introduced in April 1917, in this case interestingly made with the feldgrau leather that we see on some late war helmet liners.  That same feldgrau leather is also used for the reinforces and loop strap on the M.1915 breadbag; an excellent example showing very little use.  Interior has brown leather closure straps, feldgrau finished utility buttons, and is nicely marked to JR 174.  Has 1916 dated maker stamp on the reverse of the center support strap.  Includes a nice breadbag strap that is just slightly more worn, with no visible markings.

JR 174 drew its recruits primarily from the Rhine Province, especially the cities of Koblenz, Trier, and Alsace-Lorraine. During the First World War, the regiment was attached to the 32nd Infantry Brigade, part of the XXI Army Corps, and participated extensively on the Western Front. Notably, the regiment saw heavy fighting in Flanders, including the Battle of the Lys and protracted actions near Lille and on the Kemmel-Locre front, where it sustained significant losses before rotating to quieter sectors for rest and refit.

$150 - $250

Imperial German WWI Armor Breastplate

First pattern armor has dark oxidized patina and a light pitted texture, likely an old battlefield recovery piece.  Maker marks are no longer visible.  Breastplate only - lacks the three descending size sporran armor segment plates, but these breastplates are always impressive, even when displayed on their own.  The armor sets were primarily issued to soldiers with static duties, such as machine gun teams and sentries, who faced concentrated enemy fire while stationary or defending advanced posts, but it saw limited experimental use by assault troops as well, on the theory that it would be useful when crossing no-man's-land, and then could quickly be discarded for ease of mobility when the rough work in the enemy's trenches was at hand.  One of the more notable period photos of German armor shows it in great heaps, collected by French troops after one such fight.  $200 - $300

Imperial German Shelter Section Lot: WWI Kit Bag & Contents with 1918 Dated Zeltbahn

Field gray cotton rectangular bag with dish utility buttons, has "1916" maker date stamp and "B.A. XV / 1916" 15th Army Corps issue stamp. Complete with three pole sections, and three of the metal zeltbahn stakes. Bag has good pliable leather attachment straps. Has service wear and stains, fine overall.  Includes a M1915 field gray canvas shelter section with zinc grommets and utility buttons.  This is missing ten (five pairs) of the buttons and has a stained portion that has weakened the fabric in that spot, but very good overall condition with nice strong color.  There is no visible issue stamp, but it does have a good 1918 dated maker stamp.  

$100 - $150

43-3/4" overall.  Pioneer shovel has blade which was clearly once quite rusty and has been cleaned; entire surface is pitted but solid.  Has turned wood helve.  No visible markings.  Helve is fitted with one of the brown leather loop straps that the assault troops used to secure the helve to a shoulder strap on their uniform, with the blade stowed on a carrier on their belt.  This bit of equipment was elevated to paramount during the trench warfare of WWI, and in additional to the usual duties, these full-length spades were also carried into battle by Pioneer assault troops.  $100-$200

Imperial German WWI Accoutrement Lot: Cartridge Pouches, Belt, Pack, & Shovel Carrier

Black leather belt has Prussian buckle with "GOTT MIT UNS" motto.  Includes two M1909 cartridge pouches, one blackened, as ordered by the German Army for boots and other leather field gear in 1915.  (Both period photos and extant artifacts strongly suggest that this order was rather widely ignored).  This example has a 1915 dated maker stamp, and is blackened everywhere except the reverse side of the pouch.  Second example is dated 1916 and is of blackened leather entirely.  The brown leather individual entrenching tool carrier remains in nice condition, with unit marking "T.D.XVIII"  (per Jeff Noll's invaluable reference - horse depot of a train battalion / service corps detachment.)  This carrier includes a Linneman pattern entrenching tool with feldgrau finish on the blade.  Though this is -not- the Imperial German shovel with the distinctive riveted step, it works just fine as a stand-in for display.  Pack is the simplified wartime M1915 tornister, with calfskin reduced to the side covering the soldier's back only, and feldgrau canvas elsewhere.  Example has excellent pliable brown leather straps and fittings, with 1918 dated maker stamp.  

$200 - $300

Very nice condition field telephone has folding speaking funnel and black cushioned leather earpiece, metal portion retains the majority of feldgrau and black painted finishes.  Base is fitted with original cloth covered cord, lacks the attachment plug end as is almost always the case with these. Black leather carrier lacks shoulder strap; it has also lost the lid hinge strap on one side, but the lid remains and the leather is in good condition.  $150 - $250

Imperial German Fernglas 08 Binoculars Lot: Three Sets

Three sets of Fernglas 08 binoculars, includes one in an oval profile black leather belt case with metal top lid, complete with instructions on the interior of the lid.  Second and third sets are in brown leather rectangular box belt carriers; one with an intact neck strap on the binoculars and instructions on the interior of the lid, field repaired belt ring on the carrier.  Third set has contrasting brown eye pieces, has a portion of the broken leather neck strap, and the carrier lacks instructions and has damaged closure tabs, but has nice painted unit marking on the lid.  Optics on all three sets are functional - not crisp and clean, but not 'cloudy' either.  

$300 - $400

Imperial Front Line Canteen Stein

Half liter stoneware stein has gray salt glaze finish with blue slip Iron Cross motif and inscription "1914-1917 HEERESGRUPPE KRONPR. RUPPRECHT VON BAYERN" and "0.5L" incised below lip, nice example! 

$50 - $100

German Stein Lot: One Original and Two Reproductions

Includes a nice original .5 liter stonewear stein depicting Imperial German martial scenes with Hindenburg figure on the lid.  Also includes a modern Hoffbrau House 1 liter stonewear stein, and a reproduction reservist souvenir for JR 127.  

$100 - $150

WWI US 347th Field Artillery Soldier's Souvenir Insignia Belt with Several Scarce German Cockades

Often described as a 'hate belt' or 'trophy belt', these were common souvenirs among the doughboys of WWI: a mixture of insignia from friend and foe alike, mounted on a German belt.  In this case, it is a brown leather Imperial German belt with a nice feldgrau Prussian buckle, but interestingly the internal buckle billet has been relocated to the exterior of the belt.  Belt is mounted by 25 insignias, mostly German uniform buttons and NCO rank collar buttons, with the better pieces being a Baden cockade, a scarce Saxe-Weimar cockade, and a similarly desirable Hamburg & Lübeck (Hanseatic) cockade.  The belt also has a US "347 / Artillery / B" numbered collar disc, and is inscribed behind the buckle billet with the service number and unit of the doughboy to whom this belonged: Jean Domeco of Oakland, California, who served as a Cook in Battery B, 347th Field Artillery.

$100 - $200

Imperial German Infantry Regiment 29 Reservist's Pipe

JR 29 Reservist's souvenir pipe has a short but nice quality stag horn stem.  Bowl is adorned with martial vignettes and a roster of this reservist's unit: 3rd Company, Infantry Regiment Nr. 29 'Von Horn', from 1902 / 1904.  Bowl has a pickelhaube motif metal lid.  Includes a collector's custom made display stand.  

$100 - $200

Imperial German Motif Desk Statue / Ornament Lot

Four pieces, the largest of which is the bust of Paul von Hindenburg at 12cm (4-5/8") wide x 18cm (7-1/8") tall, of bronze tinted spelter on a black marbled base.  Also of the same materials is the helmeted head of an Imperial soldier.  M16 helmet over crossed swords is of cast brass on a black polished stone base, and the Baden helmet appears to be cast resin on a green base.  

$100 - $150

Imperial German Reservist's Souvenir Flasks: Lot of Five

Includes a very nice Imperial Kaiserliche Marine example, as well as flasks from JR26, JR143, and a very elaborate example with lithograph printed color panels and a frame of rifle cartridges. 

$200 - $300

Imperial German Motif WWI Souvenir Lot: Cigarette Cases, Letter Openers, Match Safes & More

Eleven items total.  Includes four cigarette cases with Iron Cross, spike helmet, or artillery shell motifs, two match safes, a shell splinter letter opener,, Iron Cross motif letter opener with measuring scale on the blade, a large Iron Cross paperweight, trench art made from a shell casing, fired bullet, and aviation fleschette, and a nice Iron Cross motif locket style coin holder with two spring-loaded interior pfennig dispensers. 

$200 - $300