Hi guys,

I found an interesting pic, this guys is clearly an NCO, but look at his haube, tall spike, a form fitting canvas cover which clearly shows that the helmet is a private purchase, not Goverment or QC issued, and check out the length of the spike.
But I thought NCOs didnt received much salary compared to the 2nd LTs.
A newly commisioned 2nd LT received 125 Marks per mth and EVERY officer was required to purchase his own haube and uniform, and a haube alone could cost him ard 54 Marks (!), thats a huge sum.

And the most senior NCO, lets say, a Feldwebel/Wachtmeister, earned 63 Marks per month, the percentage is not good.
And his uniform looks tailored, too, hmmm....

But the haube cover has a "L" on it, which means that this guys was a Landsturm, a 3rd tier unit.
My theory is this, this guy perhaps came from a rich family (pretty unlikely, as a rich kid would definately 'buy' his way to become an officer or at least served as a One Year Volunteer), or, he made a sucessful life in business after leaving active service,thus could afford to buy the pvt purchase haube or, well, the haube was simply a gift, as was the common custom, I heard.

What do you think, guys?

Cheers,
Mush

Fab shot Mush! I love uberzuges...a worthy study unto themselves.

Robert

Thanks for posting the interesting photo.

Doug

Very nice pic!! Jon

Here is another of my fav pic, remember this pic, Jon?

Its a pic of Prince Victoria Luise, the only daughter of Kaiser Wilhelm II, she was the colonel in chief of the 2nd Leib Hussar Regt, very charming lady and an impresive uniform, too.
I never thought that such uniform will look so good on female, nice busby, too.

Enjoy and cheers,

Mush