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Wanted to post a few of my Imperial visors. I seem to have gravitated toward the Dragoons specifically, cavalry in general. I found the only way for an item to stay in my collection over the years is it has to be attributable (or at least hold the possibility of identifying an owner). These guys fit the bill.

First up, the visor of Rittmeister Max CLEMENS Mariano Maria Joseph Hubert Reichsfreiherr von und zu Eltz-Rübenach
(1878-†1940) Oldenburgisches Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 19.

Commissioned in 1901 in Dragoner Regiment 4

Leutnant 30.01.00 P4p
Oberleutnant 18.10.09 U4u

Transferred to DR 19 between the October 1913 Supplement and the May 1914 Rank List, probably when promoted

Rittmeister 18.10.13 S2s

Commander of 5th Squadron in 1914 and into 1916

Received the Catholic Papal-affiliated version of the Order of Malta as of 1914 Rangliste.

Eventually returned to service for WW2 but died shortly after he was called up.

Eltz-Rübenach was the younger brother of Hitler's first Minister of Post and Transportation, who was purged in 1937 as a Catholic activist anti-Nazi:

"Execution of the Nazi Party Program. In the original Cabinet of 30 January 1933 only three cabinet members were members of the Party -- Goering, Frick, and Hitler. As new Ministries were added to the Cabinet, prominent Nazis were placed at their head. On 30 January 1937, Hitler accepted into the Party those Cabinet members who were not already members. This action is reported in the Voelkischer Beobachter, South German Edition, of 1 February 1937:


"In view of the anticipated lifting of the ban for party membership, the Fuehrer, as the first step in this regard, personally carried out the enlistment into the party of the members of the Cabinet, who so far had not belonged to it and he handed them simultaneously the Gold Party Badge, the supreme badge of honor of the party. In addition, the Fuehrer awarded the Gold Party Badge to Generaloberst Freiherr von Fritsch; Generaladmiral Dr. H. C. Raeder; the Prussian Minister of Finance, Professor Popitz; and the Secretary of State and Chief of the Presidential Chancellery, Dr. Meissner.

"The Fuehrer also honored with the gold party badge the party members State Secretary Dr. Lammers, State Secretary Funk, State Secretary Koerner and State Secretary General of the Airforce Milch."


It was possible to refuse the party membership thus conferred. Only one man, von Eltz-Rubenach, who was the Minister of Post and Minister of Transport at the time, did this. His letter from von Eltz-Rubenach to Hitler, dated 30 January 1937, reads as follows:


"I thank you for the confidence you have placed in me during the four years of your leadership and for the honor you do me in offering to admit me to the party. My conscience forbids me however to accept this offer. I believe in the principles of positive Christianity and must remain faithful to my Lord and to myself. Party membership however would mean that I should have to face without contradiction the steadily aggravating attacks by party offices on the Christian confessions and those who want to remain faithful to their religious convictions.
"This decision has been infinitely difficult for me. For never in my life have I performed my duty with greater joy and satisfaction than under your wise state leadership.

"I ask to be permitted to resign.

"With German Greetings:
Yours very obediently,
"(signed) Baron v. Eltz"

View 2

liner marking

Next up, visor of 2. Hannoversches Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 16 originally owned by Oblt. a.D. Gert Freiherr von Diepenbroick-Grüter (*28.05.1894.)

Appears to have been part of D.R.16 as a Fähnrich in 1914 & later Reserve Kavallerieabteilung 78 which was associated to
Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 16.

Retired as an Oblt, survived WWI.

His father was also a cavalry officer, retiring in 1905/1906.

One of his younger brothers was quite influential in the German art scene.

2nd view

cypher on liner

Last for now, Visor Cap 1. Badische Leibdragoner Regiment Nr.20 - owned by Lt. dR GIULINI, resident in Hamburg -- he received BZ3bX (Zähringen Lion Order 3b = Knight 2nd Class X swords)06.10.14 as Lt u Ordonnanz Offizier 28. Res Div. 28th Reserve Division.

Visor maker botched on the Italian last name of the owner.

2nd view

Liner

and... I figure it made its way into nearly all the shots, so here's the dragoon oil painting. Trumpeter of the 1. Brandenburgisches Dragoner Regt Nr.2.

Cheers,

Luc

Nice hard to find items thanks for posting them.

Lucas,

Many thanks for the wonderful photos and detailed narrative. The caps seem to have come out of a "time-machine," especially your first and second examples. The material seems to be near flawless and the colors are still especially vibrant after all these years.

You've set a very high-hurdle" for yourself, collecting only those that are "researchable," and you've passed with honors! Those are some mighty fine visors good sir, I very much hope you'll have a chance to show us more as time permits.

Kind regards!

Bill

Thanks for the comments guys...

Another (somewhat) visor related piece I picked up from a good friend.

large size photo in original frame of Leutnant Vollrath Freiherr von Maltzahn zu Wartenburg u. Penzlin, 9 Husaren Regt (1 Eskadron when he entered the war in 1917). Accompanying the photo is the original ribbon bar for Maltzahn. (EK2, CM2X, MMV2, EH3bX)

Maltzahn was born Dec 22nd 1899. After service in WWI 1925 he entered the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, where his relative, the baron Adolf Georg von Maltzan, former ambassador, directed the service of the East.

Maltzahn reached the rank of consul in 1927 and was named secretary of the minister Stresemann (1871-1929). Then with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs until 1938.

From 1942 to 1945, Maltzan represented the commercial section of company IG Farben.

In 1946, Maltzahn is named to the ministry for the economy of the Land of Hesse, then in the zone of American occupation. From 1950 to 1953, he worked in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs the department of the foreign trade and the economic relations and 1953 to 1955 the department of the political matters.

Maltzahn finished his career as ambassador in Paris of 1955 at the end of 1958.

Neat little group.

closeup of bar

Last cavalry group I'd like to share. Not a Baron or an Officer. Quite a humble group being centred around only an EK2.
But it was acquired by me from the family and is quite a moving group - and is one of my favorites.

Husar Adolf Schluchter served in the 9th Husaren Regt at about the same time as Baron von Maltzahn, but their lives and fates definitely ran different courses.

Despite his young age he signed up at nearly the beginning of the war and served the duration with 9 Husaren Regt (2 esk).

Schluchter was KIA 14.09.1917 at Hilsen. Buried in Breitenbach Cemetary Block 8 Grave 38.

In the July prior to his death he was awarded the EK2.

Excellent group I always love looking at - again, quite an emotional one.

EK2 Doc

Obituary - written by his sister

And last but not least, Husar Schluchter. Very nice CdV.

The regimental history of the 9th Hussars confirms the posting and death of Schluchter at Hilsen.

Young man when he died ...

What a great scence of history you get from seeing these items along with the photos.
Thanks for sharing them.

Thanks for the kind words Dean

Fantastic items, especially the EK 2nd class grouping. Very nice.

Visor #2 (16th Dragoons) just found a pic of the owner (centre man in pic)

Congrats on scoring this guys photo.Is it the first one you have of him?
How great to be able to put a face on your ID'd item.

Completely lucked out. The owner was a Fähnrich in Dragoner R. 16 in 1914, so did not make it into the 1914 Rangliste. But triangulating him through other sources books including Gothaisches Genealogisches Taschenbuch der Freiherrlichen Häuser and online resources led to the ID.

I found a copy of Das 2. Hannoversche Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 16 im Weltkriege 1914–1918 and purchased it, knowing Diepenbroick was mentioned and assisted in writing a portion...however I had no idea he was pictured.

It actually assists in confirming the ID of the visor in my mind. Even if this one he is wearing is a feldgrau, you can see the "lower profile" style cap he clearly favored compared to other officers in the picture.

L,

Where to start..? I'm stumped for adjectives ...

You've done an excellent job of research, putting all this together represents a lot of thoughtful work and man-hours.
Your high standards should be an inspiration to any serious collector.

Looking forward to seeing more, as time permits ... thanks!

Bill

Hi Bill - thanks for the compliments sir. The research side is very enjoyable, its nice to give a name back to an artifact that the previous owner either did not know or had in good faith incorrectly assumed...

Best Regards,
Luc

The quality of your visors is simply superb. I have never seen such a pristine collection.

Many thanks for the compliments! I'm running out of room for visors though and I still get the rolleyes from the wife when a new one arrives and I'm nose deep in ranklists and unit histories for days after LOL

Usually I stick to visors...and dabble slightly in ribbon bars and medals. And normally it's cavalry items...but something about this piece I really liked. Besides I had a Reserve Infantry Officer visor that it is now displayed next to, so it's found a good home

This is my first of these (and likely the last) a Zeiss Telex 6X Sn 488522, should put manufacture sometime early to mid 1915.

It is neatly inscribed to a Ltn Asche.

Closeup of inscription

The owner was a Lt. dR Friedrich ASCHE, born Jan 9th, 1885.1914 Rangliste shows Asche as a Lt. dR in IR57. Subsequently transferred to RIR256 where he served in the II Battalion, 6.Komp from Mid July 1915. Killed at Kryscenie near Vilnius on Sept 11th, 1915.

Scans from the Rangliste and the RIR256 history I just received...

And last, a picture - love to say it's of Asche wearing this No such luck, but of an Off-Stellv from RIR 256 in 1915 wearing his own binos.

Anyway, a small inexpensive item, but I really like it. You can't say with certainty but it was likely with him when he died. If it could talk it would surely tell a tale or two...the unit seemed to be fairly heavily committed during the early years of the war.

Thanks for looking....

I totally see the appeal of a object like this.
Give me something with that been there look over the mint stuff anyday.

Lucas,

Thanks for taking time to share another part of your classic collection with us, this is really primo stuff. It's always a pleasure checking your latest posts. Your knowledge and enthusiasm for this great hobby serves as an inspiration for all of us.

Much continued good luck!

Bill

Thanks for the kind comments guys!

You have a fantastic collection of personalized militaria. I am envious. I like the heavy cavalry of both Prussia and Saxony. I guess I would like the Bavarians too if I could find one of their helmets.

Here is the helmet of a Reserve Officer of the Saxon Karabinier-Rgt. It came with case and label, but the name has all but disappeared. They are beautiful helmets.







The regiment was memorialized after WWI with a monument in Borna, near Leipzig. I don't know if it survived WWII.

Joe,

That helmet is really an 'eyefull...' it looks like a superb example. Anyone having any helmet in like condition is indeed a very lucky person. I enjoyed staring at your excellent photo, one of the best shots I've seen of an imperial helmet. The soft grey background really brings home the design and precise, crisp, clean lines of the various metal components. The lighting is top-notch, too, with a minimum of glare and unwanted reflections. Very nice!

A stunning monument ... may they rest in peace ...

Sincere thanks for adding your great images to this first-class post.

Bill