|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
is there any of you who collect or have a nice example? Here is a very short article about them from Kris's excellent site,,photos too . www.thirdreicharts.com/engine/inspect.asp?Item=1040&Filter=Gallery Never so sure how long these site will be up so I'm posting a link for those interested. So,,whos got one? or a period photo showing one?
Last edited by Gaspare; 07/08/2016 05:22 AM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
here's a great photo of 2 soldiers with 2 very nice examples! , one square , the other a round one..
Last edited by Gaspare; 07/08/2016 05:29 AM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
sorry don't remember whos stick or photo this is. It is not mine ,just in my files..
A nice example, clean, round, with a snake!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
Many say there weren't any SS sticks made! Kind of a broad statement.. I have seen well over a 100,,and still not a SS marked stick! There's got to be some out there as SS men certainly had them,,,,anyone with a SS Wolchowstock??
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
come on,,there's got to be some out there somewhere!!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,810 Likes: 13
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,810 Likes: 13 |
They are interesting. Sure there are some in collections. Might be tough to vet. without a trustworthy pedigree.
--dj--Joe
<BR>
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
Hi Joe.. There are plenty of authentic ones out there. I had a collection of around 30. Most all gone now except7.. They are surprising easy to spot a fake.. Main reason,,that wood! I don't know the proper name of it. I've heard many times it only grows around that area!,,but I don't believe it! It is light as balsa wood,,but man is it strong! A real one would easy hold up a 300 pound man yet its light as a feather!
There are plenty made from other wood types. But as you mention then how do you tell if good! Most collectors of these things have their own secret criteria! - Me,,I only like what I call the 'correct wood' type! and I look for worm holes! I know it takes time for a worm to do that so IF it has a few worm holes I'm happy! I'm also leery of a perfect one from other wood,,won't touch it! And,,I'd prefer a 'square' stick,,[harder to make] Some of mine are in that article on the first post..
Last edited by Gaspare; 07/10/2016 08:13 PM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,549 Likes: 5
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,549 Likes: 5 |
Many say there weren't any SS sticks made! Kind of a broad statement.. I have seen well over a 100,,and still not a SS marked stick! There's got to be some out there as SS men certainly had them,,,,anyone with a SS Wolchowstock?? Intresting point. In the photo you show with the ss enlisted men it doesn't appear there are sieg runes. It's been a while since I had access to Aurthur Hayes SS photo book but I thought there might of been a chance there was one in there...maybe.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
Dean,,, I used to have that book too, can't remember though [old age?]
I have seen a couple sticks with runes. They were called Narwastocks [Narva]. They were made from a hard wood and seemed thinner. Were they authentic? don't know.. For me the true Wolcowstock will 1st have that wood type. And, usually have carved Lenningrad and / or Wolchow. Some have towns close to Lenningrad carved on them.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,024 Likes: 31
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,024 Likes: 31 |
I have seen a Wolchow stick which is in the hands of the son of the former wearer. Unfortunately the wearer is deceased long ago and cannot tell us the subtleties of the stick. On the stick, there can be clearly seen the estonian emblem (also written is "EESTI") which could be a tie to the estonian legion... Regards,
1.JPG (92.61 KB, 213 downloads) 2.JPG (85.8 KB, 212 downloads) 3.JPG (73.02 KB, 212 downloads) 4.JPG (81.59 KB, 213 downloads) 7.JPG (58.13 KB, 212 downloads)
wotan, gd.c-b#105
"Never look for sqare eggs" as a late owner of an original FHH-dagger used to say.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
W.,,,that is one interesting stick! You know you figure you see the Estonian stuff and there would be a 'Narwa' on it! But there it is 'Leningrad'! Do you know his rank?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,024 Likes: 31
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,024 Likes: 31 |
Gaspare, yes, but there is also "EESTI" for Estland... As far as I could find out a part of "WIKING" were estonians who did form the unit "Narva" (a bataillon) within "WIKING" and fought in the region of Leningrad... But nothing to add worth as it stays within the family. I do not know the exact rank but he was below NCOs. Regards,
wotan, gd.c-b#105
"Never look for sqare eggs" as a late owner of an original FHH-dagger used to say.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
Credit - Kris L. site 'Third Reich Arts':
I've decided to post this from the above site.
The Wolchow Stick And Life In The ******** Of The World- By Gaspare Bua
The walking stick has long been a feature in German culture, and for centuries they have been observed throughout Europe in various form and in the hands of some very prominent historical figures as well as the common man.
The Wolchow stick is named for the Wolchow River region near St. Petersburg Russia. Known in WWII as Leningrad, this area of harsh terrain, swamp, and inhospitable conditions all around earned it the nickname "der Arsch der welt" or in English " The ******** of the world ".
The sticks were reportedly carved by soldiers for their senior ranks, and by wounded who spent their time crafting these individual works of art into a remembrance piece for time spent in this area on the Russian front.
The wood used was indigenous to the area was a very hard blond or a local pine and each stick differs from the next with some more elaborate than others. The wood was very light weight and strong as well as resilient to the harsh environment. Some sticks may have been carved by Russian captives and in many cases swastika's will be found backwards and common German words spelled incorrectly.
Traditional early sticks are four sided with a top knob for the hand and taper from top to bottom. The sticks would bear geometric designs and Wehrmacht style eagles and various other treats making each one special in its own right. The square variants are less often encountered and the more common variant is a round stick, carved essentially in the same manner.
These were highly cherished pieces of the recipient, so much so that during direct veteran purchases where awards, equipment, and personal items such as rings are sold off, the sticks would remain with the owner and a refusal to part with them was not uncommon.
From the photo's, it is pretty clear that the men who had these sticks enjoyed them and in some cases sent them home for safe keeping, while others used them daily as their tough structure would bear the brunt of most anything.
While collectors in many cases gravitate to medals, firearms, cloth, and various things they feel are important artifacts, and of course they are. The fighting men who were there, tend to hold items such as the Wolchow stick or small tokens of their service as invaluable pieces of time, and only they know why. But it is their memory that dictates what was important to them, and the Wolchow stick was no doubt an important part of their service and memories of time spent in battle, in a place known as the ******** of the world.
Note: It would appear that some question that Russian P.O.W's carved these sticks as the above article states. For those who have doubt I have added a period photo of a real Russian P.O.W carving a real stick. Picture is displayed 2nd from the last, this should clear the issue up.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
Many collectors have no idea about these sticks.. They see some of what I call the basic ones and can accept them... Then they'll see one at a show like this Horse headed example and just don't believe. Then they must see this Panzermans stick!, A real thing of beauty!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
- so we have a photo of a Soviet POW making a stick above.. And now here we have a German soldier detailing one up.....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
found a great photo on the net!
Couple of enterprising men here! the one has a man carving etc. Not sure about the green circle[?] maybe showing the dye / shoe polish some believe was used for the brown color on the sticks?
Last edited by Gaspare; 10/23/2016 06:23 AM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
YO,, I won the above photo,,got it for very little!
So this looks like a shoe brush. Maybe using shoe polish to dye the stick[?]
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
this shows a German soldier carving one up. Here looks like he is applying the design to the stick [?] Wonder if they gave to their commander [I've heard that story many times] OR, ,they carve them and offer them for sale saying a Russian POW carved it and for a small price you can have it
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
the site has been updated and improved! Here's a link: www.thirdreicharts.com
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,017
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,017 |
Good Stuff G. I looked for Kris at the sos but didnt see him.
Never argue with an idiot, he will only drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. And remember the early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
came across a funny photo [I think ] thought I'd add it here as its related..
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
Seems to be a few people inspecting a Wolchowstock... a close up.. seems they are pointing out a spelling mistake.. This was quite common..
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
surfing around the net and found this photo..
Interesting,, nice big chunky Wolchowstock..
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
,,, one of my last few remaining sticks....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
has a carved EK around neck and also a small chain with mini WW1 Iron Cross
Last edited by Gaspare; 06/30/2020 02:24 PM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,682 Likes: 54
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,682 Likes: 54 |
I have seen them before but never knew what they were!
PVON
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
Well, finally a book on the Wolchowstock..... I used to have a large collection.. Now I'm down to my last favorite 3 sticks.. - Book looks good. Seems to be dual language,,German and English. B&W photos is but it works.. - About 70 to 90 euro! Expensive but IF your in to these its a must have I guess.. - OH, and a updated link to a article by yours truly: https://www.thirdreicharts.com/the-wolchow-stick-and-life-in-the-ass-of-the-world-gaspare-bua[s][/s]
Last edited by Gaspare; 12/02/2022 01:29 AM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
photo credit German Ebay: Cool photo.. These are rather skinny for Wolchowstock,,but you can see the designs, carvings etc. so they qualify! https://www.thirdreicharts.com/the-wolchow-stick-and-life-in-the-ass-of-the-world-gaspare-bua I sold one at the last MAX.. So as of now I only have 2 left and those will probably stay,,,,unless someone has a cool ring or old knuckles to trade!
Last edited by Gaspare; 11/21/2023 03:48 PM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287
|
OP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,161 Likes: 287 |
When I first saw this photo I thought ...Wow,,finally one of the top handle Wolchowstocks! There are wolchowstocks that have a wide handle seemingly like what is shown. The are very rare and have only seen 2 in 40+ years.. But the closer you study the photo you realize ,,,'hey that is a freaking shovel'! - * So here is a first! A shovel with wolchowstock like carvings on the shaft!
Last edited by Gaspare; 12/19/2023 05:24 PM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 15,098 Likes: 102
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 15,098 Likes: 102 |
Gaspare that's a very rare shovelwolchow.
|
|
|
Forums42
Topics31,677
Posts329,203
Members7,531
|
Most Online5,900 Dec 19th, 2019
|
|
|
|