Posted 12 years ago
Ted_Straub
(993 items)
I found these in a box of old photos which I obtained at an auction. The first seems to have been cut out of a group photo, and the second has an inscription on it stating in German "In memory of my love". Also is written "Werner July 29 1917", along with 29/VII 17. Since many of the correspondences in this box were between The German and German-American family members, I assume that the date in English is to make Werner's passing clear to the American reader. In my eyes, the man with the rifle, and the man 2nd from the right, middle row, bear a resemblance. Could this be the same soldier?
There seems to be a number of years between the two photos.
The rifle is an 1871 or 1871/84 Mauser, which as obsolete by WWI, with even the reserves carrying at least the 1888 rifle, if not the then current 1898 Mauser. HOWEVER, old rifles were frequently used as studio props. BUT the young man seems to also be wearing the correct scabbard for the 1871 bayonet, and I see the portions of people beside him, which make me wonder if they are similarly armed.
Also, he’s wearing white trousers with the older pattern “dunkelblau” dark blue tunic that was superseded by field grey in 1910. The white linen trousers were summer wear, substituting for the serge blue-black trousers worn the rest of the time. While it is true that the whole German army hadn’t transitioned to field by the start of the war, and some Germans still fought wearing dunkelblau in 1914 and 1915, I would think the linen trousers would have long since disappeared.
In short – I have inconclusive evidence, but I think there are ten to twenty years between when the two shots were taken, but if it’s the same person, the face hasn’t aged much.
Very nice indeed!
Thank you Chrisnp for your info on these photos..it is truly appreciated!
Thank you miKKoChristmas11, for your much appreciated comment, and for your love of these photos!!
Thank you all for your loves on this pair of pictures!