Der
Rittmeister Militaria LLC. Imperial German Merchandise Page 22: Colonial Materials: Badges, Medals,
Photos, Artwork, and Tableware from Imperial Germany's Foreign Possessions.
Updated 24 February 2010. Contact
us at:
rittmeister@earthlink.net![]()


New
items on
Bala's Bargain Bin, our clearance
page, effective
19 July 2009!!
AND
Kyri's Kurio Korner, featuring great
little items from a
cute little cat -- at reduced prices! Effective
19 July 2009!!
![]()
We have an office in Germany 0049 (0)4104-962028!!
![]()
33-08 EAST ASIAN NCOS SHAKO IN FULL DRESS CONFIGURATION. This is an EXTREMELY rare shako! Although at first glance it might appear to be more common, certain key points really make it stand out. First and foremost is its condition. To say that it is excellent is an understatement. While the shakos exterior is very fine, it is the interior that really makes a special statement. The first time I saw this I was overwhelmed by what I beheld. The basic material of the shako is an elegant feldgrau felt. The front and rear visors of the shako are of choice brown leather. The leather chinstrap is absolutely original to the shako in the fine, brown, prewar brass style. The wappen is a particularly interesting feature of this shako. It is gilt and in wonderful condition. It displays the typical Colonial Adler (Eagle), which exhibits a fine patina. However, an even more unusual trait can be seen. If one looks closely, one can see that the Hohenzollern Crown has been removed. Not broken off, mind you, but neatly and inconspicuously removed. Why? At the end of WW I, in a silent tribute to the Kaiser and to mourn the passing of the monarchy, many men removed the crown from all sorts of items. I have seen flight badges with their crowns removed. This has been done so unobtrusively that without close examination, one might not even notice it had occurred. The shakos field badge is in place. Rising above it is the most beautiful parade bush that I have ever seen for ANY shako. It is full, complete and in sterling condition. It flows beautifully down over the shako, setting it off magnificently. Inside, the shako is also in exquisite condition. A complete enlisted/NCO style inner liner is present. All of the leather tongues are extant. A leather thong is strung between the tongues that would have allowed sizing the shako to the necessary size for the wearer. Underneath the leather liner is a paper tag that identifies the wearer of the shako. The paper tag clearly reads, "Sergeant Marte Ostasiat. Feld-Lazarett." It seems our man was a Senior NCO in the military hospital in China! This hospital was not large. Only a few men of his position would have served in this capacity with the hospital. This rare piece of headdress fits in well with several other items we are offering for German troops who served in China. A rubber stamp mark appears beside the paper tag, but I am unable to decipher it. Most likely it is for the manufacturer. This probability, along with the ID tag and the lack of formal depot markings, mean this is probably a privately purchased shako. Whatever the case, it is a real prize! $8,895.00
JY
04-358 NCO MOUNTED DRAGOON FOR SERVICE IN CHINA PICKELHAUBE. This week we offer a very rare example of a pickelhaube for an NCO Dragoon serving in China during the period of 1900-1910. This helmet could very likely have seen service during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. The helmet was acquired this summer from a longtime collection. It was described as the subject helmet in the book "Pickelhauben (Spiked Helmets) The Glittering Age: German Headdress from the Seventeenth to the Twentieth Century 1650-1918" by Dr. Eric Johansson. It appears on page 170 of that book, which was published in the 1980's. On page 170 the description as written by Dr. Johansson is: "COLONIAL SERVICES MOUNTED DRAGOON NCO DRAGOON HELMET - Black leather formed body with all brass fittings, including cruciform base spike with NCO perlring and plain stud retainers. The chin scales are brass, convex and secured by matching rosettes. A single reichskokarde in the national colors is worn on the right side of the helmet. The frontplate consists of the colonial services eagle, picked out in brass." The helmet is in very fine condition for its age, and for having seen service in China. The leather body is supple and well preserved. The left rear quarter shows some scuffing, but overall that is not detractive. All of the fur
niture is gilt and is quite handsome, especially the wappen and the chin scales. As mentioned in Johanssons description, the single reichs kokarde is present on the right side of the helmet. The interior of the helmet is also quite pleasing, with all tongues of the liner in place. The sizing thong is not present. All in all, this is a very fine example of a scarce variation of a Dragoon helmet. Its status as a "textbook example" adds a certain cachet to its value. This is the third time that I have been able to acquire an article of headdress that was featured in this book. They always prove quite popular. If you would like a copy of the section of the book that describes this helmet, I would be very pleased to enclose one. $4,895.00. .
04-371 XPB POSTAL SERVICE IN CHINA PICKELHAUBE. This week we offer a really unusual consignment piece that comes from the premiere collection of colonial items in the USA. The owner of this pickelhaube put together a truly amazing display at the 2004 MAX Show in Charlotte, NC. He brought an entire truckload of items to the show to share with other collectors. He had examples of headdress, tunics, etc. from every major German colony (German East Africa, German Southwest Africa, and China) and even some of the VERY minor ones that the average collector would not recognize. This gentleman is known as an authority on the German colonies. He has been of tremendous help to me as I try to become more knowledgeable about the subject. He has helped edit my descriptions for this site in order to give you more complete and accurate information about colonial items. Items from German colonies are becoming increasingly interesting to me. Whenever possible, I am seeking out interesting colonial items for you. We have even added a separate "COLONIAL" page to our web site to further this truly interesting segment of collecting. The pickelhaube we are offering this week is quite rare. It is for a Postal Serviceman who served in China. Pause just a moment and ask yourself, "How many men could have been involved with the Imperial German Postal Service in China?" How quickly one realizes the singularity of this particular helmet! Germany began its Chinese colony in the 1890's. As a part of that development, She established postal service for those Germans based in China. {In an interesting aside, one of the German concerns established in China was a brewery, which was then known as "Germania Brewery". This business evolved over the years into the brewery (and beer) that we in the West know as Tsingtau. [Germany had a naval base in the city with the same name. I would add that Tsingtau is an excellent beer. I always thought it was good beer, NOW I know why]!} As Germany expanded its influence in China, postal service was established in Peking, Shanghai, Tientsin, and other cities. This helmet would have been worn by a Reichs Post Administrator serving in China. The body of the helmet is felt, instead of the leather that would have been used in Germany. It has all gilt-furniture. The wappen is typical of colonial service wappens, with the exception of the addition of a postal horn in the eagles talons at the bottom. Interestingly, this same style of postal horn is used by Deutsche Post in Germany today. The helmet displays a beautiful set of chin scales and a short spike. It has a single reichs kokarde on the helmets right side. The helmets felt body is in generally good condition. A spot of mothing shows on the helmets left front, which will be detailed in our photos. Furthermore, some moth tracking shows on the rear visor. Even with these two minor imperfections, this is an amazingly fine appearing helmet on its exterior. The interior of the helmet has the enlisted mans style of liner, which is a leather-tongue affair. The sizing thong, by which the wearer could adjust the size, is not present. This liner shows substantial age, but nevertheless is complete. All of the helmets interior hardware is present and original. The helmet would date from the period of 1900 to1914. It likely could have been present during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900-01. The owner has provided an interesting historical description of Germanys time in China and of this helmet, both of which will be conveyed to the new owner. If you are looking for something truly unique for your collection, you cant miss with this pickelhaube. $3,895.00. . . Reduced To $3,495.00!!0
When I was offered this sword
07-127 OFFICER’S SWORD - SCHUTZTRUPPEN - GERMAN COLONIES.
, I was quite taken with it. Although far from a sword specialist, I knew I had to have and share it with you, especially in light of my personal interest in the German colonies and the Schutztruppen. The sword is considered a degen. It is a 1st Model of the Degen für Offizier der Schutztruppen. Two things make the sword stand out over any other Imperial German sword. First, and most obvious, is the magnificent Hohenzollern Crown at the pommel’s top. Second, the sword has a folding clamshell similar to a naval sword. The only difference is that the clamshell displays a gilt Hohenzollern Eagle. The degen’s grip is the typical dark shark skin, in very good condition. The grip is single-wire wrapped. A leather finger guard is attached to the grip’s base. The scabbard, which measures 31 3/4" in length, has a single ring. The scabbard, originally black, has aged to a burnished brown. As we remove the sword from the scabbard, it measures 36" in length from the Hohenzollern Crown’s top to the blade’s tip. The felt buffer remains in place (always a sign of a complete and original sword). The blade is hallmarked for the well-known firm, W K & C. The blade is plain and remains bright, with handsome blood gutters. $1,995.00
22-50 OFFICER PROMOTION DOCUMENT SIGNED BY KAISER WILHELM II
& AWARD
DOCUMENT - ALBERT KNIGHT’S CROSS 1st CLASS WITH SWORDS - SAXONY.
22-31 PATENT FOR AN OFFICER SERVING IN GERMAN SOUTHEAST AFRICA SIGNED BY KAISER WILHELM II. This is an ultra rare document that served as a promotion patent for an officer serving in the German colony of Southeast Africa. The officer was Hauptmann Hugo Freiherr von Nordic zur Rabenau. The document was signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II on 13 September 1911. A quick look at the Rangeliste for 1914-1918 indicates that von Nordic zur Rabenau did not serve in Africa during WW I. I did find mention of two men named Rabenau. One served on a staff and one was with an artillery regiment, but I cannot tell if either was our man (Please see below for additional information on this officer). In the document it mentions twice that this man was attached to the Schutztruppe in German Southeast Africa. The document has been folded in half. It shows a slight separation of about two inches in the fold. All of the information on the document is clear and readable. It sports a very bold signature of the Kaiser. This is an exceptional document. We have received additional information on Hauptmann a.D. (retired) Hugo Freiherr von Nordic zur Rabenau from a regular reader who enjoys doing research. Hugo Freiherr von Nordec zur Rabenau was born 25 October 1873 and was originally assigned to Kurhessisches-Jaeger Battalion Nr 11. After promotion in 1895 he was assigned to the Schutztruppe in German East Africa (Deutsche Ost Afrika) in September 1900. While he was promoted to Hauptmann in 1911 as indicated in the description above he retired from the army in either 1913 or 1914. With the beginning of WW I he was recalled and was a company commander in Reserve-Infantry-Regiment Nr 81. He fell at Vassincourt on the Western Front on 10 September 1914, barely a month into the war. At the time that he fell for the Fatherland, von Nordic zur Rabenau was forty years old. I appreciate this additional information from this reader who has shared his research with us in the past. $650.00
This is the Combatant’s Medal given to Germans (Navy and Army) who served in China during 1900 through 1901 (the time referred to as the "Boxer Rebellion)." The Boxers, who were "secretly" supported by the Chinese government, fought against the powers from Europe, Japan, and the USA with interests in China. The rebellion’s highlight was the siege of Peking, in which all of the non-Chinese powers combined their efforts against the Boxers. The decoration is gold and measures 1 1/4" in diameter. Its obverse depicts a German eagle defeating a Chinese dragon. The reverse displays Kaiser Wilhelm II’s crowned cypher, along with mention of the reason for decoration. This piece is a nonstandard size, but the correct ribbon is attached. $250.00
05-1458 COMBATANT’S MEDAL - CHINESE (BOXER) REBELLION.
05-1230 GERMAN SOUTHWEST AFRICA NON COMBATANT’S MEDAL. This is the Non Combatant’s Medal for the Expedition in German Southwest Africa. The expedition took place during 1904/1905. As this is the non combatant’s version, the medal is silver-toned. [The combatant’s version is gilt-toned]. It is in excellent condition. The decoration’s obverse features Germania in profile, along with the words "Sudwest Afrika 1904-1905." The reverse sports a crowned cypher of Kaiser Wilhelm II and "Verdienst um die Expedition." A short length of original ribbon is attached to the jump ring. The ribbon is a bit narrower than the regularly-issued ribbon. $235.00
05-1396 COLONIAL DENKMÜNZE - THREE SPANGEN.
*Togo 1896 (very early and seldom-seen).
*Togo 1898/99 (uncommon combination showing two years service.).
*Togo 1901.
This decoration is very rare. With three spangen, it is a real prize. This is the first time we have offered one of them. $750.00
05-1392 GERMAN SOUTHWEST AFRICA COMBATANTS MEDAL - TWO
SPANGEN.
This is a combatant’s medal for a
soldier who participated in the German Southwest Africa campaigns from 1904
through 1906. As this is the combatant’s version, it sports a gilt finish
rather than the non combatant’s silver finish. The decoration measures 1 1/4" in
diameter. Its obverse features Germania in profile from the neck up.
Around the edge we read "Südwest Afrika
1904-06." The reverse depicts a Hohenzollern Crown and a royal stole
flowing down over Kaiser Wilhelm II’s cypher. Below the cypher are crossed
swords, which confirm that the decoration was won during wartime. Around the
outer edge are the words "Den Siegreichen Streitern." The decoration’s ribbon measures 2 1/2." Best of all, two gilt-toned
spangen (bars) are attached to the ribbon. They were awarded for
participation in specific engagements during a campaign. In this instance, the
bars are for "Gross-Namaland" and "Oranje." While I do see this
medal from time to time, it is quite uncommon to find them with spangen.
To have one spange attached is a real treat. Finding a decoration with
two or more spangen is downright mind-boggling!
$695.00
22-66 COLONIAL TROOPS VETERANS’ ASSOCIATION STICKPIN.
This is a high-quality veterans medal from the German Colonial troops (Schutztruppen) of German Southwest Africa (Deutsch Süd-West-Afrika). The medal is silver-toned. It measures 1 1/4" in diameter. It was specifically for troops involved in combat during the years 1904 through 1906. Special medals were produced for men who participated in the conflict as combatants and as non combatants. Across the medal’s top is the legend "zur Erinnerung an die Kriegsjahre in Deutsch Süd-West-Afrika (In remembrance of the war year in German Southwest Africa." Below that is a Hohenzollern Crown, with a wreath enclosing a pair of crossed rifles and a colonial-style hat sporting an upturned brim. A reich’s kokarde is pinned onto the upturned brim. The medal’s reverse features the ever-watchful Germania, along with the words "In Trutziger Wehr Für Deutschlands Ruhm & Ehr! (In Defiant Defense for Germany’s Glory and Honor!"). A loop appears at the medal’s top, but it has no jump ring or ribbon. $250.00
22-67 VETERAN’S MEDAL - SERVICE - GERMAN SOUTHWEST AFRICA.
22-65 RIBBON BAR - KAMERUN 1900 SPANGE. This is an interesting one-place ribbon bar. It features the ribbon for the Southwest African Campaign Medal. Mounted on the ribbon is a spange (bar) that reads "Kamerun 1900." Campaign bars were used beginning with the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. They showed the battles or campaigns in which a man participated. The practice was also used for service in the German colonies of Africa and China. This ribbon bar was worn on the tunic’s left breast. A pin on the reverse secures the ribbon bar to the wearer’s clothing. Bars from the various German colonial campaigns can be very difficult-to-find. Perhaps one of the rarest is the bar for "Peking" from the 1900 Boxer Rebellion. I have had a single bar offered to me for more than $1,000! This example is in very fine condition. $275.00
In postwar Germany, two different types of badges were awarded to those men who had spent time in Germany’s overseas colonies. First was the "Lion Badge," which was awarded in two classes. The second was the "Elephant Badge," which we are offering today. This is a particularly striking example. It comes from the estate of a longtime German collector who kept the badge in his collection for more than forty years. The badge exhibits a superb patina. The badge measures 2 ½" x 2 ½." Its central theme is an elephant with his trunk and tusks raised up. Below the elephant is an arrangement of oak Leaves. Around the badge’s interior Germany’s overseas colonies are mentioned. From left to right they are: Sudsee, Afrika, and Kiautschou. The reverse reveals a sturdy pin and the Ges. Geschütz number 33992. The badge comes in a modern-day presentation box, which is NOT original to the badge. It is German, however, and displays well. It is as fine an example of this badge as I have ever acquired. You will really like this one. $450.00
22-64 COLONIAL "ELEPHANT" BADGE.
This is a porcelain tray /ashtray measuring 4" x 5 1/4." It is rounded. It shows a number of black troops gathered around a white German NCO. He appears to be having a hard time dealing with the heat. The tray is multicolored and hand painted. A kriegsflagge hangs from a flagpole in the background. As we examine the base, we see hallmarking for the noted-firm KPM of Berlin. One small chip appears on the edge, which is not detractive to the presentation. $725.00
22-58 PORCELAIN TRAY / ASHTRAY - BLACK TROOPS AND GERMAN NCO - KAMMERUN - KPM BERLIN.
![]()
These are intriguing spoons, hand fashioned and hand hammered from German coins used in the German East Africa Colony. It was the most successful and well-known German African colony. Our grouping consists of three spoons. The two larger spoons were fashioned from one-Rupee coins. The coins have been hammered so that they serve as the spoon’s bowl. An intertwined handle has been added to the coin/bowl. The overall length of these two spoons is 5." The coin’s diameter is 1 1/8." The coin’s obverse depicts Kaiser Wilhelm II wearing the Regiment der Garde du Corps’ uniform and eagle-topped parade helmet. The coin’s reverse states that it is from Deutsch Ostafrika, is worth one Rupee, and gives the date. One spoon’s date is 1910, and the other is 1913. It has a Silver Mint mark "J." I do not know what it represents. The smaller spoon measures 3 1/2" in length. The coin measures 3/4" in diameter. T he denomination of this coin is 1/4 Rupee. The coin is identical to the one Rupee, with the exception of its size. The date on the reverse is 1906, and its mint mark is "A." All three spoons are in excellent condition, and ready to use in any fashion that your imagination can direct. $350.00
22-59 COIN-SPOONS - THREE - GERMAN EAST AFRICA.
22-70 PIN - COINS - BELGIAN CONGO. This is a patriotic pin related to German’s colonies in Africa. The pin has an Iron Cross in the center, with the dates 1914, 15-16, and 1917. Flanking the Iron Cross are small coins from the Belgian Congo. Each coin is dated 1910 and has a blue stone mounted in the center. It is quite striking. $175.00
22-52 COLONIAL WATCH FOB. This is a very engaging watch fob from the German colony of Südwest-Afrika. At one end is a silver-toned veteran’s medal measuring X" in diameter. It shows Kaiser Wilhelm II in his Garde du Corps Hohenzollern Eagle-topped helmet. On the reverse it states "zur Erinnerung an die Aufstände in Deutsch-Südwest-Afrika." Attached to that are four square links that measure 2 1/2" x 1/2." Inside the individual links are circular portraits of Hauptmann Franke, Major Vestorft, Oberst Leutwein and General von Trotha. The last link (General von Trotha) has no further attachment on it. This is a very unusual colonial item from the lesser-known of Germany’s two African colonies. $325.00
22-16 AWARD DOCUMENT FOR THE KOLONIALAUSZEICHNUNG BADGE. This document is for the award of the very popular Colonial Lion Badge in silver. The document measures 11 3/4" x 8 1/2" and is quite ornate. It displays numerous views that would have been appropriate for the colonies. The document is dated and bears the signature of Ritter von Epp, a well-known figure during and after WW I. The document has been reinforced on its reverse with period tape. $250.00 . . . .
18-111 GOBLET FOR A SWIMMING COMPETITION FROM CHINA. This is a most interesting and unique small loving cup with twin handles. It stands 2 3/4" tall. It is 2" in diameter at the rim and 1 3/8" at the base. This cup was awarded at the German colony of Tsingtau for a military swimming competition that was held on 16 August 1913. This cup was for 1st place in the competition. The cup comes with a wooden base that stands 1 1/8" tall. The cup can be set on the stand or not, as the new owner wishes. The cup has a heavy silver patina and has not been cleaned in decades. One must look very closely at the engraving on the cup to determine what it says. The cup was made in china and bears the name in both English and Chinese of the Chinese firm that produced it. A really attractive item from the German colonies. $295.00
This is a small silver loving cup used as a swimming award in the German colony of Tsingtau. It is from August 1913. It was first-prize in one of the swimming events. $295.00
22-39 SWIMMING TROPHY FROM THE GERMAN CHINESE COLONY.
22-46 COLONIAL LION BADGE - MINIATURE. This is a dazzling miniature example of the Colonial Lion Badge. The full size of this decoration was given to men who had served in the various German colonies. It features a magnificent lion on the obverse. This miniature is a faithful reproduction of its full-sized counterpart. It is well made and in excellent condition. $160.00
18-66 SMALL SPOONS MADE FROM 1/4 RUPIE COINS FROM GERMAN EAST AFRICA. These are the most interesting and delicate spoons I have ever encountered. They are handmade. The bowl of the spoon is actually a 1/4 Rupie coin from German East Africa. They are hammered into a bowl-like shape, which would allows them to be used to stir a beverage. The coins are dated from the early 1900's. The obverse shows Wilhelm II in his Garde du Corps helmet. The reverse has the denomination of the coin, date, and location. The shaft of the spoon is knurled and is topped by a small ball. I have four of these and each is a bit different. There is some obscuring of the coin markings where the hammering took place. $110.00 EACH
22-49 PAPER STAMP - GERMAN CONSULATE - BUSCHIR. This is a paper stamp
from this Middle Eastern German Consulate in December 1914, when the Consulate
was captured by British forces. It comes with a typewritten sheet which
explains in English the story behind this interesting item. It comes complete
with a Hohenzollern Eagle of the type used overseas in Germany’s possessions
and embassies.
$50.00
![]()
Links
to Our Pages
Der Rittmeister Content Pages:
Click here
for our Home Page |
Click for the Order Information Page |
Click here for Our Biography Page |
Click here to Meet the late, great Jack Hunter |