Description
PRUSSIA – SHAKO – ENLISTED MAN – MACHINE-GUN ABTEILUNG
This is a first time offering from Der Rittmeister Militaria and which I have long sought. It is an Enlisted Man’s (EM) shako for one of the two elite Guard Machine Gun Abteilung units. These units were formed in 1901 (Nr. 1) and 1902 (Nr.2) and were integrated into the infantry regiments early in the war so I doubt if these shakos saw more than thirteen or fourteen years of service at best.
Given the outstanding condition of this shako I would say it is a private purchase item that was bought late in the 1901-1914 time period. There is no evidence of depot markings and the quality of the shako speaks yo a private purchase. The over-all quality of this shako is outstanding. The leather, both inside and outside of the shako is clean and clear with no moth nips. The one kokarde, on the right, is the correct Enlisted Man Reich kokarde and the Feldzeichen (Field Insignia or badge) is the correct Black and white Prussian Enlisted Man configuration.
Note also the wappen is obviously a private purchase item of excellent quality and detail that is attached to the shako with screw posts as opposed to the usual loops found on Enlisted Man shakos. The wappen as you will further note displays the unit’s status as a Garde unit. Every individual part to the shako is 100% original and correct.
This is a rare and beautiful example of an Enlisted Man’s Machine Gun shako that is not often available in the market place. It is a rare opportunity for us to share this with you.
