Mützenbänder of Imperial Times

2nd.Leibhusar said:
Do you know what the difference is between the "Flieger" and the "Landflieger" ?
Thank you in advance ...
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So, from my limited knowledge, the Marine=Flieger=Abteilung was the first original designation this Marine division for Mützenband created and used throughout the war; these could be sea bases, or land bases. Then, in 1915 a specific designation of "Landflieger" was differentiated and a different version (Marine=Landflieger=Abteilung) Mützenband was used for the land based naval aerodromes. The "Landflieger" was for permanent ground based airfields (Nordholz, Kiel, Hage are some examples) where the Marine=Flieger=Abteilung was for all units, land based as well as seaplane bases as well before 1915. (Seeflugstation Kiel-Holtenau, Putzig, Warenmünde, Norderney) are some examples of a sea based unit. My educated guess is that personnel assigned to those sea bases still would wear the Marine=Flieger=Abteilung designation until the end of the war.

That is a very nice version in great condition you shared. I might have taken it myself, had it not been based in the Netherlands. I haven't ever purchased something from the Netherlands and with customs and tariffs being an issue for anything dealing with the USA, I wouldn't want to have any chances of being intercepted.

Best Regards
JustinG
 
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These bands are awesome. A whole world on their own! Only recently dove into these while reading up on the Marinekorps and their assault units. Any idea of they had specific bands for them also?
 
The Marinekorps had their own bands and by researching including their own band. There are several units and divisions. Worthy of it's own topic deep dive. Yes, it is very interesting. Lots of cool history.

Best Regards,
JustinG
Kaiserliches Marinekorps (Silver) Mützenband.jpg
 
Here are a couple of interesting Imperial Navy cap bands.

The first is a standard band from "S.M.S. Luebeck" but personalized souvenir dedication "Zur Erg (Erinnerung) Hans Clausa Juli 1915" inscribed on the ends of the band.

The second is 25 mm wide and apparently for a child's cap with a curious design consisting of "Kaiserl. Marine" using mock Chinese stylized lettering with a tall ship in the middle and crossed flags at either end. The ship is likely the S.M.S. Seeadler, a three-masted raider that participated in the Boxer Rebellion and related China service (which would account for the band's "Chinese" script).
 

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pjm said:
Here are a couple of interesting Imperial Navy cap bands.

The first is a standard band from "S.M.S. Luebeck" but personalized souvenir dedication "Zur Erg (Erinnerung) Hans Clausa Juli 1915" inscribed on the ends of the band.

The second is 25 mm wide and apparently for a child's cap with a curious design consisting of "Kaiserl. Marine" using mock Chinese stylized lettering with a tall ship in the middle and crossed flags at either end. The ship is likely the S.M.S. Seeadler, a three-masted raider that participated in the Boxer Rebellion and related China service (which would account for the band's "Chinese" script).
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Well, I haven't seen too many where someone has printed their service date on a specific band. The Kaiserl. Marine band I would like to see the reverse. Yes, it does have a three masted ship on the band, however, I really don't think that this can be definitively stated as the Seeadler. The Buzzard Class S.M.S. Seeadler had a funnel between the masts. IMHO, you really can't make that justification. I haven't come across a souvinier tally like this before. Thanks for posting, I would love to see the reverse stitching pattern. I find it a bit strange that only the month July 1915 was on the S.M.S. Luebeck Mützenband? Interesting..... Most sailors chose to modify their Mützenband, maybe mount on a backing with say a studio portrait or a photopostcard of their ship. The tally would be shortened. So having lettering and such on the distal ends I wouldn't think would be a common practice. A guess might be that this sailor might have served on a different unit and say "Swapped" bands with a sailor who was onboard the S.M.S. Luebeck? I'm just guessing..... Just a specific month listed with a year is very strange.....

That's my thoughts on this...

Best Regards,
JustinG
 
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Here are two photos of the reverse of the souvenir cap band.

I believe the dedication on the SMS Luebeck band is simply in the tradition of giving a memento or keepsake to a comrade, friend, family member or other individual commemorating some shared time or experience. It could be something service related, a trip to the Reeperbahn or any memorable moment that warranted a souvenir.
 

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I agree with that. The S.M.S. Luebeck is definitely a war time produced Mützenband. The dedication and script on the distal ends could be for any of the points you brought up. We'll never know for sure. Good speculation. Thank you for showing the reverse, this is a loomed piece as you can see. The detailing is quite impressive. I haven't come across a piece like this so, whatever I have to offer would be speculation. The reverse stitching is very nice and what you would expect from any period example (Kaiserliche, Reichsmarine, Kriegsmarine even early Bundesmarine/Volksmarine). Another speculation would be for a kinder (Child's) band. An interesting piece as well. Thanks for sharing this with us. @pjm

Best Regards,
JustinG
 
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