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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Trench Equipment Identification


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Hi,

 

I recently bought this postcard on eBay and was wondering what object/equipment exactly was the soldier in the middle hodling in his hands. I would be glad if someone could identify it.

 

Thank you!

German Soldiers Posing in Trench ZOOM.jpg

German Soldiers Posing in Trench.jpg

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It’s his pipe! Rather exotic one at that. Google Bavarian longpipes and you’ll see lots of examples.

 

Doug.

 

Edited by Doug504
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Behind the pipe is a "flash light" type torch. In Germany this style with a tab to hang off a button on the tunic were popular in both wars. The lens is a "bug-eye" moulded glass lens over a small 3V bulb and the body of the torch holds an old style of disposable battery that went out of production in the 1960s that looked like two "D" batteries joined together.

 

With the pipe, these were very popular in the period. Both pre-war and between the wars, these were made with porcelain bowls decorated with regimental motifs and sold to ex-service men. Years ago, it used to be a theme of militaria collecting to collect German regimental pipes, beer steins and spirit flasks.

 

Cheers

Ross

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