Identification help needed

Todd · Wed Oct 14, 2015 11:41 am

Clearly European - does anyone recognize the uniform? Nationality?

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Couvi · Wed Oct 14, 2015 4:19 pm

I don't know the nationality, but what i going on with those stirrups?

Todd · Wed Oct 14, 2015 5:30 pm

Here's closeup of the uniform details - might be helpful...

: unknown_image2.jpg (86.1 KiB) Viewed 10027 times

Todd · Wed Oct 14, 2015 5:42 pm

Closeup of saddle - stirrup looks like it's been wrapped in cord. Maybe to cut down shine and give traction for muddy boots?

: unknown_image3.jpg (107.01 KiB) Viewed 10026 times

Jim Bewley · Wed Oct 14, 2015 7:10 pm

From the looks of the hat, I want to say Polish, but merely a guess.

selewis · Wed Oct 14, 2015 8:09 pm

Maybe they're wrapped to accomodate the hob nail boots.

Pat Holscher · Thu Oct 15, 2015 6:17 am

I think that those deep garrison caps were a Belgian army thing, coming in late WWI and sticking around in the 1920s. I know we have a Belgian participant here and perhaps he'll let us know if I'm right or wrong.

tmarsh · Thu Oct 15, 2015 7:38 am

My first though twas also Belgian, the saddle would fit with that: hat. But the stirrups look like the austro-hungarian type wrapped?

tmarsh · Thu Oct 15, 2015 7:39 am

Saddle also fits as a polish type.

tmarsh · Thu Oct 15, 2015 7:40 am

Saddle also fits as a polish type.

Todd · Thu Oct 15, 2015 7:41 am

tmarsh is on the track.... but which clue?

tmarsh · Thu Oct 15, 2015 7:44 am

Stirrups?

Tom Muller · Thu Oct 15, 2015 11:53 am

Hi guys,

he is not sitting on his crotch but rather the buttocks. The way he holds the reins is also not very professional. Is he from a mounted unit? The boots look hungarian to me but might be of the old ulan type, sp maybe polish?.
The stirrups are the typical austro-hungarian type as Tom mentioned correctly. The wrapping was often done to keep the cold from passing through the stirrup into the boots.

Tom

Joseph Sullivan · Sat Oct 17, 2015 9:47 am

Not sure the uniform. As Tom points out, the rider's seat and posture are bad. That horse is also hollow as can be. Sure doesn't look like a well-trained rider.

Anulf · Sun Oct 18, 2015 10:15 pm

This photo is supposed to be Hungarian. Cap and uniform looks similar.

I liked the quick change bit and reins.

: Hungarian Cavalry #1.jpg (61.96 KiB) Viewed 9957 times

Todd · Mon Oct 19, 2015 5:24 am

Anulf wrote:This photo is supposed to be Hungarian. Cap and uniform looks similar.

I liked the quick change bit and reins.

Hungarian Cavalry #1.jpg

Winner!

Took me some time at first but the somewhat unusual 6-pointed star insignia helped alot.

Private First Class of Austro-Hungarian cavalry. Fascinating large front pommel bags.

Nice photo from Anulf - interesting combo headgear on the horse!

Pat Holscher · Mon Oct 19, 2015 5:54 am

Anulf wrote:This photo is supposed to be Hungarian. Cap and uniform looks similar.

I liked the quick change bit and reins.

Hungarian Cavalry #1.jpg

What's the date and context of that photo?

Anulf · Mon Oct 19, 2015 9:47 am

i was doing some research on the 1st and 2nd Hungarian Hussars in WWII for a book I was writing. Some photos kind of ended up in a generic "Hungarian Hussar" file. Unfortunately the info on them has been lost or misplaced at the moment. This particular photo may be of a Hungarian border patrol shortly after the war when they were still using horses to patrol the Carpathians etc. I will have to see if i can identify the barrel of the rifle over his shoulder.

Here is another natty Hungarian uniform:

: Hungarian Huszar.jpg (23.67 KiB) Viewed 9940 times

And here is a more combat orientated photo:

: Hungarian 1st Cav Brigade #1.jpg (67.76 KiB) Viewed 9940 times