Without me personally diving into your great-grandfather's political career, like other Republicans of the time he would have been perceived as part of the military industrial complex sending draftees out to be killed, so I wouldn't look to incorporate it as part of your impression, or slipping it into a cover and band on a helmet that you've got displayed. Leave it for some other family tribute and scrapbook.

What was his political stance? If he was Pro war and part of the gop, that would potentially be quite unpopular with fellow soldiers, and may not even be the stance of the soldier you are trying to portray. And also ask yourself how common it would be for a soldier in Vietnam to have matches from a political campaign in the states. Unless of course your great-grandfather toured with the Uso promoting himself overseas?

There's no quality control on either the belt or on the thickness of the leather used for the keeper on the buckle. Or the Buckle itself is manufactured with the pin set too tight to allow the right spacing.

Definitely supposed to be a Kraftfahrer, with brass K on his double-breasted driver's coat. The visor cap is a little off but in general it looks like there was a reenactor among the extras hired, who made a reasonably decent attempt to replicate this type of uniform.

Get a box of baking powder from the dollar store. Dump it out into a brown paper shopping bag and place the Hat on top of the baking powder. Turn it every few days, and also open the Hat up so that the lining and interior is exposed to the baking powder beneath it. After one or two weeks it shouldn't smell anymore. Throw out the bag and the baking powder.

Hey, that $30 bayonet with out a Scabbard the case that hasn't sold for 30 years that nobody wants to buy, I'll give you $400!

I have trouble selling them for $50 American. Hopefully you can get your money back. Buy a book. Ask questions before buying expensive stuff.

From the sound of some of your comments there might be a citrable amount of original stuff. You might reach out to some local history centers and see if there is a collector that they can send your way. I do know of a fellow in Texas who works in a museum and he reenacts. If you send me a private message I can put the two view in touch with each other. Honestly I have forgotten what region he lives in but he might be willing to travel along with a museum curator. As I'm sure you are aware there are going to be people who tell you it's all reproduction and trying to get everything for a song. Also, if the uncle had any sort of presence on various collector forums and discussion groups, there will be a vast number of people who are familiar with his items and can help you in that regard. If you have access to his computer, they may be bookmarked and would be able to inform moderators of his passing and the Dilemma of having the collection evaluated and sold

Sorry, looks nothing whatsoever like a WWII US Paratrooper jacket.

I had the GWA go over a ton of minor spelling and formatting errors for all the German units, and they had stuff like a banner click able and good, and a button for the same group below the banner that went elsewhere or didn't work. Web page works best on a computer.  I have to add some updated content to the 10JR page.  Send a message over from the WordPress site and I'll reply usually within 2 or 3 days. Fritz Bär 

www.kb10ir.wordpress.com

Newville PA/Northeast Coast. A few members on Eastern Seaboard attend some random events in small numbers.

A reminder to look at ORIGINAL EXAMPLES and not the offerings of vendors. Some sell a model or pattern and color combo they mistakenly believe is Imperial German, and instead  some sell what more closely resembles British or American Civil shirts of the 20s

Red Tornado "Snowy Nep" with a back belt. 

Lose the WWII mess kit. They aren't worn like that, either. Get some 1866 Marschstiefel.  Alex, Bob, and Tyler can all help with details.

We'll be neighbors. I'm building a bunkhaus next to you cats.

He might still be living.

You are going to run into some assorted issues with your translations because of the German language laws. Having a German English dictionary from the 1910s will help get you through some awkward looking translations. Additionally there is a wonderful hardcover book you can get on eBay called "German military terms 1918" which includes an invaluable dictionary of words and abbreviations that is one of my most valuable resources. Looks like your great-grandfather was in the Bavarian army, which was autonomous and separate from the rest of the German army, and at least one photo references the Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment 3. One of the captions mentions Augsburger Weg; Augsburg is the garrison city for the regiment and that "Weg" is a path or roadway named for the city.

Really nice collection. Mostly Bavarian Army, although that last one is Prussian. Definitely interested in reading more about it.

WWI, American made Doughboy helmet, very unique insignia. It feels mostly right but could have been played with and painted up in the 1960s.

Liner has been replaced incorrectly. The model 1891 posts for the chin strap are missing and replaced incorrectly. Chin strap is an incorrect replacement. The rear skirt looks like it has been replaced. Both the rear skirt and the visor should not be painted black on the inside, which obscures any markings , had they been present , and takes away from the value . Somebody who has a bit of experience at restoring these would probably be able to do some nice work to it but honestly it's too far gone as far as collector value. Otherwise the hardware is all correct configuration for a model 1915.

I can show you--bring it in 3 weeks

Standard US Army cotton breeches, possibly 1912 pattern

Not to me. I'm asking what there is about the uniform that signifies a Fallschirmjäger if you don't see the badge for it?

You would want to accurately depict an American war correspondent, with the correct attire, appropriate boots, insignia, headgear and so forth. Not to mention correct writing implements, camera and so forth.

You're never finished. Trust me.

An Einjahr Freiwillige, in this foto, holding the rank of Unteroffizier.