Questions tagged [identification]
Use this tag for questions looking to identify or classify an object, image, or person, or to otherwise place them in historical context. Make sure to include as much detail as you already know about the mystery object, preferably including photographs, if applicable.
454
questions
0
votes
0
answers
31
views
Can you identify this sword?
My step father brought this sword back from ww2. He was in the army in Europe (Germany & France). Sword blade has a bend. Markings on hand show a name 'Georg Duve'. Also the blade has 'F H' on it (...
- 1
1
vote
0
answers
56
views
What do the marking on these artillery shell casings in brass and steel mean?
I have two artillery shell casings, one brass, one steel that appear identical, height 229mm/9.0" app', base diameter 91mm/3.575" app', body diameter 81mm/3.190" app, I.D. diameter 75mm/...
- 11
2
votes
1
answer
128
views
What are these shell case markings?
I have this shell case which was handed down in my family. We know very little about it and wondered if anyone can help identify the markings. I would be very grateful for any assistance.
- 21
1
vote
1
answer
213
views
What are these historic tools?
I ask this question under to on topic heading of 'cultures and historical practices.'
Can anyone identify these two objects?
I thought the silver rod was either some kind of sewing or medical ...
- 113
21
votes
3
answers
4k
views
What is this metal box for, and where is it from?
The box was acquired at a thrift shop, no known provenance. It consists of a metal body with curved sides and a lid with a small handle that sits on top without being secured in any way. The inside is ...
- 8,919
1
vote
1
answer
210
views
What could be the origin of this polychrome wooden statue?
I purchased this statue at an estate sale. I initially thought it was depicting a Wise Man from a nativity scene, but the back is flat indicating it was against a wall.
Now I'm thinking it was ...
- 19
1
vote
0
answers
205
views
What is the uniform in this photo of my Great Grandmother’s father?
My Great Great Grandfather - Assuming late 1800s. Possibly Germany? Looking to identify the uniform or badge on the hat.
I have no other background information. Any thoughts are appreciated.
0
votes
1
answer
249
views
What is all the equipment used by the Russian imperial army?
What is the equipment shown in this image?
I would like to know what the belts are and what some of the other equipment is and if you know where to buy them that would be helpful.
thank you to ...
10
votes
1
answer
4k
views
What is the origin and rank of this military uniform?
Uncle got this, I believe in desert storm. Dunno how he got it and he didn't wanna talk about it so I didn't ask. Please help me identify the origin and rank.
- 101
2
votes
0
answers
137
views
What is my Grandpa's collar insignia?
This is a photograph of my grandpa, Douglas Howard. At his retirement, I believe he was a Major in the Devon and Dorset, but my info is vague. This was a photo he gave to his future wife, and my ...
- 21
0
votes
0
answers
89
views
Identification of a WW1 German shell casing?
I have what I believe is a German WW1 shell casing. It is marked RhMF (54?) MARZ 1918 Düsseldorf. Approximately 8 1/2” diameter, 9 1/8” tall, 12 1/2 pounds.
Any information would be much appreciated.
5
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Who is this decorated WWI Italian Army General?
This has been a tough one. I'm trying to identify who this is. He's an Italian General, and a highly decorated one, with four medals of valour, two crosses of war merit (Croce al Merito di Guerra), ...
- 51
2
votes
1
answer
529
views
What nationality are the soldiers in these WW2 pictures?
These pictures were taken in the immediate post-war, 1945 or 1946 I guess, somewhere in central Europe (Austria, Czech Republic or Poland). I have blurred the faces because the pictures come from a ...
0
votes
1
answer
120
views
Is this old oval copper coin Chinese?
Can someone identify this old hand-stamped copper coin? Is it possibly Chinese?
- 19
1
vote
0
answers
84
views
Which British WW1 regiment is shown in this photograph?
This is a photograph of my Grandfather John Wilson who was born in Randlestown, Northern Ireland in February 1885. He moved to Scotland and served in WW1. He survived the war and died on 31st December ...
2
votes
0
answers
92
views
Identification of military uniform, probably French or Italian
I'm trying to ID someone's military uniform in an old family photo. Not a lot of clues to go on, except that the man was probably French or Italian, maybe in a colonial setting. Perhaps someone can ...
anon
3
votes
1
answer
132
views
Military uniform identification ?French
This photo comes from a collection from my great grandmother. When she was in her 20's she is supposed to have been nanny to this officer's children. Supposedly his name was Jean Lerede and he was ...
- 31
12
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Help identifying an old bayonet
I was helping my parents move into a new place recently and my dad and I came across this old bayonet that my grandfather had given to my dad. My dad doesn't know anything of its history, so I'm ...
- 223
1
vote
0
answers
170
views
Which uniform is this soldier wearing?
I think this uniform could be from the hussars, possibly 1800s. I have examined pages from the Imperial War Museum but had no luck.
- 21
5
votes
1
answer
1k
views
New Zealand uniform or elsewhere?
I am trying to identify the man in this photo and thought I'd start with the uniform. The photo was among New Zealand photos, but I don't see the NZ on his badge.
I'd be grateful for any information.
- 51
0
votes
0
answers
276
views
What kind of uniform is this, with a closed collar on a WWI British General?
The British Army's Service Dress uniform "has been referred to as No. 2 Dress, with the tunic being swapped out for a jacket with an open collar for wear with collared shirt and tie." King ...
2
votes
1
answer
167
views
Can anyone identify this European uniform? Likely Belgian or French
Does anyone recognise the uniform in this photo?
I found it in a box of my late Grandma's photos and letters. She was Belgian, and I know some of our ancestors were in the French military thanks to a ...
- 21
0
votes
0
answers
68
views
Identification of Stalingrad memorabilia medallions
Some time in the 1970s, an academic from Riga, Latvia, visited my grandfather (a physicist) in the UK and gave these Stalingrad "medals" (for want of a better word) to his sons. 50 years on, ...
- 101
0
votes
0
answers
120
views
Does anyone recognize these uniforms?
Need assistance identifying the country of origin of a painting depicting men at war. I have also included pictures of the back in case anyone knows the language and can narrow it down. The language ...
13
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What do the insignias on the collar shown in this photograph stand for?
Photo of my grandfather circa 1918-1945. He was born in Trieste and was in the merchant marines before jumping ship in US. Joined the US Army and was recruited as an agent for the OSS. Trying to ...
- 131
1
vote
0
answers
217
views
Is this a real 400 year old (brass or bronze ) coin?
what the seller told me about this coin:
It’s a 400 year old coin, it was found in Pakistan and he said some thing like mintmultani (may be it’s a language or name of a place), students from China ...
- 11
2
votes
0
answers
151
views
Could anyone please help me identify who this is meant to be?
I recently purchased this bust at an estate sale. It was advertised as an Egyptian goddess, but I don't think that is accurate at all. It looks to be more Asian in design. Any ideas who it is meant to ...
- 21
0
votes
0
answers
60
views
Can someone please help me identify these ming dynasty coins?
It would be helpful if someone could identify these coins for me. I would primarily be interested in the size of these coins.
- 101
2
votes
1
answer
190
views
Is this a Russian naval uniform?
This is a family photo of a relative who might have been in the Imperial Russian Navy in 1915.
3
votes
1
answer
316
views
What is the original provenance of Lincoln's "of the people, by the people, for the people" and why is Wikipedia so confused?
I was curious about the provenance of Abraham Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address proclamation regarding government "of the people, by the people, for the people", so I looked it up on ...
- 141
5
votes
1
answer
886
views
Can you identify the markings on this WW1 trench art?
enter image description hereCan anyone help me decode these markings?
9
votes
0
answers
112
views
Who was Ribeiro Pacheco, Portuguese journalist in colonial Mozambique during the 1960s/70s?
I am stuck in the search for information about Portuguese journalists in colonial Mozambique and would like to ask for help. I've asked the question already on /Historiaemportugues/ on Reddit, and was ...
- 91
9
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Identification of the dagger/mini sword which has been in my family for as long as I can remember (and I am 80 years old)
I don't know anything of its provenance and the handle is probably not original. The blade is 14.75 inches (37.5 cm) long from tip to the start of the handle. Although I am not an expert, the marking ...
3
votes
1
answer
806
views
How can I identify this RAF pin badge?
I am trying to identify the man in the photo below, and I am hoping that his uniform in this picture gives some clues. I am told he was in the RAF, though I know nothing of his role. The pin badge/...
- 545
0
votes
0
answers
86
views
Can you identify this, possibly Italian, uniform?
I'm trying to identify this uniform and info on the men. My grandfather is in the picture.
I'm told it's from WWI in Italy.
Can someone help me on this. My grandfather was born in 1901.
- 1
5
votes
1
answer
277
views
Help identifying Italian uniform, rank, regiment
I'm hoping to learn the time period of the photo, any division, rank, and any other information y'all can glean. The photo was passed down so much information has been lost - it is possibly my ...
- 51
6
votes
1
answer
736
views
Who are the three people in the Twilight Struggle card "Red Scare / Purge"?
Image of card in question:
Who are the three people in the image?
The card comes with flavor text:
Sparked by fears that the “enemy is among us,” the “red scare” hit its apex with Senator Joseph ...
- 6,125
1
vote
0
answers
175
views
Is this a Stone Age artefact? [closed]
Found these in my garden some time ago. It looks like it may have been worked but also just happens to fit into my hand. Could this be a Stone Age tool of some sort?
The second example looks more ...
- 111
4
votes
0
answers
191
views
Can you identify a location based on the traditional dress in a photo from WW2?
Could anyone assist us in identifying the possible location of this photo, based on the woman's dress? My grandfather is in the photo, which was taken during WW2. We know that he served in both the ...
- 41
2
votes
0
answers
162
views
Can anyone help identifying markings on this artillery shell casing?
Inherited this shell casing from my grandfather who emigrated from England around war time (WW2) but I don't have any real information or dates. My mother just remembers it always being around. My ...
- 21
3
votes
0
answers
166
views
Is this an 1800's British military uniform?
The photo is of my great-great-grandfather Timothy J. Coffey who lived in Ireland early to mid-1800s
My great-great-grandfather was likely born in Ireland in early 1800's. His daughter Mary T. Coffey ...
- 31
15
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is the first recorded contact with Taiwan by Europeans?
Apparently every book and website on or accessible through the internet repeats the exact same "they say..." "everyone knows..." story about the first European contact with Taiwan.¹...
- 2,033
11
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What military uniform is this?
William Charles Elliot, born in England in 1884, came to the United States as an alien in 1916 and settled in Boston with his wife Anna, who was born in Belgium in 1879 (her parents were from Hungary) ...
- 111
1
vote
1
answer
162
views
Identify the country, service and historical context of this bright red dress uniform, and ideally the nature of the medals. Relationship to Taiwan?
While touring around Google street view I discovered an unusual "AK47 Barber Bus" in Hsinchu Taiwan. https://goo.gl/maps/BBD2aouKVYHDMbBV9 I've included some screenshots of a uniform I found ...
- 1,775
6
votes
1
answer
147
views
What are this tunic and badge?
Can anyone identify this tunic and badge from the mid 1800’s. Similar to a Doggett Coat and Badge but isn’t. I assume it relates to London.
The tunic and badge is shown in the picture and what ...
- 61
5
votes
1
answer
149
views
Is this a French uniform, and what is the time period?
Sorting through French family pictures, papers and glass slides.
Trying to put names to faces.
The picture below is the same gentleman (on the right) with his brother, who he had just bumped in to on ...
- 51
6
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What is this pin?
This was my grandmother’s pin. She was born in 1905 and educated in Alabama. Graduated from Judson college with a degree in violin.
Small black diamond shaped lapel pin with two gold stars.
- 61
14
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Which Scottish regiment is the Queen inspecting in this photo?
Among some photos & newspaper cuttings found in a relative's study after he died, was the photo below, which seems to show the late Queen inspecting a guard of honour wearing Scottish uniforms.
Is ...
- 797
2
votes
0
answers
150
views
Can anyone identify this 1900 Russian or Cossack uniform?
This is a picture of my grandmother and her parents.
- 21
3
votes
0
answers
123
views
What is the context for these Napoleonic(?) sketches?
I'd be interested to know if anyone can put the pictures in this frame into a context. They were found in the eaves of my late father-in-law's house on Cornwall when the house was being cleared two ...