Poland 1938

About 20 years ago had a few conversations with a gentleman whom was a avid Polish P35 collector. He knew my name from the acknowledgement page of Bob Berger's The Radom Pistol booklet published in 1981 and eventually crossed paths with another collector whom knew me. In appreciation, he sent me a Polish Army breast badge and a period box camera photo of Polish troops on the march. I had the photo enlarged to 8 x 11, so posted it, the original and comments on the reverse... both in Polish and German, but have yet to translate them. Note the Wz29s they carry as well. Thought some of our Forum members might find it interesting...

In Polish it says: “November 29th, 1938, Return to barracks after Oath Ceremony”.

They went to fulfill that Oath less than a year later.
November 29th is an anniversary of “November Uprising” against Russia in 1830, which is used for official ceremonies.

Much appreciation tok38 for the translation. It then becomes a rather poignant snapshot of things to come...

It also locates it to town of Grudziadz

Thanks for the location as well. It finally dawned on me there was one spot I had not checked for the Polish badge given me, and found it there. Badge measures about 1 & 5/8 inches wide/high. Nice blue enamel over brass and it has a bit of weight to it, too...

Badge of the 21st Vistula Uhlan Regiment

Thanks Bert.f for identifying the Polish breast badge! I was doing some internet searching and ended up on Ebay this afternoon. There I found a reproduction of this badge attributed to the Polish 21st Uhlan Regiment. Good to know they were from the Vistula region. Also looked up the regiment on WIKI. From the accounts they fought well and to virtual extinction against the Germans...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_Vistula_Uhlan_Regiment

pwcosol said:

Thanks for the location as well. It finally dawned on me there was one spot I had not checked for the Polish badge given me, and found it there. Badge measures about 1 & 5/8 inches wide/high. Nice blue enamel over brass and it has a bit of weight to it, too...

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I hope that you are aware that your badge is a copy made post war. Here is an original for comparison.

Had no certainty it was one or the other, as the repro I saw on Ebay (attached below) now appears closer to the example you pictured. Did not find any like the badge I posted either. So, what was the purpose of the earlier reproduction... for Polish war veterans, collectors, etc.? Never sought after such items, other than keeping a few rank and EGA insignia from my time in the USMC...

pwcosol said:

Had no certainty it was one or the other, as the repro I saw on Ebay (attached below) now appears closer to the example you pictured. Did not find any like the badge I posted either. So, what was the purpose of the earlier reproduction... for Polish war veterans, collectors, etc.? Never sought after such items, other than keeping a few rank and EGA insignia from my time in the USMC...

Click to expand...

Your badge as indicated by nut was made by Panasiuk, who was a badge maker active in 70s till 90s making all kinds of reproductions for collector market. He made regimental badges, eagles and medals. During period before the war certain makers made certain badges for certain units and that knowledge who made what is important in such collecting. Badges made by Panasiuk are collected by themselves currently since originals can cost thousands of dollars, especially for rare and cavalry units. Badge I posted is probably worth around $2000 in today’s market.

the badge comes from the well-known engraving company of Andrzej Panasiuk. He makes both modern military badges and replicas of old military badges. The company has been operating since 1975
the company still operates today

Thanks to all for your input. Will consider the badge I have a honorarium to the gallantry and sacrifice of the 21st Uhlan Regiment.

Lost regimental flag of 68th infantry regiment was found few weeks ago by volunteer research group associated with Army Museum in Sochaczew, near Warsaw. 68th regiment took part in Bzura battle. It was trying to break through German encirclement and reach Warsaw and then they decided to split up and to hide their regimental flag to prevent its capture by Germans. When in 1940 Germans were searching the area of its hiding place in search for hidden weapons and equipment, flag was relocated to different location that was lost in time.
Flag was put in steel milk bottle which unfortunately was not hermetic and allowed moisture to get in. Because of that its present condition is bad, but still its survival is a testament to soldiers of 68th regiment.
There are still few regimental flags which wait to be found. No Polish regimental flag fell to German hands as a result of combat on battlefield.

pwcosol said:

Had no certainty it was one or the other, as the repro I saw on Ebay (attached below) now appears closer to the example you pictured. Did not find any like the badge I posted either. So, what was the purpose of the earlier reproduction... for Polish war veterans, collectors, etc.? Never sought after such items, other than keeping a few rank and EGA insignia from my time in the USMC...

Click to expand...

Enlisted version for sale.