Soldier front cover

Snowman · 26th July 2021, 04:44 PM

I have this kind of iron soldier front cover.

It has been found in a swamp on the southern Estonian / Latvian border.

Does anyone know what time this could be. And which army used.

Notice the difference in the shape of the hand openings. Was it a form required to use a weapon? Sword? Or maybe a spring?

Long time away I saw similar- and there was I stamp- circle and inside cross- similar to a card deck cross.

regards...Snowman

corrado26 · 26th July 2021, 05:18 PM

I think this is German, First Woldwar and used in the trenches.

Snowman · 26th July 2021, 06:01 PM

Hmm?

Looks diffrent?

(Picture borrowed from "Pinterest")

Victrix · 26th July 2021, 08:41 PM

Armour used by machine gunners apparently. Perhaps it accounts for the enlarged arm opening on the right hand side? Otherwise I speculate it could be to swing and throw stick grenades.

David R · 26th July 2021, 10:49 PM

As soon as WW1 was mentioned I thought that was it. Local made rather than a factory job perhaps. A large arm hole to allow a rifle butt to fit on the shoulder.

Snowman · 27th July 2021, 06:20 AM

Maybe it's like that.

Those holes at the edge of the neckline and hand openings look like it had something riveted in it too- some kind of collar and sleeves?

Those metal fasteners are not original - this may have been stacked, perhaps with leather +rivets.

Well-was what was-an interesting piece of history this too.

26th July 2021, 04:44 PM	#1
Snowman Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 37	Soldier front cover I have this kind of iron soldier front cover. It has been found in a swamp on the southern Estonian / Latvian border. Does anyone know what time this could be. And which army used. Notice the difference in the shape of the hand openings. Was it a form required to use a weapon? Sword? Or maybe a spring? Long time away I saw similar- and there was I stamp- circle and inside cross- similar to a card deck cross. regards...Snowman Attached Images

26th July 2021, 06:01 PM	#3
Snowman Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 37	Hmm? Looks diffrent? (Picture borrowed from "Pinterest") Attached Images

26th July 2021, 08:41 PM	#4
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 695	Armour used by machine gunners apparently. Perhaps it accounts for the enlarged arm opening on the right hand side? Otherwise I speculate it could be to swing and throw stick grenades. Attached Images

27th July 2021, 06:20 AM	#6
Snowman Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 37	Maybe it's like that. Those holes at the edge of the neckline and hand openings look like it had something riveted in it too- some kind of collar and sleeves? Those metal fasteners are not original - this may have been stacked, perhaps with leather +rivets. Well-was what was-an interesting piece of history this too. Attached Images

26th July 2021, 05:18 PM	#2
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	I think this is German, First Woldwar and used in the trenches.

26th July 2021, 10:49 PM	#5
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	As soon as WW1 was mentioned I thought that was it. Local made rather than a factory job perhaps. A large arm hole to allow a rifle butt to fit on the shoulder.