German Awards - Member's Badge of the Bavarian Federation of Field Railway Manufacturers

This membership badge, or possibly also an honorary badge, was established by the Bavarian Feldeisenbacher Union. Until now, it has not been possible to establish an exact date for the creation of the Union or other information about the Union. Suppose the time is around 1920. In addition, the Union was supposed to be a member of the Imperial Union of German railway workers participating in the war of 1914-1918. He established and awarded special honorary badges to World War I veterans. Including medals of honor, federal and military memorials in 3 classes. The importance of the field railway began during the German-Danish War, when the railway first played an important role in transporting troops and materials. There Prussia fielded 1 battalion with 3 companies for the field railway. During the war of 1866, Bavaria also stationed 3 field railway detachments, which were disbanded after the war. During the war of 1870/71, Bavaria created a detachment of field railway workers, which, in turn, 1871 was disbanded. In 1872, King Ludwig II made a decision. Creation of permanent railway troops. On December 16, 1872, a railway company was established in Ingolstadt. It included: 36 railway workers, 10 locksmiths, 4 blacksmiths, 20 carpenters, 8 miners and 2 masons. On April 01, 1887, the 2nd Company was formed. In 1888, he moved to Munich, to the Oberwiesenfeld barracks. By this time, the crew of the field railway totaled 314 people. On October 01, 1893, the 3rd company was formed. It was followed by the 1st Automobile Department in 1902 and the Driving Department in 1908. The detachment consisted of 20 civilian technicians, 4 officers and about 200 people. Compared to Prussia, it was a small team. By the beginning of World War I, it had not increased significantly. How many former railway field workers in Bavaria joined the Union after the World War is unknown. Due to the small size of the team, a small number of members can be assumed. This badge is the only thing I know. The manufacturer was C. Pullath in Schrobenhausen.

High oval sign made of gilded copper alloy. The front side is enameled. Back side with flattened pin plate.

Front side:

• The edge is formed from a gilded laurel wreath tied crosswise from below.
• Straight, winged, gilded railway wheel.
• This with 4 stylized feathers rises slightly above the edge.
• The background is filled with golden-borated blue-white rhombuses.
• Above the wheel is a black enameled gold iron cross.
• Above it is a golden abbreviation - B.- F.- E.- B - Bayerischer-Feld-Railbahn-Bund.
• Under the wheel are the gold numbers of the year - 1914 - (-) - 18 -.

Downside:

• Smooth and gilded.
In the
• center is a vertical pin soldered with plates.
• On it, on the left, the manufacturer is C. POELLATH -, on the right - SCHROBENHAUSEN -.

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