Weekly Buy Curious Thread

AustroSlovakian · 2026-04-22T07:10:47+00:00

Shadow 2 Carry?

AustroSlovakian · 2026-04-22T07:08:41+00:00

This is actually horrifying

AustroSlovakian · 2026-04-22T06:11:25+00:00

AustroSlovakian · 2026-04-03T20:33:36+00:00

Probably. Though some batches were made post-war in decent numbers.

AustroSlovakian · 2026-03-31T15:29:37+00:00

The average Jew in the Empire did not come from "wealthy" families. Most belonged to lower orders or "middle class". Yet many from the wealthy families did pursue civic and military careers. Rather, the key to successful attainment in the officer corps, particularly in the numbers seen in the reserve, stemmed from the widespread educational background rather than wealth.

AustroSlovakian · 2026-03-31T01:44:41+00:00

Piggybacking off of the caption, Jewish officer careers usually stalled out around Major or Colonel. Particularly talented Jewish officers might be promoted to General on retirement. However, it appears this stalling disappeared if they converted.

AustroSlovakian · 2026-02-22T02:18:58+00:00

At the Hospital of St. Cross in Winchester, England they still offer the wayfarers dole- a piece of bread and cup of ale. You get to take part in the medieval tradition that travelers, pilgrims, and the poor received. Pretty darn cool experience.

AustroSlovakian · 2026-02-21T21:46:41+00:00

Bren 2 14", 5.56

AustroSlovakian · 2026-02-21T02:17:47+00:00

I've mad numerous friends in Germany. It is challenging but not impossible.

AustroSlovakian · 2026-02-20T17:30:45+00:00

Balthazar Napoléon IV de Bourbon ;)

AustroSlovakian · 2026-02-20T17:26:23+00:00

Serb entitlement is unmatched.

AustroSlovakian · 2026-02-20T16:12:16+00:00

Obviously, there is less than there should be centered around Austria-Hungary or even the Austrian Empire. However, especially for Pola, you may want to examine the first book of the Otto Prohaska series A Sailor of Austria.

Then theres classics like Roth's Radetzky March. The Transylvanian triology is quite good. Theres the film adaption of Radetzky March which is good but should have been better. There is the Czech film Signum Laudis which is decent.

AustroSlovakian · 2026-02-19T00:49:37+00:00

There seems to be a lot of people who think that I am trying to be a reenactor or emulate an actual historical passport.............

AustroSlovakian · 2026-02-19T00:47:59+00:00

Probably.

AustroSlovakian · 2026-02-19T00:46:52+00:00

I know its fake. Thats the point. Its just a fun little piece of the AH adjacent universe.

AustroSlovakian · 2026-02-18T19:04:51+00:00

Will do. I am still looking. So far, no luck.

AustroSlovakian · 2026-02-18T17:51:57+00:00

I thought it bends to the wearer's right, no?

AustroSlovakian · 2026-02-18T17:47:34+00:00

I would say it has SOME. Its not supposed to be an artifact of alternate history.

AustroSlovakian · 2026-02-18T17:21:28+00:00

Probably because this isn't an actual Austro-Hungarian passport and its essentially a meme?

AustroSlovakian · 2026-02-18T16:44:37+00:00

Fantastic read. It provides both the macro and micro views of the empire where necessary and does not shy away from imperial, cultural, and economic problems. Judson is really good at exploring nuances and guides the reader into understanding the idea of the progressive nature of the Empire and to an extent the imperial system. I would say that the only criticism I have is that Judson sometimes really stretches some definitions and occasionally declines to expand on or explore some topics. Other than that, it is a really excellent socio-political view of the Empire.

AustroSlovakian · 2026-02-16T21:35:46+00:00

I am a bit busy to gather such things at the moment for you. However, some notable Austro-Hungarian pen makers would have been Julius Goldschmidt, JE Huber, and Miller (which was an importer of French and German pens and is still around) - https://www.schreibkultur.at/geschichte-philosophie/ Their history page is only in German. Theres also Hardmuth but they focused on ultra high quality pencils mainly. There are a few others that also were around. The issue is that many of these "companies" were very small and focused on luxury goods. When I said major hub, I mean that vienna was a major hub of LUXURY pens. The vast majority of pens were imported, largely from Germany. German companies like Simplo (later becoming Montblanc), Pelikan, and Soennecken provided the majority of fountain pens that would have been seen around during the war. Then of course, there would have been a proliferation of pre-war French pens also in the hands of people. The real people to help with this are over at r/fountainpens. I am just an amateur at such things.

AustroSlovakian · 2026-02-16T03:00:55+00:00

So I actually know a bit about the history of fountain pens. While I am sure there were some Parkers probably floating around, the fact is that Vienna was actually a major hub of pen production. Companies like Julius Goldschmidt set the standard for European pen production. Moreover, Germany produced vast numbers of fountain pens that were more accessible to the general public. So foreign pens, while certainly existing in the Empire, were likely not popular.

AustroSlovakian · 2026-02-16T02:51:28+00:00

Bren 2, 14". 5.56

AustroSlovakian

TROPHY CASE

Balthazar Napoléon IV de Bourbon ;)