Belgium 1916 WW1

[Grenadier]

Old Fat German Soldier in Belgium

[Charles Isaac]

    He's fat? Yer kiddin! Have you seen today's Army?



    Cool picture!

[Scattered Thumbs]

 

    He's fat? Yer kiddin! Have you seen today's Army?



    Cool picture!

And he might not be very old either, them beards can sometimes fool you. 

[pony express]

He's not that fat, but...compared to many soldiers I have seen pictures of from that era, he's not skinny either. Odd thing, though, of all the pictures I have seen from late 1800s through just before WW1, the most likely country for "portly" soldiers seems to be Germany.

[Charles Isaac]

    Yes, some of the Germans do tend to be big! It does look like that guy has some gear/loot or something stuffed in his coat. No leaves on the trees so it's cold and it might be for warmth or he's trying to keep things like some food from freezing or whatever.

[pony express]

I didn't notice that-looks kind of rectangular-maybe a flask in an inside pocket........

[Charles Isaac]

-maybe a flask in an inside pocket........

    I like the way you think. I thought flask too,  but didn't want to say that-might give people the wrong idea

[Grenadier]

Gentlemen, your responses are very flattering. I did not mean to dupe or pull the wool over your eyes....thats me! That image is not even a week old yet.

[Charles Isaac]

    Wow, you did good on that one!

    I can usually pick out the antiqued pictures because the gear will almost always be too clean and perfect like it's on a museum mannequin. In that picture, there's actually some wrinkles and dirt going on there and it even looks like the leather has been used and could use some polish. The gear stuffed in the coat was a nice touch

[Scattered Thumbs]

So, how old are you anyway? 

[Pitspitr]

Gentlemen, your responses are very flattering. I did not mean to dupe or pull the wool over your eyes....thats me! That image is not even a week old yet.

So, what was under the jacket? I'm thinking a book?

[pony express]

Wow. We gotta get you out to a Muster sometime.

[Delmonico]

People are always saying there were no fat cowboys, a staged picture by Solomon Butcher from 1887, but doubt they made the chaps for the big guy just for the picture.   

The guy to the left in the boiler suit (coveralls)  is also a bit interesting because people never think of that.

[pony express]

Guy standing on the far right is no string bean either. And it seems you never see a gun rig like his at a SASS match either-holster seems to be hanging from any ordinary trouser belt. And it's got a nice "John Wayne" slant on the belt, too.

[Tascosa Joe]

The "big guy" in Delmonico's picture looks female to me.

[Grenadier]

So, what was under the jacket? I'm thinking a book?

My wallet, notebook and wireless communication device.

[River City John]

My wallet, notebook and wireless communication device.

Der iPod?



RCJ

[Ol Gabe]

RCJ asked..."Der iPod?"
Yup, it is in fact the replica model of the infamous 'Der Electronicker Messenger Gesenderisch' packaged in the new 'Trunk Unterblousen Interiorisch Portabler Gecasen'. Alas, the DEMG didn't catch on as it was prone to getting damaged during field exercises when the Troops were ordered to get down and assume the prone position for rapid fire.
The TUIPG was then favored as a spot for flasks, smokes and extra copies of Troop entertainment magazines as well as any available pairs of Ladies stockings, the type used as barter when needed on break at the local Beirhouse.
Hope this helps clears it up somewhat, my meager knowledge of this era was lacking in definitive data but this seemed to fit.   
With tongue firmly planted in cheek,
I remain,
'Ol Gabe

[Delmonico]

The "big guy" in Delmonico's picture looks female to me.

Couldn't be, were told wimmin never wore pants back then.

[Tascosa Joe]

True