Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Vienna
 

I cannot see that the Forum has a specific section for Museums, so I have inserted this topic in the Other military Topics section.

I was blessed whilst on a trip to Croatia & Austria during October, to have been able to spend a morning in the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum in the city of Vienna. This is an absolutely SUPERB museum exhibiting a great variety of artifacts from the military history of Austria & primarily during the Hapsburg dynasty.

Being a naval collector I was primarily interested in the K und K Marine (Imperial & Royal Navy), but I was able to view the Great War displays & particularly the Sarejevo display, these being located on the main(ground) floor. I did not have the time to get up to the second level, perhaps next time!
You would require at least the full day to view the entire building.

The museum is very large, being housed in what was once the Arsenal of the K u K monarchy. Construction commenced in 1848. The museum survived both world wars but sustained considerable damage from bombing during
2WW. Complete rebuilding commenced in 1946, many of the exhibits being redesign & reworked to what they appear today.
To quote from the catalogue: "the collection exhibited in the main building, which has kept its character as a total work of art up to the present day, portrays about 500 years of Austrian & European history, and thousands of original and unique objects shown represent an integral part of the cultural heritage of the world."

The displays were stunning & I was able to take many photos.
I would like to share some of the photos I took of the exhibits I viewed & I will try to add photos as time goes on...

Please enjoy!
Bryan

Firstoff, a view of the outside of the Museum:
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...pse8vflwtd.jpg

There are two long side halls leading off from the main building:
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psmlyvrg4u.jpg

Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Vienna
 

View from the entrance into the Hall of the Commanders, featuring 56 life size marble statues of Austrian Army Commanders. On either side of this main hall branch off the two long halls on both floors:


http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psaouitvw6.jpg

Thanks for this Bryan. It looks very impressive. Can't wait to see the rest of your photos.

Ian

Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Vienna
 

Thank you Ian, appreciate your interest.
I have many photos but it will tak me some time, & as my time permits, to gradually upload them.

Bryan


Looking down one of the long hallways leading to the display area:
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psw4qpf5uh.jpg

Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Vienna
 

K und K Cavalry Uniforms of the 29th century period, these uniforms were very very impressive!

Shooting thru glass to try to avoid the lighting reflection is a challenge but I think these two shots came out very well. With a few shots I got lucky!

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps43tgg4b5.jpg

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...pszx60bu5h.jpg

Great photographs hope to visit one day

Sincerely

Stephen

Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Vienna
 

Uniform of an Oberstleutnant KuK Landes Schutzen Reg't Nr III:

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psogpstwgp.jpg

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psccocqwuu.jpg

Yes, very nice. I could see myself spending a whole day there.

Thanks again.

Ian

Nice pictures.

BTW, it is k.u.k. not KuK.
And it is only k.u.k. in the case of a gemeinsames Heer/common army unit.

The Landwehr unit above is not a gemeinsames Heer one, but from the German part of Österreich-Ungarn/Austria-Hungary. Thus it's title is
k.k. Landesschützen-Regiment „Innichen“ Nr. III
where k.k. means kaiserlich (for Österreich/Austria) königlich (for Böhmen/Bohemia).
The third "army" of the double monarchy was called k.u. (königlich hungarisch/royal Hungarn).
The place name Innichen was Trient before1909.

Yes, it is not an easy army to study ;)

Oh yes. The beautifull uniforms in the first few pictures are not for the line cavalry. If I am correct, I see the k.u.k. Trabantenleibgarde (red and gold in the first picture) and in the second picture at left the k.u. Leibgarde.
These guards were not just "field" regiments with guards status, but more palace guards, attending, keeping order and guarding royalty and their guests at all sorts of ceremonies in and outside imperial-royal palaces, gardens, etc.. A bit like the Yeoman of the Guard I assume.

Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Vienna
 

Thank you for your comments Henk. I knew I was way out of my depth whilst touring the Museum, virtually everything on display there was revelation to me, altho I did do some preparatory reading. & many of the exhibits had signs in German only, but this uniform I did photo the accompanying sign:

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...pskjfy54nf.jpg

Yes, the sign says it correct. But I understand fully that the difference between k.u.k., k.k. and k.u. (the last one also having an Hungarian equivalent) is not something understood even by many present-day Austrians.

I visited the museum long ago and have already forgotten most of it. I love the pictures you posted. And the Guards uniforms show some of the pomp and circumstances of the Habsburg court.

As additional information for all interested: the k.k. Landesschützen-Regiment Nr. III was a sort of specialist unit. It belonged to the k.k. Gebirgstruppe. Alpine troops, specialy trained for the defence of the mountain borders of Voralberg, Tirol and Kärnten to the south (the Italian Alpini were raised earlier). The Edelweiss flower badge worn by them is not only inherited by present-day Austrian Army alpine troops, but also by those of the German Army and by the Polish Carpatian Rifles.

Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Vienna
 

A uniform tunic of an Officer in the Austrian Flying Service(Air Force?) 1WW period: I did not photo the sign if there was one.

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psz7swhsbr.jpg

The Emperor Franz Joseph display was simply stunning!
The Frederick Franceschini portrait of the Emperor can be seen in the upper right of the first photo.

Description I will quote from the printed catalogue:

"the uniform jacket with scarlet cuffs & golden braid trimmings with acanthus leaf ornaments was worn with the everyday uniform while the dress uniform jacket of white fabric with scarlet cuffs and Field Marshal braid trimmings was worn only on special occasions. Emperor Franz Joseph wore these uniforms in his role as Commander in Chief of the Austro-Hungarian empire."

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...pschwrff2s.jpg

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...pso5w1wqut.jpg

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...pskhxh6dm6.jpg

Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Vienna
 

The foreign Orders of Emperor Franz Joseph I:


http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...pswhmwphnv.jpg



http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psx8hr2fdy.jpg

Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Vienna
 

The Sarajevo car display. In this car on 28 Jun 1914 Archduke Francis Ferdinand & his wife Sophie were assassinated. The Archduke was heir to the throne of the Austria-Hungarian empire.


http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psddlebkqz.jpg


Some details on the car from the museum catalogue:
"Manufactured by Graf & Stift in 1910, 4 cylinders, 28/32 H.P..
After the assassination at Sarajevo the car was impounded. The owner, Count Francis Harrach, donated the car to the Emperor who ordered the vehicle to ne moved to the Imperial & Royal Army Museum. From 1914 to 1944 the car was on display in the Hall of the Generals. Around the end of 2WW it was damaged, & after undergoing repairs, was placed in its current location where it has been since 1957."


http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psafwjbn9f.jpg
I tried to get a couple shots of the interior of the car but the alarm sounded, which was unexpected. The attendant told me politely to not try again!

I remember that not only the car was there, but also the uniform tunic of the Erzherzog. With the bullet holes in the front.

In its own case with divan on which he died, its next Henk!
Bryan

Sorry ! I will try not to interfere with your continuing story and leave the cliff hangers to your discretion :)

Thanks for rekindling fond memories of the museum and displays for me, Bryan. I spent a whole day there in 1991, rest of the week spent trawling militaria shops, most of which were closed - with window sign "Urlaub" (On Holiday)!
I especially recall the submarine in its hall.
A question I have for any Austro-Hungarian specialist: What is the significance of the design of Generals buttons? Looks like flower (Edelweiss) buds?!
GTB

The book I have here says: "... gelben Knöpfen mit Generalsdessin". Yellow buttons with a design for general officers. Does not realy help much I am afraid. :mad:

I do not think it is an Edelweiß design. After all only a very small part of the immense country was fit for that plant.

Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Vienna
 

The dress uniform Archduke Francis Ferdinand's was wearing on 28 June 1914 laid out above the chaiselounge on which he died that fateful day.

The Browning pistol projectile tore through his jugular vein & ripped open his windpipe . Sophie was shot thru the abdomen & died almost immediately.

the cuts the surgeon's had to make in his uniform to gain access to the Archduke's wounds are quite visible.

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psikvam4g2.jpg


http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psjg3bdb4w.jpg



As requested in GTB's previous post, in this photo one can make out the General's buttons:
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...pslqemik77.jpg

Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Vienna
 

I was primarily interested in viewing the Naval exhibits at the Museum & was not disappointed.


Uniforms of Imperial & Royal sailors uniforms:
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psw4kmjlbw.jpg

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psts5vqhk3.jpg

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...pstcs2th5j.jpg

Sailor's cap - flying wing of the kuk Marine:
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psbi8pcitx.jpg


Couple more ratings caps:
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...pscc3gf0na.jpg

Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Vienna
 

As mentioned in my initial post I went to visit the museum primarily to view the k.u.k. Marine exhibits. I had read about the battle of Lissa in 1866 & was very interested in viewing the paintings depicting the battle.

Lissa was the only Ironclad fleet action of the 19th century & took place between Austria & Italy. It was the first & only use of the ram to affect a successful sinking in that timeframe.

Note the mix of wood/sail rigged & ironclad ships.
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psiz4awx08.jpg


This painting depicts the climax of the Battle of Lissa on 20 July 1866. The Austrian Flagship "Erzherzog Ferdinand Max" has rammed the Italian Armoured Frigate "Re d'Italia" causing her to sink.
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps2zzquata.jpg


The Commander of the Austrian Fleet, Rear Admiral Wilhelm von Tegetthoff achieved an unexpected victory during this major engagement of the Ironclad era.
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psvakjxcbi.jpg

Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Vienna
 

I was very impressed by the uniform & insignia displays in the Marine Hall. The uniform, cap & insignia all date from the Imperial k.u.k. Marine time(pre 1918) & must have considerable value.
I had never seen in 'real life' Austrian k.u.k. Marine uniforms or insignia so this was a real treat for me, & to be able to photograph them was an added bonus!

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psixpyz1dq.jpg

Dress epaulettes -
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psdcis60wf.jpg

The example with the crown is Flag Officer rank - Rear Admiral I think.
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps2lfqyoqa.jpg

Marine Officer's sleeve lace:

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...pso89rwbz4.jpg


Flag Officers - Admiral, Vizeadmiral, Konteradmiral:
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psmhmrpy3s.jpg


Stabsoffiziere, Oberoffiziere, & Fahnriche:
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...pswijcysbo.jpg

k.u.k. Marine displays
 

Admiral's cocked hat - this example is absolutely beautiful! No idea of its value but I would expect very very high! Amazing it has survived for over 100 yrs I & in this superb condition!

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psitunu5ik.jpg


Another beautiful example of a Flag Officer's cocked hat(possibly Vizeadmiral):
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psb3dyf4sl.jpg

For those interested in some more detail about this extraordinary battle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lissa_(1866)

I assume it is more or less a miracle that those displayed uniforms and uniform details still exist and are in such a good scape. After all, who cared for such things after the beak down of the empire? And Vienna was also subjected to severe bombing in WW2.

To me one an interesting detail of this battle is that the majority of the Austrian fleet's personal was Italian speaking. Showing that loyalty to the multi-people state of Austria-Hungary was felt by many of it's citizens.

k.u.k. Marine displays
 

Another cocked hat example, possibly Fregattenkapitan:

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psaugqrlhz.jpg


An example of an Officer's everyday uniform cap, Stabsoffiziere grade, showing the cap badge:

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psltqpinge.jpg

k.u.k. Marine displays
 

Another cocked hat, possibly Stabsoffiziere grade:

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psyzw4oemp.jpg

k.u.k. Marine displays
 

Surgeons/Medical Offizier Frock coat:

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psevhk6lr1.jpg

k.u.k. Marine displays
 

A senior Offizier tunic, likely a Flaggenoffiziere:
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...pse5h8pd2f.jpg



Closeup of medals & collar insignia:
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psnmi3cppj.jpg

k.u.k. Marine displays
 

K.u.k. Admiral Rudolf Graf Montecuccoli (1843-1922) frock coat:

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps3xoetjyy.jpg


http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psxrei7x8g.jpg

I think the Admiral was the pre war head of the K.u.k Marine.

K.u.k Sailor's career rate badges. The workmanship in these badges is absolutely superb!

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps1xo7rguy.jpg

Close up of badge frame:
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psjykdujvp.jpg

Close up of badge frame:
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...pslygdy1wk.jpg

k.u.k. Marine displays
 

K.u.k Sailor's career rate badges. The workmanship in these badges is absolutely superb!

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps1xo7rguy.jpg

Close up of badge frame:
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psjykdujvp.jpg

Close up of badge frame:
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...pslygdy1wk.jpg

K.u.K. Marine displays
 

K.u.K Marine SM U-20 was sunk on 4 July 1918 whilst on patrol in the Gulf of Trieste. She was lost with all hands. Her wreck was located in the northern Adriatic Sea in summer of 1962 & she (or what was left of her) was successfully salvaged. U-20's Conning tower is on display in the Museum.

More information on U-20 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SM_U-20_(Austria-Hungary)

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps6mtd0uyc.jpg


http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps8by8xits.jpg

A shot looking down at the interior of the conning tower:
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...pst1txo3dj.jpg

K.u.K. Marine displays
 

Couple shots of the U-20 salvage operation in 1962:

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps92xw1jnh.jpg


http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psb1ndtnzu.jpg

K.u.K. Marine displays
 

Siebe Gorman Diving apparatus display (circa 1908):

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psaqbjqaev.jpg

K.u.K. Marine displays
 

Early(19th century) Whitehead Torpedo:

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps2yzkz5ov.jpg

What a spectacular looking torpedo. And what stunning photo's, thanks for sharing. Never knew about any Austrian navy, with it currently being landlocked.
In an earlier post you complained about display glass reflection. A polarising filter might help to counter this, but judging from most of your images you seem to be doing just fine without it.

Rgds, Thomas.

K.u.K. Marine displays
 

There were two very nice Ship Figureheads on display -


This one being the figurehead of SMS ZARA, a wood screw ship of the late
19th century:

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q...psjyxml6cs.jpg