DWM 1915 unit marking help?
 

I have been told, I have a very unique addition to my WW1, 2 collection but I will admit I'm a dummy in this area, this one is unit marked and I have no idea what it means, can anyone help me desifer the following,

15.B.L.J.R.10.K.

Thanks for any help...
Steve

http://i46.tinypic.com/316ojy9.jpg

Probably 15th Bavarian Landwehr Infantry Regiment 10th Company. Photos would be helpful.

Thanks George. That was exactly what I had decided that it meant, but I didn't have enough confidence in my call to post it. I'll get better at it with practicel

Perhaps, 15th Bayerische Landwehr Jäger Regiment, 10th Kompanie? Looks to me like the third letter is possibly a "J", not an "I".

It is a "J" and you said the same thing that George said, just in a different language.

There was no Bavarian 15th Landwehr Jaeger Regiment.

Jägers are mounted (I think) riflemen, Infantry are foot soldiers. I once heard the rationale for using a "J" instead of an "I" but I forget the reason. Perhaps to make sure the designation was for infantry and not a Roman numeral?

[QUOTE=Ron Wood;229706]Jägers are mounted (I think) riflemen, Infantry are foot soldiers.

Ron, not quite. Jaegers were highly skilled riflemen. These units were historically drawn from country men with well developed talents as woodsmen and hunters, hence the title Jaeger. Traditionally the Jaegers were in the same category as American Rangers and British "Rifles" during the 18th and 19th centuries. Historically their job was to form skirmish lines ahead of advancing Infantry columns and as sharpshooters pick-off officers, NCOs, buglers, etc in the enemy infantry lines.

As to being mounted, some of them were; Jaeger Battalions each had at least one company of cyclist troops. These cyclist units were crucial to providing extra fire-power to German Cavalry units in 1914 as they tried to outflank the allies by swinging up along the Channel.