Need Info On This Stamp

I found this among my father's Poland collection, but have not been able to ascertain anything about it via online searches and other sources (various catalogues), etc.

I am hoping someone here can shed some light upon the below pictured stamp...



Regards,
Stampalotapus

Could be Switzerland. Isn't that the Swiss cross in the upper left shield?

I like it. Pretty cool label.

Robert

Here's a link to ebay with the same label.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SWITZERLAND...160642138922

Robert

Looks like it is some sort of field post stamp for the 11th Infantry Regiment (consisting of Battalions 49, 50 and 51).

Robert

It is a Swiss soldiers stamp. Not in Zumstein.
There are hundreds of these. The stamps are for use by soldiers and each outfit uses their own design. They are very sought after in Switzerland when they are used!

Peter

Swiss soldier stamp.

Switzerland does not (bar a few officers for planning and NCOs for training) have a professional army. But all adult males do a stint of military training and if there is an emergency (e.g. a world war breaking out all round them) they are mobilised.

Each soldier was allowed free letters using the army postal service. No stamp was necessary, but most units issued stamps which could be bought cheaply and stuck on. The money raised went on military charities (sometimes genuine, sometimes free drinks in the mess bar). I think the theory was that if you bought and used a stamp your letter went quicker, because it didn't have to go to an officer for approval.

They were also sold to collectors. There are literally hundreds of different types.

Well, our posts crossed. One addition to Bamra's post - they are still used by some outfits.

Peter

Unfortunately, I didn't find the full article. http://stampcollectingroundup.blogs...-stamps.html

I found a lot of information about Swiss Soldier Stamps by searching with Google. There are a couple of threads on SCF about them too.

https://goscf.com/t/1130
https://goscf.com/t/13800

Interesting stuff.

Robert

Many thanks to you all.

Regards,
Stampalotapus