Further to our discussion about the above, I have now looked through my large collection and have come across the following photos...they show him winning a German Tournament Flora. Ringkampfe 1936, him standing with the Golden Laurel, and belt around his waist, pulling around with Chick Knight, putting Chick Knight, and Reggie Meen both in a side headlock, and the great Max Krauser putting an arm bar on Chick Knight.
In the line up for the German Tournament, you can gauge his height. The German wrestlers were always very large men, as most had been successful weight-lifters.
It`s very sad that no one has managed to get in touch with the family of the late great Max Krauser, and find out if there is any memorabilia left of his great wrestling career. He really was something, big strong, good looking, always smartly dressed, feared no one, always challenging Assirati up until he left England. A genuine shoot wrestler, who when he first arrived in England wanted to face the best, and was told it was Assirati, so he went along to The Ring Blackfriars Gym where he was told Assirati worked out and introduced himself, then asked if he could have a pull around, and Assirati obliged. They were two very powerful wrestlers, with enormous respect for each other, and neither could get the upper hand. Then Krauser went off to take on all opposition around the country, before returning to London where a match was arranged on Sunday 17th November 1935 at the Whitechapel Pavilion, against Jack Sherry, with the proviso that the winner would then face Assirati, this is how highly Assirati was regarded by the governing bodies, and the promoters. Sherry was claiming to be the World champion (bogus claim) and Krauser was the reigning European champion (having won numerous tournaments around Europe). The match was reported in the Health & Strength magazine, and ended in a one fall each draw, the referee was Lou Marco. Assirati went into temporary retirement the following year, which lasted two years, in that time he pushed his weight up to eighteen and a half stone of solid muscle, and when he returned he was not only immovable in the ring, but also no one could live with his power. Krauser and Assirati had two matches in a private gym before he sailed for Sydney, Australia, and then America. In both matches Assirati held Krauser to drawn decisions, so sad these matches were not at a large hall for all the wrestling purists to see. I have the programme for the Whitechapel match, a wonderful find.
Best for now Mike........
Please find enclosed photo of Gustl Kaiser taken in 1935 at Nuremberg, Germany.
As Mike Hallinan points out Pinetzski wrestled for Relwyskow and as well as working with Cocky Knight at Hull I have three more examples of him as king Kong.
One guy I don't think we have ever talked about is the wrestler MERCURIO.
I can tell you that his real name was Martin Merkur and he was USA nationality and was over here in the early days with Irslinger. He went on to South Africa with Irslinger in 1933, I presume as a close associate. Born in 1897 he would have brought much experience. Looks like he wrestled on several continents. back and Forwards.
Certainly Ron. We've got another A-Z batch coming in a week or two, but he will have to wait to the next batch. Who knows what you might uncover by then? This is the sort of topic that makes it all worthwhile.
Another one for the A-Z Hack as we know now that he was here , and it even explains his photo with Chick and Carver.
I reckon these guys worked at Twickenham Film Studio's in some of the Sydney Howard films.
What a great discovery. Thanks Mike and Ron.
Just a little more on Leon (or perhaps Leybush) ‘When the infamous wrestler Leon Pinyetski aka the National Polish Hercules, kept winning with his signature full Nelson, many fans doubted his authenticity due to his ‘Jewish Nose’. Some even travelled to Łódz to determine his origins, claiming to out him as one Leybush Pinhas’
Maybe he was here in 1935.
Also that photo of Cocky Knight with Pinetzski , I have a bill for 1937 at Hull that may in that case be them.
That same year King Kong was photo'd for publicity at Rotherham Stadium
Is this Pinetzski (1937)
That's good info Mike , the list of really good wrestlers who came here in the 1930's is very impressive. That's just the window to be photo'd with Carver Doone.
In case you missed it on the other thread here is footage with Shikat.
https://www.efootage.com/videos/55720/shikat-vs-pinetzki-wrestling-match-1932
Great share which confirms, as we said, that the wrestler in the original photo was Leon.
Amazing photos in here, many thanks to Mike and MM for their contributions
Lovely picture of Assirati and I was into weights and a subscriber to Health and Strength in the late 1960's. Fascinating man and away from wrestling I would have loved to have seen some footage or even a picture of his Mello and Nello Tumbling act.
Super collection MM
Great stuff Mike, thank you, and I guess that clears up the initial question; it was definitely Leon Pinetzki that was in the photograph with Chick Knight and Carver Doone.
Some wonderful stuff there to admire and you mention Sherry v Krauser , not sure if you know the detail , but reported in the Australian papers that their match went ten rounds and they agreed another two , but could not settle it. So a twelve round match.
Krauser clearly world class and probably made a similar impact to George Gordienko who came later. Guys of this calibre did not drop many matches.
Fixed or not reputations were kept.
Mike thanks for posting this amazing material. Much appreciated.
Leon Pinetzski (Part 3)
Leon Pinetzski (Part 2)
I think I have run out of space........so I will try to add the other photos mentioned.
Best for now Mike.....