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Vestes Bellica Military history archive

Vestes Bellica

German soldiers in field-gray dress - I. Clothing and equipment items - Headgear

In preparation.

Grenadier from the Kaiser-Franz-Garde-Grenadier-Regiment No. 2 (Berlin) in M 07 tunic. Circa 1914. The parade-style helmet bears the Garde eagle. The name inscription on the shoulder straps is clearly visible.
Grenadier from the Kaiser-Franz-Garde-Grenadier-Regiment No. 2 (Berlin) in M 07 tunic. Circa 1914. The parade-style helmet bears the Garde eagle. The name inscription on the shoulder straps is clearly visible.
First lieutenant from the Garde-Grenadier-Regiment No. 5 (Spandau) in a field-gray tunic with applied peacetime embroidery. The helmet is worn correctly with the chinstrap. Circa 1914.
First lieutenant from the Garde-Grenadier-Regiment No. 5 (Spandau) in a field-gray tunic with applied peacetime embroidery. The helmet is worn correctly with the chinstrap. Circa 1914.
Guardsman in M 07 field tunic with greatcoat and peacetime helmet. Plumes were (actually) not worn with the field-gray uniform.
Guardsman in M 07 field tunic with greatcoat and peacetime helmet. Plumes were (actually) not worn with the field-gray uniform.
Vizefeldwebel in the simplified field tunic from the 3rd Magdeburg Infantry Regiment No. 66 (Magdeb.). Photographer: Gustav Schüler / Magdeburg. On the IOD 89 the officer's portepee is visible.
Vizefeldwebel in the simplified field tunic from the 3rd Magdeburg Infantry Regiment No. 66 (Magdeb.). Photographer: Gustav Schüler / Magdeburg. On the IOD 89 the officer's portepee is visible.
Gefreiter from Infantry Regiment Herzog Ferdinand von Braunschweig (8th Westphalian) No. 57 (Wesel) in the field tunic. The helmet shows the typical heraldic eagle worn by almost all Prussian line regiments.
Gefreiter from Infantry Regiment Herzog Ferdinand von Braunschweig (8th Westphalian) No. 57 (Wesel) in the field tunic. The helmet shows the typical heraldic eagle worn by almost all Prussian line regiments.
Reserve officers in the frock coat (left) and M 1910 tunic. Circa 1910. The helmet ornament is the heraldic eagle with an applied coat-of-arms shield (probably Infantry Regiment No. 95). The photograph was taken in Zeithain (Saxony).
Reserve officers in the frock coat (left) and M 1910 tunic. Circa 1910. The helmet ornament is the heraldic eagle with an applied coat-of-arms shield (probably Infantry Regiment No. 95). The photograph was taken in Zeithain (Saxony).
Württemberg infantrymen. The typical Württemberg helmet ornament is clearly visible on the regulation helmet with chinstrap. They are likely soldiers of a wartime formation or a Landwehr unit.
Württemberg infantrymen. The typical Württemberg helmet ornament is clearly visible on the regulation helmet with chinstrap. They are likely soldiers of a wartime formation or a Landwehr unit.
Member of the Guard Field Artillery. Berlin, circa 1915. He wears the helmet with a ball finial. The Garde eagle is clearly visible. Note the poor quality of the field tunic.
Member of the Guard Field Artillery. Berlin, circa 1915. He wears the helmet with a ball finial. The Garde eagle is clearly visible. Note the poor quality of the field tunic.
Gunner of the Prussian field artillery in colorful peacetime uniform. Circa 1914. On the helmet with ball finial the heraldic eagle bears a Fatherland ribbon. On the eagle's breast are the letters FR. The scale chains are convex.
Gunner of the Prussian field artillery in colorful peacetime uniform. Circa 1914. On the helmet with ball finial the heraldic eagle bears a Fatherland ribbon. On the eagle's breast are the letters FR. The scale chains are convex.
Medical officer or assistant physician in service coat with collar patches and Swedish sleeve cuffs. Circa 1914/15. The helmet corresponds to that of the officers. He is armed with the artillery officer's sabre with portepee.
Medical officer or assistant physician in service coat with collar patches and Swedish sleeve cuffs. Circa 1914/15. The helmet corresponds to that of the officers. He is armed with the artillery officer's sabre with portepee.
Saxon infantryman with M 1915 helmet. The helmet has lost its telltale spike. No badge is worn on the helmet cover.
Saxon infantryman with M 1915 helmet. The helmet has lost its telltale spike. No badge is worn on the helmet cover.
Troop swearing-in, Porta Westfalica, October 1915. The provision of replacement helmets is clearly visible. These already replaced the leather helmets as of September 1914 and were made from various materials, e.g. Folz, metal, cork, fiber, even pressed or hard cardboard. In this photograph they could be field-gray painted helmets made of sheet steel.
Troop swearing-in, Porta Westfalica, October 1915. The provision of replacement helmets is clearly visible. These already replaced the leather helmets as of September 1914 and were made from various materials, e.g. Folz, metal, cork, fiber, even pressed or hard cardboard. In this photograph they could be field-gray painted helmets made of sheet steel.
Non-commissioned officer in 1915 field blouse. The helmet has field-gray fittings (Garde eagle). On the collar the NCO braid and guard (double) lace(s) are clearly visible. Circa 1915/16.
Non-commissioned officer in 1915 field blouse. The helmet has field-gray fittings (Garde eagle). On the collar the NCO braid and guard (double) lace(s) are clearly visible. Circa 1915/16.
Prussian infantrymen with replacement helmets made from field-gray painted leather or metal. Original photo card, Münster, mailed on 26 Nov 1914.
Prussian infantrymen with replacement helmets made from field-gray painted leather or metal. Original photo card, Münster, mailed on 26 Nov 1914.

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