The Uniforms of the Infantry of the German Imperial Army - 1871 – 1914. I. Part a). - Prussia - General Information

The following contribution deals in general with the uniforms of the Prussian infantry - 1842 – 1914.

The second part presents the particular characteristics of the Guard and line grenadier regiments.

A third part introduces the (Prussian) line infantry regiments (musketeer / fusilier regiments).

A fourth part treats the peculiarities of those units that were incorporated into the Prussian army (after 1866) or that, through special uniform features, linked to certain (non‑Prussian) traditions (e.g. IR 92 - Brunswick - or the Baden, Hessian and Mecklenburg units).

Further contributions will present the Saxon, Württemberg and Bavarian infantry, which belonged to contingents that were (relatively) autonomous in peacetime.

The series concludes with contributions on the Jägers and Schützen and on the machine‑gun detachments formed from 1901.

On 23.10.1842 the Pickelhaube was introduced in Prussia as the modern headgear together with the coat of arms; it replaced the far too heavy shako. At first the Pickelhaube was almost twice as tall as later; only over time did it develop into a distinctly elegant headpiece. The Pickelhaube was gradually adopted by all other German states and was partly worn abroad as well, e.g. in Sweden and in Russia.

The headgear was originally twice as high as later. The visor was angular, the long rear neck peak was curved.

The cross‑shaped ornament bearing the spike was held (as later the disc was) on officers' helmets by stars.

The scale chains were attached to rosettes in the mount color; originally they were fixed by screws that protruded far out.

Already from 1856 the screws holding the scale chains were screwed up to the rosette. The cockades had been reduced in size.

The fusilier here already wears the somewhat reduced in height helmet model of 1860 with the eagle already provided with the Fatherland band. Photographer: C. Maeter/ Potsdam. Photo taken around 1860.

The metal fittings on officers' helmets were gilded and the spikes were generally higher than those of the enlisted men's helmets.

From 1887 the ball ornament was replaced by a continuous welt. This simplification did not apply to officers' helmets.

From 08.01.1891 a new method of fastening the scale chains became mandatory, which replaced the hooks. The visor now also had a stabilizing bar again.

Regarding the above image: On the helmet the Guard infantry wore as ornament the flying eagle with sword and scepter made of tombac (or nickel silver). This had on its breast an eight‑pointed nickel‑silver star following the pattern of the Order of the Black Eagle (Guard star) and on the outstretched wings a ribbon with the inscription "MIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND" (Guard eagle). On officers' helmets - as here - the eagle was gilded (or silvered) and the middle piece (i.e. the center) of the (highly arched) Guard star was finely enameled.

Since 22.03.1897 the imperial cockade was worn on the right of the helmet; the national (state) cockade was thereafter placed on the left.

To the black‑lacquered leather helmet with fittings, ornament and blackened chin strap or scale chains the Guard infantry generally wore white hair plumes for parade and many line regiments wore black hair plumes.

In the Guard Fusilier Regiment (Berlin), however, the hair plume (and leather equipment) were also black.

Since 1884 white caps were worn at maneuvers. From 17.05.1892 reed‑green covers that covered the entire helmet came into use.

These showed the respective regimental number in red (28.01.1897).

The overall height of the field cap was to be 8.3 cm. The cap band was 2.7 cm wide and regularly made of red cloth.

Before 1897 only the respective state cockade (on the lining band) was worn.

From 1897 the imperial cockade was worn on the front of the field cap on the cap top.

The cap was made of dark blue cloth with ponceau‑red trim bands and the same type of piping around the rim of the cap top.

The field cap with visor was not standard issue; therefore the contemporary photographs of enlisted men in dress uniform regularly show privately owned items.

At the beginning of the 1840s the external appearance of the Prussian soldier was reformed, so the tunic replaced the previously worn frock coat.

The new Prussian tunic was kept in the traditional Prussian blue, the shade of which became lighter from 1896.

The coat finally had a low rounded collar, which was red. This color was also used for the Brandenburg sleeve cuffs.

At the front and at the scalloped rear pocket flaps the coat had red facings.

On the sleeve flaps of the Brandenburg sleeve cuffs there were three – usually yellow – buttons.

The color of the flaps of the sleeve cuffs, in combination with the color of the shoulder straps, allowed assignment to a specific army corps.

The shoulder straps of the tunic displayed the regiment number or the unit name in red. On red shoulder straps the regiment number or the name inscription was embroidered in yellow.

From 1867 the collar of the tunic became lower (4.75 cm) and softer.

At the front the tunic had eight smooth buttons; the sleeve cuffs and pocket flaps had three smooth buttons each. The buttons that held the shoulder straps bore the company number.

The typically Prussian tunic was also worn by the other contingents of the Imperial Army.

From 1902 (10 April) smaller buttons were prescribed for the tunic, coat and litewka.

The Guard infantry wore white linen braids on the tunic at the collar and on the Swedish sleeve cuffs or on the flaps of the Brandenburg sleeve cuffs.

1. Tunic of the infantry (1842-1914) number missing on the plate.

2. Rounded collar with facing.

3. Eagle button for Feldwebel and Vizefeldwebel, i.e. sergeants.

4. Shoulder strap with regiment number and shoulder button.

5. Brandenburg sleeve cuff.

6. Row of buttons (8 buttons).

7. Facing (see also collar and sleeve cuff).

8. Rear view of the tunic, i.e. the skirt of the coat.

9. Waist buttons.

10. Skirt pockets with facing and buttons.

11. Brandenburg sleeve cuff from behind.

12. Shoulder strap with shoulder button (with company number).

13. Shoulder strap with cord for one‑year volunteers.

14. Collar with NCO braid and eagle button.

The enlisted men also had a litewka.

This was made of coat‑gray melton with seven concealed horn buttons down the front. Furthermore there were buttonable sleeve cuffs.

The litewka had a turn‑down collar with flaps in the collar color of the tunic.

The shoulder straps were the same as on the tunic.

At the back of the litewka there was a draw cord and two waist hooks.

The training infantry battalion was founded by AKO on 30.12.1819. The aim was to promote uniformity and conformity in service and in the drill exercises of the infantry. The battalion remained together during the summer half‑year. In the winter months it consisted only of a cadre. The unit was subordinated to the 1st Guard Regiment of Foot and was stationed in Potsdam.

The drillich jacket had only a small standing collar and was closed with 6 zinc-headed buttons.

Although no insignia were worn on the jacket, the one-year volunteers did wear a corresponding cord in the state colors on the shoulder.

Since 1807 long coats were part of the normal equipment of the ranks.

Initially gray-mottled, they over time took on an almost black color.

Later they became gray again.

From 1867 (16.03.) the coats had a turn-down collar and pockets.

For non-commissioned officers and enlisted men the coat was single-breasted. A flap in the color of the sleeve cuffs was worn on the collar.

From 1899 (01.05.) all regiments/battalions with braid also wore it on the coat flaps. The Guard wore a double braid.

On the collar flaps the old Prussian braids awarded in 1901 (15.06.) to the regiment can be seen.

From 1903 (11.04.) enlisted men were also allowed to wear finger gloves made of coat cloth or gray wool.

Part of the equipment for the ranks were mittens made of coat cloth. These were fastened together and worn over the sidearm.

Since 1852 the gray of the cloth trousers had become darker.

Since 1870 (17.03.) the cloth trousers of the ranks were black.

From 1871 they had a device at the bottom to draw them together when they were to be tucked into the boots.

The trousers were always to be worn in the boots for work, ordinary garrison and field service (A.K.O. of 01.04.1869).

This also applied for parades between 01.10. – 01.04.

White trousers were, since 1860 (23.02.), worn only for inspections, parades and guard duty.

On the shoulder boards of the tunic the name granted to the regiment on 19.09.1913 is clearly visible. The regiment carried a special distinction ribbon on the helmet eagle: MESA DE IBOR LA BELLE ALLIANCE MEDELLIN. For parades (between 01.04. – 01.10.) the trousers should not be worn tucked into the boots.

Noteworthy are the different color tones of the tunics. Incidentally, only since 1895 (12.12.) were pockets allowed on both sides of the trousers.

The equipment included blackened infantry boots.

The common boots had shafts up to 31.5 cm high and the sole was nailed.

The waist belt was closed with a brass buckle with a nickel silver plate, a crown and the inscription: GOTT MIT UNS.

Infantry baggage was reorganized in 1887.

From then on the leather for the musketeers was also black; previously this applied only to the fusiliers (III battalions).

Since then only the grenadiers of the foot guard regiments and the first two battalions of the guard and line grenadier regiments had white leather equipment.

In the M 95 knapsack there were cartridge pouches for one packet each, the laundry bag (containing a shirt, footwraps, handkerchief, pay book, songbook, spoon, underpants), the tent accessory bag, the grease tin, a clothes brush, a grease brush, shoes, an applicator brush, the rifle cleaning kit, and the field cap. Coat and tent fly were carried rolled around the three sides of the knapsack.

On 22.02.1889 new coat straps were introduced, which had to be black from 1903 (11.04.).

The shako was adorned at the front with an oval black-and-white cockade. In front of the group the rear views of the M 1867 knapsack and the strapped-on cooking gear are clearly visible.

In 1887 a new bread bag was introduced. It was now made of waterproof brown fabric.

From 1911 (07.04.) it was to be field gray as well.

Since 16.03.1867 canteens officially formed part of the soldier's basic equipment. They were made of glass and covered with black leather. They were initially held by a cord (made of hemp), later by a leather strap.

From 02.11.1882 a cup also belonged to the canteen. The canteen was attached to the bread bag (from 1887).

From 22.05.1893 the canteen consisted of aluminum and was fitted into a grey-brown felt cover. This had 4 press studs. The canteen was held by a black strap running around it.

The aluminum cup was carried in the bread bag.

From 1907 the canteen had a screw-on metal cap with a cork insert

Portable entrenching equipment for the infantry (from 1808) included shovel, pickaxe, axe (until 1867) and hatchet.

In 1887 new baggage was introduced. The entrenching equipment was now carried on the belt behind the bayonet pouch.

From 26.06.1909 it was determined that the scabbard of the small infantry shovel should in future have two carrying loops to attach the shovel and the bayonet.

The non-commissioned officers and men trained in the use of signal flags received a special badge. A regulation of 27.01.1903 governed its appearance. It consisted of two oblique flags, stitched onto a circular backing of the field cloth of the tunic, on lemon-yellow staffs. The left flag was red, the right flag was white.

Flags (and standards) have various meanings and functions in the military; they are field, identification, honor and sovereign symbols. They were not to be lost. The soldiers' oath of allegiance – except in the artillery – was always sworn on the flag or standard. Military honors were to be paid to the flag; it also always embodied the history of the respective unit. King Wilhelm bestowed new flags and standards on all newly formed regiments; these bore the letters W. R. in the flag finial. Since 1807 each cavalry regiment carried only one standard. In the infantry each battalion had a flag. The standards were smaller than the flags and almost square. For the artillery and the engineers the flags did not have the same significance as for other branches of service. The cavalry carried lance flags, independently of the field signs discussed here. Furthermore certain standards indicated the whereabouts of the Emperor (and the Empress) – e.g. during maneuvers. The role of the flag bearer always meant a special honor.

Until 1898 flag bearers did not wear a special badge. On 15.06.1898 a special cloth shield to be worn on the right upper arm was prescribed.

At that time they also received ring collars.

From 1901 (14.03.) the flag was carried in a bandolier trimmed with lace with a red juchten leather shoe. Between the lace trim there were cloth strips in the collar color.

When the flag was uncovered, the waxed cloth cover was carried en bandoulière at the right hip.

On the right upper arm of the tunic flag and standard bearers wore a sleeve embroidery (two crossed flags with an inscription and a crown).

The ring collar was to be worn on every duty with helmet (shako, etc.).

The ornamentation of the ring collars differed between the Guard and the line.

The Gefreite, who in the military hierarchy stood between the privates and the non-commissioned officers, wore a button on each side of the collar.

Since 1846 this button was worn by the senior lance-corporals; after that rank was abolished, the Gefreite received this insignia.

The small decorative button of the Gefreite displayed the heraldic eagle in the Prussian army, the respective state coat of arms in Bavaria, Saxony, Württemberg, Hesse and Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and a crown in Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The Gefreite's button was not worn on the coat.

The soldier wears the typical black lacquered leather helmet with the heraldic eagle as ornament and a blackened chin strap. The Gefreite button can be clearly seen on the side of the collar. Photographer: Hans Mehlert/ Neumünster

General insignia of the non-commissioned officers were gold or silver lace on the collar and on the sleeve cuffs.

Furthermore there were minor variations on sabre tassels/hand straps, hair tufts, lance pennants, etc. 

For senior non-commissioned officers the rank of Sergeant was (re)introduced on 03.10.1843. Sergeants wore additional eagle buttons on the collar.

Non-commissioned officers were marked as such by a white-black striped braid on the collar patches of the coat. 

For Feldwebel the visor cap had been part of the standard kit since 1844. From 1873 (28.06.) all other non-commissioned officers were also allowed to wear visor caps. The visor cap had an inner sweat leather and was lined, e.g. with glossy calico (i.e., cotton with a shiny surface).

Non-commissioned officers had white leather finger gloves, until 1867 they also had cloth gloves.

From 1903 non-commissioned officers were allowed to wear knitted finger gloves made of white wool instead of the leather ones.

From 1913 (06.07.) non-commissioned officers were to wear grey gloves in the cold season.

The officers' uniforms were fundamentally the same as those of the enlisted men, but were made from better material and often differed in shades of color.

Since 1896 the dark blue of the tunic was even officially allowed to be slightly lighter than that of the enlisted men's coat.

Officers had to procure their uniforms themselves. The lowest button of the sleeve straps was always left open. With the clothing regulation for officers of 28.05.1896 this custom was abolished.

The officers' dark-blue tunic had a rounded collar; otherwise the insignia colors corresponded to those of the enlisted men.

The buttons were convex.

The back part of the tunic was always divided by a longitudinal center seam, and thus did not, as with the enlisted men, consist of one piece (see the following photo).

In certain guard formations and grenadier regiments, the officers' uniforms featured braiding or special collar embroidery.

The officer is shown here in the field-gray (!) coat with applied peacetime embroidery and the regulation helmet, i.e. without scale chains for field use.

The (genuinely gold) embroidery for officers of the aforementioned unit cost gross 51 Reichsmark.

The special collar embroidery and the loop trim of the officers of this unit are clearly visible.

Besides the field sash or sash and the silver portepee (on the sidearm), special insignia of the officers were the shoulder straps and the epaulettes.

The epaulette panels of the lieutenants showed only the regiment number or the name inscription of the respective regiment.

Already since 1830 (27.02.) the premier lieutenant (Oberleutnant) had one star, majors and colonels two.

The epaulettes had simple metal (silver or gold, depending on the button color) crescents, additionally silver fringes for staff officers and long silver (stiff) bullion fringes for the generality.

The epaulette panels usually showed the color of the backing of the shoulder straps. Hussar officers had no epaulettes.

Moreover, there were a number of peculiarities regarding shoulder straps and epaulettes.

The officers' shoulder button never showed — in contrast to the enlisted uniform — the number of the respective company.

The name inscriptions or numbers on the epaulettes and the shoulder straps existed in various sizes; this also applied to the regiment numbers.

At first the epaulettes were to be abolished completely; in the end they were retained for gala, parade and formal dress (A.K.O of 12.07.1888).

From 12 July 1888 epaulettes were no longer to be worn with the overcoat. From then on only the shoulder straps were attached to this garment.

On 7 June 1866 the field shoulder straps were introduced. They consisted (for lieutenants and captains) of tress, for staff officers of edge cord.

The shoulder straps on the shoulders of the tunic replaced the epaulettes, which were thereafter only worn for parades and formal dress.

The shoulder straps allowed for the officer's rank designation and were made of silver braid.

For staff officers they were woven from silver thread interwoven with colored silk; those of captains/rittmesters and subaltern officers consisted of closely laid flat cords threaded with silk.

From 1888 the passants on the overcoat were also discontinued.

Originally officers wore the hat for undress and off-duty wear. After the introduction of the helmet it was only worn with formal civilian dress. From 1848 it was no longer worn at all, only the cap remained.

The officers' cap resembled the model for the ranks, but it was often stiffened and had a visor. It could be made of eskimo, duffel or cloth. Even before 1822 the cap was frequently blue.

The visor cap of the infantry officers was always dark blue and had a red trim band and a matching piping around the top rim.

On the front of the cap's trim band the respective national cockade served as the nationality badge. Above the trim band the German or imperial cockade (black-white-red) was placed.

On 15.06.1895 the blue Litewka was introduced. It had a standing turned-over collar and was closed with concealed horn buttons.

The Litewka had no trim, but there were pockets on each side and on the left breast.

From 1903 double-breasted gray Litewkas made of cloth were introduced for the entire army.

On the Litewka M 1903 the officers wore their sewn-on or slipped-under shoulder straps.

Since 1890 officers were permitted white linen or drill summer coats, which from 1895 were replaced by the blue Litewka. On the summer coats the shoulder pieces were worn. The latter were to no longer be worn with the gym uniform from 1911.

The summer coats corresponded in cut to the service tunic. From 1895 the summer coat was only worn when detached to the gymnastics institute; otherwise it was replaced by the (blue) Litewka.

Officers also wore a coat, the so-called paletot. It was double-breasted with 6 buttons on each side. Sewn-in shoulder pieces were worn on the paletot.

The coat had two slanted pockets at the front. From 16.11.1893 the paletot and coat had a light gray color. The buttons on the paletot now had to be set straight.

From 20.12.1903 the shoulder pieces were also to be worn on the paletot .

The paletot usually reached to mid-calf.

The new sword (IOG 89) was no longer worn threaded through. Fur collar and fur chest lining were — even on the paletot — only permitted for off-duty or undress wear (Regulation of 03.03.1848).

In addition to the paletot (and the Litewka) officers also had the familiar overcoat and a cloak.

From 1903 the color of the overcoats was determined to be that of the service tunic, i.e. no longer black or black-blue.

The overcoat of the Prussian infantry was dark blue and had two rows of six flat buttons each. Furthermore the overcoat had straight pocket flaps with 2 buttons each. The long skirts (tails) were to reach to the middle of the kneecap.

The rounded collar was red.

The sleeve cuffs had red turnbacks and the breast flaps were lined in red.

The overcoat was longer than the paletot.

Until 1896 the button rows were set on a slant. From 12.07.1888 epaulettes were not to be worn on the overcoat. Therefore the shoulder loops were also omitted here.

Coat and cloak could be rolled by officers (without knapsack) and worn en bandoulierè.

From 15.05.1899 officers additionally carried a gray sleeveless cloak. It could also be worn over the paletot. Photographer: Oscar Tellgmann/ Eschwege. Photograph 1908.

The cloak had a collar like the old coat. Pockets were permitted on the inside. A hood could be buttoned to the collar.

Officers on horseback never wore the white breeches, but rather the (dark) cloth breeches.

Officers also had white linen trousers. They resembled the trousers of the ranks. The cut was always tight; only from 1895/96 was a looser form permitted or prescribed.

Officers were only allowed to wear drill trousers for gymnastics, which would then be bloused.

Since 23.11.1871 officers also had the black trousers (of the ranks) made of cloth. The trousers are worn over the shoes here; the straps are partly clearly visible. Photographer: B. Berger/ Hannover.

The above photograph dates after 1896, since the buttons of the overcoats are no longer set on a slant.

Officers also wore white linen trousers (as shown in the photo above). They resembled the trousers of the enlisted men. The cut was always tight; only from 1895/96 onward was a looser form permitted or prescribed.

Officers were to wear gloves on duty or off duty as soon as a weapon was part of the uniform. However, white wool gloves were not to be worn with the parade dress at inspections, for church and similar occasions. Grey gloves were only permitted in the field. Glacé gloves were allowed for balls.

According to the clothing regulation of 28 May 1896, the white gloves were made of chamois leather or wool or cotton fabric. They were closed by one or two buttons and buttonholes.

Non-commissioned officers had white leather finger gloves; until 1867 they also had cloth gloves in addition.

The sash was the officers' insignia for parade dress. It had already been worn since the 17th century.

In the Old Army it consisted of a silver braid woven with the state colors and ended in two tassels with fringes.

At first sashes were no longer worn for maneuvers; on 26 October 1896 a new, more practical band for field use was introduced. This then remained the principal service badge of officers until the First World War.

The field sash consisted of the afore-mentioned sash braid and had a round (silver or gold) buckle.

The field sash buckle bore — depending on the contingent — different ornamentation, mostly monograms or, in Bavaria, the Bavarian royal crown. It was silver or gold depending on the corresponding button color. Medical officers did not wear a field sash or sash.

On 1 May 1848 the wider adjutant's sash was introduced.

The adjutant's sash was worn en bandoulière to the left hip.

In the 1864 campaign officers liked to wear soft boots reaching up to the thighs. These were also worn by unmounted officers.

Mounted officers were required to wear knee boots from 7 June 1888. The unmounted officers could take their cue from the footwear of the enlisted men.

From 26 January 1895 officers were to wear high boots of soft leather with the service dress.

For the unmounted officers smaller black leather knapsacks had already been ordered in 1809. Since 23 August 1888 the company commander was no longer required to carry it.

On the officer's knapsack the coat or cloak was not fastened on; later, however, as with the enlisted men, it was laid around three sides of the knapsack.

The binocular case was worn on the right. Before 1896 this manner of carrying was not prescribed or was optional.

In the infantry, in addition to the actual military musicians, there were also players equipped with drums, fifes and horns.

They were to give signals and to accompany training and march with music.

They were drawn from the regiment or battalion, were not considered military musicians, although they did — for example at parades — cooperate with the music corps.

Each regiment (or independent battalion) of the Old Army had a music corps.

In the mounted troops (not the train) it was called a trumpeter corps.

The music corps were led by staff oboists or staff trumpeters. In the military hierarchy they were comparable to sergeants or Wachtmeisters.

Members of the music corps were called hoboists, and in the mounted troops trumpeters.

These were made up of volunteers with musical ambitions who entered the military for a set number of years.

In addition to their service in the music corps they received only reduced training (shooting service, riding service).

The large drumstick was made of brown wood, had a large spherical head and had a brass tip. The drumstick was also wrapped with a yellow tassel cord.

The cord was also made of gold or silver.

Earlier the originally much higher drum hung from a wide bandolier, at first tied on, then — from 1834 — hooked.

With the new shallow drum the white-leather knee pad visible here became customary, although earlier brown or also white (for parade) knee pads had already been used to protect the tunic or the trousers.

In addition to the signal horn the hornists also carried a whistle in a case.

The whistle was worn on the left in front of the bayonet.

As early as 1854 (03.08.) the drum was made shallower. It was now fastened to the belt by means of a scissor-shaped eagle fitting.

The musicians were characterized by so-called swallow-nests. These featured 8 longitudinal and 1 transverse bands of white braid.

Swallow-nests had arisen from the bulging reinforcements of the sleeve openings of the uniform coat in the 17th century.

The base cloth of the swallow-nests matched the color of the collar. The trim was basically white, but regiments with yellow lace had yellow braid trim.

He was the son of the Württemberg major general and battle painter Christian Wilhelm von Faber du Faur (1780–1857) and his wife Magarethe, née von Hierlinger (1788–1846). Otto von Faber du Faur was also a Württemberg officer and painter.

As early as 1854 (03.08.) the drum was made shallower. It was now fastened to the belt by means of a scissor-shaped eagle fitting.

The drums had a brass shell with a height of 13 cm and a diameter of 36 cm. Wooden drum hoops were fitted at top and bottom, painted white on the inside and decorated on the outside with 25 white and colored triangles (in Prussia white-red).

Tension screws were located around the shell.

In the guard formations the swallow-nests had fringes. The helmet covers on the Guard Infantry bore no insignia.

For hoboists or auxiliary musicians, the trim of the swallow-nests consisted of NCO braid.

On 27.01.1902 uniform regulations were issued for the design of the Schellenbaum, which goes back to Turkish models.

The bandolier for carrying the Schellenbaum is clearly visible. Photographer: W. Höfert descendants/ Hannover. Photo taken around 1910.

In the cavalry and the (mounted) field artillery, lieutenants/first lieutenants were allocated horses which over time passed into their ownership.

The officers of the horse-drawn batteries of the field artillery received service horses. The cavalry allocated special officers' horses to the train.

The remaining — officers entitled to rations — had to procure their own horses, but received horse money. Senior officers also had to procure their own horses, but received no allowances.

Where officers among the foot troops were mounted, they wore high boots, the sabre always while on horseback.

In the Prussian infantry, however, only staff officers, adjutants and captains (from 1888) were officially mounted. Only these also carried a parade over-cover; the others used a service blanket as an underlay (different, for example, in the infantry in Saxony, and also different in the cavalry).

The parade over-covers were often adorned with special emblems, especially in the guard formations.

Since 1875 there was a uniform riding kit with brown leather parts for officers in the Prussian army. Assignments to riding instruction at officers' riding schools (Hanover) were possible.

Already before 1913 some bicycles for a few cyclists existed at battalion level in all branches of the service; only from 1913 did independent cyclist companies arise.

Bicycles were thus already used in the Old Army before 1914 in a variety of ways, for transmitting orders and reports, for use in relay service, for connection to the infantry vanguard with the advance guard, as a replacement for cavalry when infantry marched alone, for use by the individual elements of the outposts and as quartermaster. There were so-called war bicycles and training bikes. Because the cyclists were dependent on firm roads and paths, however, they could not completely replace messenger riders.

Early on attention was paid to clothing and equipment adapted to practical needs of the cyclist, i.e. customary were a peaked cap with chinstrap and cover, Litewka with sewn-in neckband, knitted jacket, boot trousers with leather gaiters, lace-up shoes, cloak of waterproof gray greatcoat cloth with hood, canteen, bread bag, waistbelt with message pouch. Backpack and greatcoat were transported by the baggage.

Since 1892 (14.02.) there was also a portable tent outfit that was strapped over the coat. It consisted of a shelter half and pegs in a tent accessory bag. From this tent outfit protective roofs, e.g. for 2 men, or also small squad tents could be assembled.

Large bell tents were used at major troop exercises and were followed by the baggage.

Since the needle gun still had a relatively short range and was fairly heavy, the Rifle M 71 was introduced in 1872 (22.03.). It had been designed by the Mauser brothers.

The Rifle M 71/84 was designated as the standard model for the foot troops. With the Rifle M 71 metal cartridges became customary. It was 1.35 m long and the caliber smaller (11 mm).

The Jäger (riflemen) and sharpshooters and the pioneers later received the somewhat shorter carbine M 71. It had only a single band. Photo without place and date, around 1860.

By decree of 09.11.1888 the Rifle M 88 was introduced. It allowed the simultaneous loading of 5 cartridges (in a charger). For this it was equipped with a box magazine.

The Rifle M 88 was replaced by the model M 98, which was a little longer. The cartridges now sat in a metal strip. Photo taken 1908.

Since 1896 the leather case was worn to the left of the buckle of the field belt.

The revolver was eventually replaced by the Pistol 08.

Since 1850 small cartridge pouches became customary, which were worn at the front on white (as here) or black straps on the belt to the left and right of the belt buckle.

They each held 20 cartridges. If the knapsack was unloaded, usually only one cartridge pouch was worn.

The 1874 model accommodated the cartridges individually in leather sleeves and no longer in packets. It opened to the front.

In 1808 the officers retained the sword. The sword in the old Prussian style had a leather scabbard with brass fittings. The guard of the weapon was gilded and the grip wrapped with silver wire. The blade was hexagonal.

On the hilt of the sword (or saber) a silver portepee threaded with black silk was worn on a corresponding strap.

Since the early 20s the tassels of the portepee were closed.

The sword was inserted through a slit on the left in the skirt since the introduction of the tunic (A.K.O. of 04.05.1843).

From 1888 (22.03.) a standardized sword model was introduced for all officers of the foot troops. It featured an eagle worked into the guard and the intertwined royal cypher on the grip.

On 15.06.1905 it was ordered that henceforth all steel scabbards were to be blackened or darkened. Since 1910 (14.12.) the lower ring of the sword scabbard was omitted. The reason for this was the abolition of the drag strap.

See the separate article on machine gun companies and machine gun detachments.