The Uniforms of the Infantry of the German Imperial Army - 1871–1914. Part IV - Anhalt and Baden

The first part of this series deals generally with the uniforms of the Prussian infantry - 1842–1914.

The second part treats the distinctive features of the uniforms of the Guard and line grenadier regiments (No. 1 - 12).

The third part is dedicated to the Prussian line infantry regiments (musketeer/fusilier regiments).

In further parts the peculiarities of those units are covered which were incorporated into the Prussian army (after 1866) or which, through special uniform features, linked to certain (non-Prussian) traditions (as here Anhalt and Baden).

In further contributions the Saxon, Württemberg and Bavarian infantry will be presented, which in peacetime belonged to relatively autonomous contingents.

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

The helmet bore the state cockade of the Duchy of Anhalt. This was entirely green. Photographer: Ad. Hartmann/ Dessau.

The Anhalt Infantry Regiment No. 93 belonged to the non-Prussian contingents of the German Imperial Army.

The staff, the 1st and 3rd battalions and the machine-gun company were stationed in Dessau; the 2nd battalion was garrisoned in Zerbst. The 3rd battalion had previously been in Bernburg and from 1899 in Zerbst and finally in Dessau.

Already on 16 May 1849 Prussia concluded a convention with Bernburg according to which the Bernburg contingent (1st battalion) was to be united with the Prussian army.

The intended conventions with Dessau and Köthen did not initially come about.

On 15 February 1850 the Bernburg troops were included in the Prussian establishment. A battalion of four companies was formed.

This was reduced to two companies in 1856, but was strengthened again to three companies in 1861.

In 1854 the Köthen contingent had already been incorporated.

On 19 August 1863 all three contingents were united and formed the Anhalt Regiment into two battalions of four companies each and a sharpshooter detachment of 2 companies.

On 28 June 1867 a final military convention with Prussia was concluded. The regiment now consisted of 3 battalions of 4 companies each.

The aforementioned designation took place on 1 October 1867.

In 1881 and 1887 companies were respectively transferred to IR 98 and IR 136.

Until 1867 the respective contingent sovereigns fulfilled the function of chief.

In the years 1871–1904 the General of the Infantry Friedrich I of Anhalt and from 1904 Major General Friedrich II, Duke of Anhalt, was the chief of the unit in question.

The helmet decoration of the unit was nickel-silver and showed on the griffin the nickel-silver Baden order star with the inscription "Fildelitas". For officers the star was raised and the order cross was of red enamel. The buttons were white and the braids patterned. The Baden officers' cockade had a special shape. Also clearly visible is the small Baden star on the saber hilt. The epaulette fields were made of silver cloth.

The officer wears as a service insignia the sash, which was worn around the waist. Apart from Prussia, unique sashes existed only in Bavaria, Saxony, Württemberg, Hesse and Mecklenburg. The Baden sash, however, additionally had a red centre stripe; that of IR 92 (Brunswick) was silver-blue.

The above unit was stationed in Karlsruhe and had its day of foundation on 23 March 1803. As a special distinction the unit wore white linen braids on each side of the square tunic collar and on the Swedish sleeve cuffs. The buttons were white or nickel-silver. The uniform essentially resembled that of the 1st Guard Regiment on Foot.

The Baden formations wore only the Baden cockade in the colours yellow-red-yellow until 1897, after which the imperial cockade was added.

A distinctive feature of the Baden infantry was the clearly visible crowned griffin holding the state coat of arms with the motto ribbon: "With God for Prince and Fatherland."

Top right: One-year volunteer as non-commissioned officer in the 5th Baden Infantry Regiment No. 113 (Freiburg) with marksmanship cord. Here still with the special Baden officers' saber. This had a nickel-plated steel scabbard with a simple guard. Later the portepee non-commissioned officers were to carry the Prussian IOD 89.

Seated centrally in the front row are the officers in greatcoats or tunics. Officers already wore the Prussian cockade on the cap before 1897 and the Baden cockade above it. After the introduction of the imperial cockade this distinction disappeared. Photograph 1884.

The sashes and portepees of the Baden contingent additionally featured a red piping. Baden officers carried a saber of a special Baden pattern with a silver hilt bearing a lion or griffin head.