The Uniforms of the Infantry of the German Imperial Army - 1871 – 1914. Part IX - Württemberg

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

The second part deals with the particular features of the uniforms of the Guard and line grenadier regiments (No. 1 - 12).

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

In further parts the peculiarities of those units are addressed that were incorporated into the Prussian army (after 1866) or that, by special uniform features, referred back to certain (non-Prussian) traditions.

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

Below the Württemberg infantry is presented.

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

The Württemberg troop contingent belonged to the Prussian army but displayed uniformistic peculiarities. The infantry included regiments No. 119 – 127 and 180. Regiments No. 119 and 120 had already been raised in 1623. Photographer: G. Schmid/ Urach Münsingen & Laichingen.

The Württemberg infantry belonged to the XIII Army Corps; only the 8th Württemberg Infantry Regiment No. 126 Grand Duke of Baden (Strasbourg in Elsass) was assigned to the XV Army Corps.

On the helmet the Württemberg infantry wore the Württemberg state coat of arms in an oval shield, above it a crowned helmet, the shield being supported on the left and right by a stag. The motto on the scroll read: FEARLESS AND TRUE.

The Infantry Regiment Kaiser Wilhelm, King of Prussia (2nd Württemberg) No. 120 (Ulm/ Danube) – as here – and the Grenadier Regiment King Karl (5th Württemberg) No. 123 (Ulm/ Danube) were permitted to wear black hair plumes for parade.

All Württemberg officers had helmets with an angular visor and cross fittings.

From 1895 onwards, Prussian officers could, by the way, be transferred into Württemberg units without difficulty; previously only secondments had been possible.

The changed uniform was introduced in 1864, but the ranks still went out in the old outfit in 1866. In addition to a cap-like parade hat modeled on the Austrian example, a dark-blue cap with red piping and peak together with a small cockade was carried for field service. The braided green cord on a hunter's horn fastened to the left breast with a signal whistle (previously a measure for loading) is clearly visible.

Until 1892 the Württemberg infantry wore a double-breasted coat; thereafter the usual single-breasted dark-blue tunic was worn.

Some Württemberg units bore name insignia on the shoulder straps, such as the infantry regiments No. 119, 120, 123, 124 and 125. Photographer: Hubert Lill/ Stuttgart.

The (new) tunic of the Württemberg infantry was dark blue and had a rounded ponceau-red collar as well as matching sleeve cuffs, sleeve flaps (with light-blue piping), shoulder straps, pipings (falling down at the front and on the pocket flaps).

This regiment was also distinguished by white-linen lace. The Württemberg contingent wore only the dark-blue-mottled trousers with ponceau-red piping. There were no white-linen trousers, only the drill trousers.

The soldiers are still wearing the colorful peacetime uniform. The cap consisted of dark-blue cloth with ponceau-red trim stripes and matching piping around the rim of the crown.

The passants or shoulder pieces were interwoven with black-red silk.

The sashes or field bands of the Württemberg officers were also woven through with black-red silk.

The unit wore white hair plumes on the helmet as parade piece. The 3rd battalion also exceptionally wore white hair plumes.

The leather equipment was black, as were the infantry boots.

The Württemberg belt buckle showed, in a medallion, the coat of arms as on the helmet and was surrounded by the inscription: FEARLESS AND TRUE.

The officer's sword was the Prussian model. However, it bore the Württemberg state coat of arms in the mount. No name monogram was carried on the grip, but there was a crowned KR on the grip cap.

The parade saddlecloth corresponded to the Prussian model. In the rear corners there was a metal WR with crown. Photographer: Alfred Hirrlinger/ Stuttgart.