The Uniforms of the Infantry of the German Imperial Army - 1871 – 1914. Part VIII - Saxony (excluding Schützen and Jäger)

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

The second part examines 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 treated which were incorporated into the Prussian army (after 1866) or which, through special uniform features, referred to certain (non-Prussian) traditions.

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

Below the Saxon infantry (excluding Schützen and Jäger) is presented.

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

The Saxon contingent also displayed a certain degree of autonomy. It provided 2 army corps (XII, XIX). The infantry comprised 16 regiments: No. 100 – 108, 133-134, 139, 177 – 179, 181 – 182.

The oldest Saxon infantry regiments traced their tradition back to the year 1670.

The Saxon pickelhaube was adorned with a star of tombac which bore (in nickel silver) the Saxon coat of arms as an oval central shield, topped with a crown and surrounded by a laurel wreath.

The officer's helmet had gilded fittings and flat scale chains. The smooth spike was not permitted to be higher than 7 cm.

The field cap of the Saxon infantry corresponded to the Prussian "Krätzchen", but it shows the corresponding state cockade on the band.

On duty, the ranks and non-commissioned officers without portepee wore only the field cap. Off duty, private peaked caps were part of the obligatory equipment.

The dark blue tunic of the Saxon infantry differed in having the red piping also at the bottom and special — so-called German — sleeve cuffs. Collar, sleeve cuffs and piping on the tunic were red.

The regiments No. 100 and 101 had white linen laces on the collar and the Swedish-style sleeve cuffs. Photographer: Atelier Apollo (Fritz Prügel)/ Dresden

The collar buttons on the Saxon tunic displayed the Saxon coat of arms. The distinctive unit name insignia on the shoulder straps is clearly visible.

Left: lance-corporal with binoculars. The trousers were dark blue with red side piping. Typical for the Saxon infantry were — here only partially visible — the trousers worn over the boots. The leather equipment and infantry boots were blackened.

Fitting, ornament (star) and scale chains of the Life Grenadier Regiment No. 100 (Dresden) were made of nickel silver. The guard formation received the white metal color on 20.10.1893. Only the regiments No. 100 and 101 had scale chains made of nickel silver (No. 100) or aluminum bronze (No. 101) even in peacetime.

The special name insignia (of the Saxon King Friedrich August III (from 1904)) of the unit on the shoulder straps is clearly visible. These were always dark blue with ponceau-red piping. They had a rectangular shape characteristic for the Saxon army with rounded corners.

To the right of center in the front row sits the captain (?) in overcoat. The rifle 88 serves as armament. In the period 1888 – 98 repeaters of various systems were introduced in different countries in calibers 8 – 6.5 mm with smokeless powder. The dominant system will be the Mauser repeating rifle with center-stock magazine and self-cocking cylindrical rotating bolt. At this time only the state cockade is worn on the field cap.

Both grenadier regiments had a distinctive painting of the drum hoops visible here. They were painted green and had colorful crowns on a white ground. The drum key with crowned coat of arms is also clearly visible.

Non-commissioned officers had plain gold lace. The saber tassel and the braid on the drill coat were green-white. The marksmanship badge is also clearly visible; differing from other contingents, the cords reached to the rear sleeve seam.

The officers wore a particular model of dress sword. The weapon resembled that of French officers. It had already been introduced in 1863 and was carried into the First World War.

The sabre featured an etched brass hilt with an asymmetrical knucklebow. Between the knucklebow and the side guard the Saxon coat of arms held by lions was worked in among foliate ornament. The grip covered with shagreen had a double layer of twisted brass wire.

An adjutant can also be seen. The adjutant's sash was wider than the usual model for officers.

Center: officers in service dress. Field sashes are already worn over the tunics. The buckles were — depending on the button color — silvered or gilded and bore the royal monogram, namely until 1902 King Albert, 1902 to 1904 King George and from 1904 King Friedrich August III.