Chip

A bavarian buckle, so the collar on his Bluse is feldgrau, the same as the rest of the tunic. A W?rttemberger would have a collar like the Prussians, that is, Resedagr?n (Abzeichentuchgr?n). Chip

So, I assume they were taking these bells for the metals to be used in the war effort? Chip

Guys, If there is a crown on the buckle, it is not from W?rttemberg. The W?rttemberg buckle has the Landeswappen in the center, not a crown. Chip

Chris, An excellent article. It really brings life and meaning to the documents. You have done so much more with it than I could have. Best regards, Chip

Brian, He's not a cavalryman. Most of the cavalry units retained the standing collar for their early field gray uniforms. He is wearing infantry style boots as well. Even with an enlargement, it may be difficult to pin him down. The Swedish cuffs could indicate several types of units. Chip

Thanks for the interesting pictures Chris. Chip

dante, This is not the Wappen used by Saxony for military officials, so I am guessing that this is a governmental official, more like a foresty official, police official or something else in that vein. Chip

Bob, Thanks for the insights. You never cease to amaze. Chip

The maker logo appears to be that of a Post WWI manufacturer (Alexander Koppel). Chip

Here's Major Rohr along with most of the commanding officers of the numbered Sturm=Bataillonen. Rohr is the sixth from the left. Chip

TS, My boots did not come from Johan. I was just mentioning that he used them in his book. If you have a copy, take a look at the credit for the picture. Though infiitely more rare than an issue Bluse, I don't think your jacket would command anywhere near the the price. The main reason would be the lack indisputable proof as to what it is and secondly, the lack of demand when compared to the demand for Blusen. I would not hazard a guess as to price because there is nothing comparable to base a price on, but I think you would have a struggle finding someone to pay half of what a nice issue Bluse is worth in the real world. Finally, I would repeat, that if you want to see pictures of what a Windjacke should look like, find someone with a copy of Kraus's book or just flip through one at the next militaria show you attend. Best regards, Chip

Here's my little offering. Chip

TS, I really don't think these were common at all. I have been looking at period photos, studing uniforms and gear for over forty years and have seen comparitively few showing troops wearing this specialized clothing. Certainly, such a suit was not general issue, but rather was specifically for the mountain units that we have discussed previously. To find anything from these units is a feat and I have been looking for years. I have some shoulder straps, but no tunics or headgear. The only really nice thing I have is a 1917 dated pair of issue mountain boots with the heavy cleats. They are marked to the 1st Bavarian army corps and are pictured in Johan Somer's book on imperial German field uniforms and equipment. Chip

TS, The first Windjacke of 1914 had an integral hood, were reversable (gray/white) and had exposed buttons. In 1915 the hood was dropped and a stand and fall collar, as on the tunic, was adopted. Normally, the wool tunic (Schneeschuh-Litewka) was worn under the wind jacket. Unfortunately, the book with the pictures (at about 679 pages and 9 1/2" X 11 1/2") is too heavy and thick and I am afraid that trying to lay it on a scanner would damage the spine. The metal "S" on the Bluse were attached by "Splinte" split prongs. As I recall, there was only one set of holes in the middle of the collar tab/patch. Canvas is made from cotton, so I am sure it is a tighly woven cotton (watershedding). I have no other information on the manufacturer. Chip

This is a Dunkelblau tunic. The straps are much too big to be anything else. Chip

T.S., The collar patches of the "Ski" battalions had a green chainstitched "S" on a gray patch. The only metal "S" I know of was worn later on the Blusen of the J?ger Rgt.Nr.3, which, of course, was formed from the ski battalions. I have photos of this metal insignia and know of an issue Bluse with the metal "S"s. The Kraus book is in German and is currently out of print, though I understand there is a planned reprinting. It is two volumes and originally came out in 1999. The title is "Die feldgraue Uniformierung des deutschen Heeres 1907-1918". Actually, the majority of the Windjacke and Windhosen were issued. Just like any other garment worn in the army the private purchase pieces were only worn by officers and enlisted personnel who could afford them. You can see an issue Windjacke in Kraus's other book, which is available and is in English. It's name is "The German Army in the First World War, Uniforms and Equipment 1914-1918". This is primarilly a picture book of the holdings of the Bavarian Army Museum with some additional representative pieces thrown in from the Wehrgeschichtliches Museum at Rastatt. Get out your wallet, as it costs over $100. Personally, I have never seen a period picture with any insignia on the collar of a Windjacke. Of course, the tunics of the mountain units is another matter. The marking above the "Elberfeld" is the manufacturer's name, "Wilh.Norddinghaus & Co.", who made other canvas items for the wartime army. Frankly, I think this could be and government contract piece, but just what exactly, I'm still trying to determine. Chip

TS, I have looked through the available literature and the only thing that I can find that resembles your piece is in Somer's book and he calls it a private purchase, rather than an issue piece. According to Kraus, there were a couple of changes made to the Windjacke during the war, but none of the issued examples are just like yours. I'm just saying that if there are manufacturer marks, but no issue markings, it might just be a private purchase item. How about a picture of the markings? Perhaps that will help sort this out. Oh, and by the way, Kraus mentions that rank insignia could be worn on the collar starting in May of 1915, though I have yet to see photographic evidence of this. Best regards, Chip

I like the way the "ribbon in the button hole" method of wear was extended to a tunic with no exterior button holes! Soldiers didn't quite know what to do with the Bluse. I have a photo showing a group of soldiers who have all sewn a button on the outside flap of their Blusen in order to hang their field flashlights. Chip

Try The Kaiser's Bunker for all needed reference for the Dunkelblau uniform period. It's a good thing! http://www.kaisersbunker.com/gtp/husar.htm Chip

109er

1.Badisches Leib-Grenadier-Rgt. Nr.109 Chip

Here is an example of the shoulder strap from this regiment. Chip

Rick, Those would be the buttons. The tunic would be a mouse gray color and the straps like this,

Guys, These are not one year volunteer boards. They are Schutztruppen shoulder straps. If my eyes are not failing me, I think the buttons have the Kaiser crown on them. No guard infantry tunic would be this light color anyway. Is this picture dated? Chip

Rittmeister, If you could show the rest of the first photo, if would be alot easier to make an identification. The rank is basic recruit or Gemeiner. The name of the rank would depend on the type of unit, Dragoner, Ulan, Husar, Sch?tze, Grenadier, etc. Regarding the second photo, the color uniforms are most likely dark to medium blue with red collars and cuffs. This was the most common combination for infantry trooops. By regulation, these uniforms were only worn as dress uniforms after 1910, but in practice, as answer to the shortages caused by the war, they continued to be worn for service duties by trainees and other third line troops. Chip