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German M.16 Steel Helmet This nice old helmet I acquired from a second hand shop in London on 12th September 1964 and it cost the princely sum of 40 shillings or 2 pounds. The dealer wanted originally "our price 45 bob", as they said in those days. I bargained a little, agreed on 2 pounds and left a deposit of ten shillings, and then started saving my pocket money like mad, and about one month later I paid the rest and was the pround young owner of a German Steel Helmet. At first I wondered a little at the curious shape and with the horns, but then after looking at many pictures, tv-documentaries about the Great War and WWII, I realised it was a WWI piece. Was still very proud of this old piece. The helmet in is very good condition, as fresh from the, possibly, Somme battlefields, just as brought back. Paintwork is astonishingly intact, just minor wear, the leather liner complete and fresh, just slighly wear stained. The original brass strap holders were still in place, no strap. Later learned that these straps were taken from the pickelhaube when the steel helmet was worn. The first steel helmets were left in the trenches when the troops were relieved, and these handed over to the newcomers. This helmet bears a stamp ET64 shell size 64, and produced by the Eisenhüttenwerk in Thale/Harz, one of the first manufacturers. Inside the shell is a small stamp: R/18, presumably Infanterie-Regt.18, which was based in Posen. The first steel helmets were issued for the assault on Verdun, but only in very small numbers, until gradually production capacities increased, so that most infantry had helmets by August-September 1916. The first steel helmet appeared in February 1916 in small numbers on the Verdun Front - 100 years ago

An old period chart showing insignia for one year volunteers. The shoulder straps were edged with a twisted coloured cord in the colours of their state. They were usually expected to provide their own uniform and equipment, and these were often in a fine quality compared to officers items. The one year volunteers usually came from well situated families, and after qualifying in studies or a civilian profession, had the possibility of later becoming a Reserve Officer.

A 1911 dated field cap for Artillery, Pionier and other technical troops of the Prussian Army. The cap is in reasonable condition for age and the considerable wear which it has been through. It has been profusely stamped with issue and re-issue marks. In Prussia nothing was ever thrown away, things were always used, repaired, reconditioned and passed on for wear by other units. The first issue marks were B.A.G.1911 and K.B.1911 and 2.Komp., which was the Bekleidungs Amt Garde for the clothing issue office, K.B. would most likely be Kraftfahr-Bataillon, which was also first raised in 1911. There is also a later stamp of Inst.Werkstatt Düsseldorf (Instandsetzungs-Werkstatt), where it would have been repaired for re-issue, various other marks and St.A.Sonnbg., which would sound like Strafanstalt Sonnenburg, which was a notorious prison (cockades would not have been worn here!). The cockades appear to have been period re-fitted, as they have the correct original coloured backing cloth behind them. The red piping has turned to a crimson tone through staining and chemical changes in the dyes. An interesting piece of history. Rare to find a stamped, issued example. Private purchase example with handwritten entry, Ersatz-Reservist Friedrichs, 1. Batterie, (Niedersächsisches) Fuß Artl. 10 as a comparison

Field grey infantry peaked cap with patent leather strap. Cap could be either for Hessen, I.R. 115, 116, 117, 118 or 168. In very clean, fresh condition, fine doeskin cloth, brown waxcloth sweatband, slight traces of wear to inside, only very slight traces of mothing, ca. 1914-16 - over 100 years old. Purchased in early 1968 in Londons Portobello Road for only 5 pounds!

A 1915 Infantry officer peaked fieldcap. Lacquered peak and visor strap. Mid to late war manufacture, a damast silk material has been used to make the lining. Peak is deep red inside, as also fixing ribbon to leather sweatband. Some smaller holes, silk crown lining is somewhat shot, some rust stains to outer crown. A 1915 pattern Feldmütze mit Schirm for NCOs with Hessian cockade. Fine doeskin material, with peak and strap. No internal marks. A textbook example of a 1907/15 fieldcap, Feldmütze or Krätzchen for Garde-Infanterie. 1916 dated, still of good pre-war quality. Maker's inkstamp: Thomsen and size 58 1/2 and K.B.A.G 1916, a further stamp: 3.K. F.B. Cockades were always stitched vertically, and not horizontally on original headdress! Almost mint straight from storage, purchased by my father for 4 pounds in March 1970. A well worn field cap, 1916 undated, with stamp B.J.A.III, Co.11 and size stamp 52, some further illegible stamps. B.J.A. is Bekleidungs- Instandsetzungs-Amt - here clothing was either repaired or made from scratch as required. The 3. Army Corps was for the province of Brandenburg, but was issued in Berlin. One small hole to middle of crown, some age discolouring of lining, otherwise very good condition. A well worn 1916 infantry field cap stamped B.A.VI., 1916, this being the Silesian army corps (Breslau), which normally had the Prussian cockade. Cockade is of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, which does not co-incide with the stamp. This was typical of troop movements of regiments and units or personnel being moved to other army corps. The Cockade is original period stitched, with a strip of white underlaying cloth as always. A perfect example of a 1915 infantry field cap with it's original issued "Tarnstreifen" or covering band. This of ribbed, grey woven cotton material fastened at the rear by a sliding buckle and with a buttonhole fitting concealing the cockade on the band. Issue stamp B.A.XV. (Metz / Lothringen), dated 1916 and with size stamp 56 and maker's mark: A.Grieshaber. Almost mint, slight corrosion to grey-coated sliding buckle. Certainly unworn. This was one of the first steps in rendering the 1915 uniform less conspicuous in the field. The covering band could be easily removed when required. Apparently straight from storage into an auction, purchased many years ago. A textbook example of the 1917 universal pattern fieldcap. Almost mint, possibly unissued, with a later Belgian red ink stamp of a Theater costume company from "Anvers", Antwerpen. Liner stamped with B.A.XI undated, and a maker's ink stamp "Schleiz" Gr. 54. Schleiz is a small town in Thüringen. State cockade was plain black, unpainted, as if unissued, or otherwise the paintwork has chipped off in storage through time. As originally folded. Almost mint with just one tiny pinhole. Purchased in Portobello Road in 1966 for just 1 pound and 10 shillings. Many years ago I restored the white ring on the state cockade, assuming it was Prussian issue. Remaining stocks of these caps were worn by the Reichswehr with only one cockade, and by the police for exercise dress without cockades till at least the end of the 1920s. A version of this with a soft cloth peak was also produced postwar. A formal dress peaked cap for an officer of the Prussian Artillery, etc., ca. 1915. Black velvet band and red piped. Peak inner and sweatband in regulation grey as from September 1915. Handwritten name: Tode. Silk crown liner slightly shot. Reichskokarde was missing (removed after 9. November 1918), since replaced. Artillery field cap marked to B.A.XIV 1915, Baden, but with Prussian cockade A well worn field cap of the Bavarian Artillery. Stamp of B.J.A. Augsburg (Bekleidungs-Instandsetzungs-Amt), some further washed out stamps ga and F.B., rest illegible. Some Ersatzmaterial has been used to complete the liner. Bavarian and Reichskokarde to front., ca. 1915. Reichskokarde was missing (removed after 9. November 1918), now with original correct replacement.

A Feldmütze, Stallmütze or Reitmütze for cavalry, similar to infantry. As it has a squadron marking, this example does not originate from the infantry. Being dark blue and with red facings, it could only be from Ulanen-Regiments 1-8, all of which wore red facings. The cap is probably made by a regimental workshop, and the top has been made from two sections of cloth! A typical sign of thriftyness of the Prussian army. This is a typical issue example as worn in the field or in working dress. Has been folded together for many years, as was also carried in saddle pack when not worn. Cap could be folded together and stored in saddlepack when the Tschapka was worn. White cotton lining with name tag of Gefreiter Kühr, 5. Eskadron. No regimental markings. Top of cap has been made from two sections of cloth, a typical sign of thriftyness of the Prussian military. This would not be noticeable.

A peaked cap for Unteroffiziere, ca. 1897-1900 in the typical low form of the period, and with the Reichskokarde for other ranks of Husaren-Regiment von Zieten (Brandenburgisches) No. 3, based in Rathenow, belonging to the III. Army Corps. At the time peaked caps were not permitted for the other ranks of the cavalry, these were first permitted as from 1912 The cap is as per the Attila (jacket), bright red, and has a darkblue band piped in white. Prussian- and Reichskokarde in ranks and n.c.o. version. The peak has been re-attached at a later date and is not originally from the period. Brown leather sweat band and cream coloured liner with silver embossed maker mark: Herm. Salender - gegenüber der Kaserne - Rathenow and has an embossed Royal Prussian coat of arms, which would deem the maker as by appointment to the royal household. In this regiment served quite a few members of the Prussian and other Royal Houses, amongst others was Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught, Herzog zu Sachsen, K.H., who in 1914 changed sides, serving as Governor General of Canada, renouncing all German titles in 1917. Ernst August of Braunschweig was also "à la suite des Regiments", holding the rank of Rittmeister in 1913, when he married the daughter of the Kaiser, Viktoria Luise, Prinzessin von Preußen. Emblem for the sabretâche of most Husaren-Regiments with white facing lace.

Prussian infantry other ranks' field cap. Cap band has darkened through wear and weathering, the crown piping is still almost bright red. White cotton lining with issue stamp of 3. Thüringisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr.71 - II. Bataillon, 8. Kompagnie, 1901. Stitched in cotton label with wearer's details: Musketier Witzmann, 3. Thür. Inf. Regt. 71, 8. Kompagnie. Further handwritten name: Pötsch Both cockades have been resewn at some stage, the Reichskokarde has been repainted. The I. Bataillon was stationed in Sondershausen and wore the cockade of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, white/blue. II. and III. Bataillon were stationed in Erfurt, IV. Armee-Korps. The regiment was raised in 1860. Kammerstempel, regimental details from 1901 and name label of wearer.

An other ranks peaked cap for walking out dress of the Prussian Jäger-Bataillone or Garde-Jäger-Bataillon ca. 1897 or therafter. Reichskokarde has been added after 1897. Fine dark green cloth with red facings, small pressed leather peak, leather headband, interior handwritten markings, Name Groth ? I. Compagnie, no makers mark. For any of the Prussian Jäger-Bataillone, other than Jäger-Btl. 7 (Schaumburg-Lippe) and Jäger-Btl. 14 (Mecklenburg)

Transferred to new article under "fieldgrey"

Bavarian cap cockades: Officer Reserve-Officer Other ranks' field cap (stitched on) Pair of rank buttons for Feldwebel, M.1916, silver subdued (see previous article) Rank buttons for Gefreiter, gold, various singles, one right and two left, pre 1916 Bayern, Sergent - Feldwebel, Rangknöpfe

Prussian Heavy Cavalry Breast- and Backplate A Kürass of the Prussian heavy Cavalry, as worn by all eight line regiments. The breast and backplate have both original rough white linen liner, the breastplate has a large pocket in the liner for the field cap. There is a cloth name tag attached, Kürassier Lindau, Kür.8, 5. Esk. Both steel pieces are stamped under the left armpit with regiimental details, at slight variance: 8.K. 2.E. the 2E has been stroked out and replaced by 5.E.30, being the 5th squadron, weapon no.30. The backplate has 8.K. 5.E. and a weapon no.31. The piece is undated, but can be dated between 1888 - 1914. In the 1850s new cuirasses were made to replace the old models from the Napoleonic Wars, mostly of captured French stock. In 1888 the cuirass was abolished for field service and retained only for ceremonial occasions. New cuirasses were then introduced, being of a thin leightweight steel, no longer protective. The cuirasse was then officially abolished in January 1916 with the old coloured peacetime uniforrms. The cuirasse was always worn with a white leather shoulder bandelier with black cartridge box, or Kartuschkasten. This was fitted with a round brass medallion with the Prussian eagle and trophies A broadsword or Pallasch was worn. The example shown belonged to Kürassier-Regiment Graf Gessler (Rheinisches) No.8, of whom King George V was the last honorary commander in chief. This regiment wore a white Koller with bright green facings and yellow metal buttons, the shoulder straps bore the crowned monogram of King George V.. The cuirasse is displayed with a helmet of Kürassier-Regt.2, not matching.

Westpreussisches Fussartillerie-Regiment No. 11, based in Thorn a.d. Weichsel, West Prussia, XVII. Armee-Korps. A photo from album of uniforms previously in my collection, and a uniform type that is seldom encountered. The tunic is in similar cut to the infantry pattern, but with the red-piped black facings of the artillery, it has the typical "Brandenburg" cuffs of the infantry. The cuff patch is of dark blue tunic cloth, the remaining cuff black with red edge piping as shown. The shoulder straps for all foot artillery regiments were white with a red regimental number. A shoulder button with the company number was also worn. The foot artillery was issued with the same basic equipment as the infantry, however, belt and leather equipment were white, cartridge boxes were always black (bayonet frog in picture should also be white). They were usually armed with the standard infantry rifle, a carbine is shown in the photo. The helmet was of same pattern as per infantry, but with a non-removable ball-top fitting, as no plumes were worn. As from 1897 leather chinstraps were worn, whereas the field artillery units wore chinscales.

Schleswig-Holsteinisches Ulanen-Regiment No. 15 Commander in Chief: Generaloberst Prinz Leopold von Preussen, K.H. Commander: Oberst von Printz Garrison: Saarburg/Lothringen (XXI. Armeekorps) A matching pair of Epaulettes for other ranks or n.c.o. ca. 1880-1890. These are considerably larger than later examples. Buttons of 1.Eskadron, one of which is a replacement. Traces of age and wear. Peakless cap and Pass-Gurtel for other ranks or n.c.o. The cap has a maker's name, Uwe N.Breininger, Militair Mützen Fabrik, Saarburg i./Lothr., Lange Str.70. The belt has a red ink stamp of U.R.15 Further photos are of a yellow Tschapka-Rabatt, which was fitted around the Tschapka throat for parade and full dress . The braid loop is for attachment of the cap-lines when worn. The Rabatt is for the older Tschapka model of 1867, which had a larger top than later models. Uniform: Dark blue "Ulanka" with yellow facings, white metal buttons. Tschapka with white metal fitings. The regiment formed a joint brigade together with Ulanen-Regiment 11, also based in Saarburg. The regiment was raised in 1867 and first based in Perleburg, Kyritz and Wusterhausen. After the war of 1870/71 the regiment was based in Strassburg/Elsass. In 1896 it moved to Saarburg. In August 1914 the regiment saw duty in patrolling the frontier in Lorraine. In September it took part in the advance to Amiens and Compiègne. After the retreat, the regiment was sent to the coast during the "race to the sea", where it saw service as dismounted infantry until December. The joint brigade then saw service till April 1915 in the Vosges and was involved in the fighting around Hartmannsweiler-Kopf. The brigade then saw service in the rear areas in Belgium. On 15th December 1916 the brigade was sent to the Eastern Front, where it remained till the end of March 1918. It was in the line at Dünaburg and advanced to Estonia and Livland. After the return to the Western Front, the brigade was converted into a fighting unit and from May 1918 took part in the defensive battles till the end of the war. After the return home, the brigade was demobilised in Osterburg/Altmark. The tradition of the regiment was maintained by 3rd Squadron, Reiter-Regiment No.11 in Gera. Further illustrations of a Ulanka of U.R.15 for a one-year volunteer, very similiar to the example I once had. Illustration by A.v.Seebach, 1885 of an Ulan (Gefreiter) of Schleswig-Holsteinisches Ulanen-Regiment 15

Was given this beautifull old cap today by someone who thought it was an old Navy cap from his family. A member of that family had perished on a U-Boot during WW1. However, this cap turned out to be a military cap from Braunschweig, Duchy of Brunswick. I had never seen a cap before in this colour combination, and it is a very early example - before March 1897, as it has never had a Reichskokarde, just the Brunswick cockade, dark blue with a gold ring and a silver Landwehr Cross, denoting the status of the wearer. The cockade is also the officer version, as the ring is gilded and not lacquered. The old Brunswick uniforms before 1886 differed entirely from the Prussian. The Infantry had a blueblack tunic with concealed buttons and light blue collars and cuffs, the Tschako in Brunswick pattern was worn. With the blue band and crown piping, it also has an additional yellow piping to upper and lower edges of the band. This possibly denoting a Militärbeamter or official. Brunswick was a very small state and only had one infantry regiment, 92, Husaren-Regiment 17 and 2 batteries of Artillery later attached to Feldartillerie-Regiment 46 in Wolfenbüttel and Celle. The silver Landwehr Cross has the tiny inscription M.Gott.f.Fürst u.Vaterland above a wreath. There are two name entries within the liner, Jürges and Heuer, both attached to the family this came from. It came complete in a very old hat box, probably not belonging to the cap. There is also a makers mark in the lining August Hessemeyer, Helmstedt. The cap came with an old hat or cap box, very slightly too small, but around same age (photo). Cap has now had a light cleaning, first of all with a vacuum cleanter, then with steam, avoiding contact to leather parts. As a comparison, a re-enactment photo of the Brunswick Leib-Bataillon during the Napoleonic Wars. The traditional colours were adhered to till 1886. The Tschako bore the Brunswick "Todtenkopf" device. The traditional tunic after the Napoleonic Wars was known as a "Polrock", the cut being of Polish origin. Brunswick cockade for Reserve and Landwehr in blue and gold. Fine silver miniature Landwehr cross with inscription: "Mit Gott für Fürst u. Vaterland" Inside of leather peak is red. Maker's mark of August Hessemeyer, Helmstedt, handwritten name, Heuer Other Brunswick headdress of the old pattern Tschako for Infanterie-Regiment 92, III. or Füsilier-Bataillon, worn till 1886 (Internet photo) Tschako-Emblem for Infanterie-Regiment 92, I. and II. Bataillon, worn with the old uniform till 1886, after which, a spiked helmet was introduced (Internet photo) A WW1 period photo stated to be of a Brunswick Landsturmmann Herzogl. Braunschweigische Post, Briefträger, 1850. Brunswick infantry: Füsiliere, with Russian "Kiwer" style Tschako, ca. 1840. Print by Dietrich Monten. A re-enactment group. Not all quite 100 percent

Tschako Plate most likely for post 1920 Reitende Landgendarmerie*, Land Mecklenburg. Identical to the emblem of II. Btl. Grenadier-Regiment 89 for Mecklenburg-Strelitz, which did not bear a crown in its emblem. However, this is the version adapted for wear on the Tschako as worn by the above mentioned authorities after 1920. During February 1918, Adolf Friedrich VI. died without leaving any heirs to the throne. Friedrich Franz IV. of Mecklenburg-Schwerin took over the regency of the state until his abdication in November 1918. In 1920 both lands of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz were united as one state as Freistaat Mecklenburg within the Weimar Republik. Tschako models of the period are known in two versions, the Tschako was in the form of the traditional Prussian Tschako, with the difference that the head part was formed of spanish cane and covered with either bright red or bright green cloth. The top and the bottom edging and peaks were in the usual black lacquered leather. A cockade was worn in the colours of Mecklenburg, red-yellow-blue. * The Reitende Landgendarmerie Mecklenburg-Strelitz (Distrikt-Husaren) wore the red topped Tschako, the Gendarmerie zu Fuß wore a light green coloured Tschako.

Other ranks cap for walking out dress of Niedersächsisches Fußartillerie-Regiment Nr. 10, based in Straßburg/E., XV. Armee-Korps. Marked in the blue lining is the name of the wearer: Ersatz-Reservist Friedrichs, 1. Batr. (Batterie) Fuß Artr. 10 Late peacetime example around 1914.

A fine quality private purchase soft cap either for Kürassier-Regiment von Driesen (Westf.) Nr.4, based in Münster (VII. Armee-Korps). or possibly Regiment Gardes du Corps in Potsdam, same uniform colours. Most certainly from K.R.4, as the makers name in silver letting within states: Heinrich Sax, Münster i./W. Fine quality white and red doeskin cloth, white silk lining with silver embossed makers name and soft brown leather sweatband, this cap would also have been suitable as a field cap. General condition is good, with slight wear, two areas of moth damage to white top and one to the band at the rear. Very rare. Reichscockade is an original replacement, the Prussian cockade slightly restored. The regiment has a rather nice memorial in Münster, still standing.

A dress cap for other ranks of the Mecklenburg regiments, Grenadier-Regiment 89 or Füsilier-Regiment 90 It could also be for Dragoner-Regiment 17. The dragoon regiments usually had a lighter blue uniform, but this varied in shade from light to cornflower blue. Fine quality dark blue cloth with red band and crown piping, band with internal stiffener and brown leather sweat band, the interior with a saffran coloured silk lining. The sweat band is detached at the front, evidence that this could have also been a peaked cap (peak now missing). No makers details. On the band is the cockade in Mecklenburg colours, red, gold, blue, which is an NCO version, the Reichscockade as a normal version, not matching, a later replacement. Peaked caps were permitted for the cavalry as from 1912. Condition otherwise very fresh. Purchased at a flea market in Hamburg in the mid 1970s for 10 D-Mark.

An officers peaked cap, ca. 1905-1910 from 2. Hannoversches Dragoner-Regiment No.16, based in Lüneburg, belonging to the X. Army Corps (Hannover) The regiment wore darkblue (cornflower blue) as regimental colour, but the officers always wore a pale blue, which can vary. The cap band is lemon yellow, upper edge piped in white. Plain brown liner and waxcloth sweatband. The cap shows some age, slilght fading and slight moth damage in places.

Uniform accessories for an officer of Husaren-Regiment 15: See also previous articles about Husaren-Regiment 15 Officer's cap, worn by Major Freiherr von Tettau. Bandelier and Kartuschkasten with crowned FWR monogram. The bandelier is backed in blue uniform cloth as per the Attila, with silver brocade and silver plated fittings. Worn from the left shoulder to the right hip - the buckle to the rear. Säbeltasche, yellow cloth, silver braid, red maroquin leather, hangers of patent leather with fire-gilded bronze fittings The Säbeltasche is in need of some restoration, yellow cloth is faded, the braid has at some time been overpainted with silverbronze, which requires carefull removal. All extremely rare items. Kavallerie-Degen 89, non-issue, with engraved Regimental motives. Members badges for the Regimental associations (later)

Tunic for other ranks, private purchase, from the Bavarian Infanterie-Leib-Regiment, stationed in München. This Regiment was the Royal Household Regiment of the Kings of Bavaria, and was raised in 1814, belonged to the I. Bavarian Army Corps. The tunic is of a lighter blue than the Prussian regiments, and as often encountered, of a ribbed cloth material, commonly seen with Bavarian private purchase uniforms. This was the only regiment in the German army to wear buttons with a crown on the peacetime uniforms. It was also the only Bavarian regiment to wear white metal buttons, Swedish cuffs and Garde-Litzen. All other regiments wore the Brandenburg Cuff. It also has the unusual feature of a white piping to the upper cuff edge. The shoulder straps for all Bavarian infantry regiments were red, in this example with a yellow woven crown. The shoulder buttons have an impressed 3 for the 3rd company (wrongly restitched). The helmet had all white metal fittings, including the chinscales, no parade plumes were worn. The regiment served in 1916 on the Verdun front and suffered heavy losses. Chevauleger helmet - identical to the helmet worn by the Leibregiment till the introduction of the new helmets in 1896.

Uniform items for a Rittmeister der Reserve of 2. Hannoversches Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 16, based in Lüneburg. Regimental Chief was King Albert of Belgium. The white metal helmet emblem had a Waterloo scroll, regimental colours were lemon yellow, collar and cuffs piped white, buttons silver. Old photo of items no longer in my collection. N.B.: These items would not have been worn together in this order. The cap is the so-called "Reitmütze", more often seen on a racecourse and with a sportive jaunty look, not matching a dress tunic with epaulettes, also of a slightly darker blue tone than the tunic. The "Feldbinde" (belt) would also not be worn with epaulettes, an officers sash (Paradeschärpe) would have been worn. The weapon shown is the Kavallerie-Säbel M.1852, worn till 1889 but still favoured by some officers, etc.

Peaked cap for other ranks for walking out dress from Royal Saxon 5. Infanterie-Regiment No.104, 8th Company, based in Chemnitz i./Sa. Dark blue top, darker than in photo, red band and crown piping, small black lacquered leather peak, brown glazed calico lining and leather sweatband with silver embossed maker's mark Franz Ruttloff, Chemnitz, Lange Strasse 51. There is an issue stamp: 104.R., 8.C. and a large stamped E, meaning that the recruit has purchased the cap for his own property, E meaning "Eigenthum". The cap can be dated around 1897 to 1900 by its low shape, and the Reichskokarde was added after 22. March 1897. The regiment was formed in 1701 and belonged to the XIX. Army Corps. The state cockade is white with a green ring. A considerable quantity of Saxon items has emerged on the market since the re-unification in 1990, this item purchased then.

Shoulder strap, September 1915 for Feldartillerie-Regiment Prinzregent Luitpold von Bayern (Magdeburgisches) No.4 based in Magdeburg, raised 1814. As from September 1915 shoulder straps for all field artillery units were bright red. Backing in fieldgrey. Below the crowned monogram of PRL is a flaming artillery grenade. Prinzregent Luitpold ruled Bavaria from 1886 till 1912 (Interregnum). The regiment belonged to the IV. A.K. (Prussia) Shoulder strap, 1914/15 for 1.Feldartillerie-Regiment Prinzregent Luitpold (Bavaria) based in München, raised 1824 and belonged to the I. Bavarian Armee Korps. After the outbreak of war, some shoulder straps were subject to simpified manufacture and without piping. On rough stonegrey serge. Monogram PRL slightly faded, damage to crown. The Bavarian artillery regiments wore no grenade on shoulder straps Königlich Bayerisches 1. Feldartillerie-Regiment Prinz-Regent Luitpold, Einjährig-Freiwilliger