German Uniforms

[DavoT]

I initially posted this picture in the soldiers thread and thought I'd post here to try to find out a bit more about the uniforms. A reply indicated they might look pre war. Any ideas out there?

TIA

David

[ph0ebus]

Interesting that the chap in the middle has a different uniform type than the others. Generally the blue uniforms were worn pre-war, but not exclusively. None of them are wearing EK ribbons, so none have been wounded.

I wonder who that fellow is off in the distance, the lookie-loo.

Any chance of a closeup of the shoulder area, to see if we can confirm what unit they are with?

-Daniel

[DavoT]

I'll see what I can do about a close up. On night shift tonight so might not be until tomorrow.

Thanks,

David

[David B]

Judging by the upper lip fuzz they look like ww1 types. Opened the photo to 400 percent and it doesn't seem to come any clearer.

Cheers

[ph0ebus]

Scanned at the highest possible DPI, you may even get some details on that guy in the background. You would really be surprised how much detail is in those old photos that is not visible to the naked eye but comes out under a strong magnifying glass (or a high-density scan).

-Daniel

[eparges]

Hi,

your guys probably belong to a guard unit(cuffs and collar with 'Litzen'), but close-ups of cuffs,cap cocade and shoulderstrap should help to determine to which...They're wearing the darkblue M1895 Waffenrock, except the one in the centre, who is wearing the M1900 'Litewka' (sort of barracks-tunic). 'Darkblue' continued to be worn till the end of the war (and sometimes beyond) as drill-dress, feldgrau was often (only) issued upon (imminent) departure for the front.

Cheers

[DavoT]

Hi eparges,

thanks for the extra information. I'll scan the picture to a higher resolution and see what more I can get out of the picture. Once again thanks to this forum, a lot has been learnt already.

David

[DavoT]

Had a bit of a play with higher resolution. Couldn't get a real good angle on the shoulder strap but having a look in The Kaisers Bunker it does look a lot like a guard insignia. As for the guy in the background, initial thoughts was just a suit but can make out what appear to be collar tabs so might well be in uniform also. If anyone wants a 600dpi scan for a better look just PM with your e-mail addy.

Thanks.

[DavoT]

Many thanks to eparges for having a look at the high resolution scans. This is what he's come up with;

'It would appear the men are wearing the M1895 Waffenrock (except for the center one, as pointed out he wears the Litewka) with insignia for the 2nd Garde Grenadier Regiment. Looking closer, they are wearing the (lower) prussian cocade with the reserve cross in them...The card was send by Unteroffizier (NCO) August Schneider, '10. Kompanie Garde Reserve Regiment', from the training camp at Döberitz. to his wife. The Garde Reserve Regiments were formed in 1914 out of the Guard depot, and contained men from different Guard Units. Unfortunately, he didn't indicate which (1 or 2) G.R.R. he is attached to...GRR 1 and 2 formed part of the 1st Garde Reserve Division.

So, to sum it up (as always, with a reserve): Reservists from the 2nd Garde Grenadier Regiment, at training/assembly in 1914 at Döberitz, attached to the 1st or 2nd Garde Reserve Regiment, 10.Kompanie, 1st Garde Reserve Divsion.'

It would be interesting to find out it August and his kamerads survived the war.

Thanks once again,

David