Quick guide for the Lazy:
Musketeer Uniforms
Musketeer Ranker
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The Coat The basic uniform of the Line infantry of the Prussian army consisted of a dark blue coat, with lapels, collars, and cuffs in the regional color (ex. White for Pommeriania). This 'kollet' coat began being issued at the end of 1807, and was more functional then previous coats. The front of the coat had two rows of brass buttons. The turnbacks of the coat were red for all regiments.
The Shako For headgear, the Prussian line infantry wore a black shako, with a white ring on top, with plumes in the regimental color (they were only worn on parades). On campaign it was worn with an oilskin cover. The shako had a black chin strap.
The Knapsack All Prussian infantrymen carried a light brown calfskin knapsack, and a grey linen bread bag, which was fixed on a linen strap hanging below the knapsack.
Breeches The Prussian army had two kinds of breeches, summer and winter. The summer breeches were white, and were worn over the gaiters. The winter breeches were a middle grey color, that would be tucked into gaiters right above the knee.
Boots And Gaiters The gaiters were dark grey, and went up to about knee length. The gaiters were worn over the breeches. | |
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Other Parts of the Uniform
The Great Coat Each Prussian infantryman was also given a great coat for winter weather, this coat was worn over the shoulder when not in use, and was used to store items, and to block sabre cuts. A piece of leather cloth was used to wrap around the roll to prevent it from falling apart.
^Prussian Infantryman wearing his great coat |
Collars, Cuffs, and Shoulder Straps Each one of the Prussian infantry regiments was defined by the color if it's cuffs and collar, which defined it's province, and it's should straps to represent regimental seniority within a region. Each province had it's own color, shown here:
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CrossbeltsEach Prussian infantryman had two white crossbelts, one on each shoulder. The belt over the right shoulder carried the soldiers short sword. The left should carried the cartridge pouch.
The Cartridge PouchTHe cartridge pouch was made of leather and contained 60 rounds of ammunition. There was a large brass badge on the center (varied from regiment to regiment).
The Short SwordThe short sword was worn over the left shoulder, and hung on the right hip. It was only issues during campaign. The sword had a brass hilt with a black grip. The scabbard was black weather with brass fittings. Around the hit was a knot that distinguished the company in the regiment.
Sword Knot Company Distinctions:
Musketeer Unteroffizier
The Unteroffiziers of the line infantry regiments were the equivalent to modern day sergeants. It was the unteroffizier's duty to stand behind the triple ranked infantry line and correct the spacings, and to keep the men in line. The Unteroffiziers of the line infantry wore uniforms that were very similar to the infantry, but were slightly more immaculate. The biggest changes were:
Unteroffizier in the 2nd Silesian (Nr 12) Infantry Regiment
| Shako The Unteroffizier's shako h-ad a gold band on the top, instead of a white band.This was done to be able to identify the unteroffizier from the rankers; however, since in battle the oilskin cover was worn over the shako, the gold band would only be seen on parade
Collar and Cuffs The NCO's collar and cuffs were also lined with gold. Unlike the shako, this could be seen in battle, and would distinguish NCO's from rankers of the regiment.
Boots NCO's also got to wear more immaculate marching boots,similar to those of officers |
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| Two more Views of Silesian Unteroffizers The Rifled Carbine The NCO on the right is carrying a 1787 pattern fusilier musket, a more accurate rifled musket.
The NCO belt Infantry NCO's in addition to the crossbelts, also wore a white belt; however, this belt has also been seen on rankers of the musketeers, so it is unconfirmed if it was exclusively given to NCO's.
The Cane Not seen here, infantry Felbwebels were also equipped with canes for disciplinary action. The Cane was looped from the second button of the Kollet.
Other Differences Senior NCO's also carried an officers sword and sword knot. NCO's in colour guards were armed with a pike | |
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Musketeer Junior Officer
The Junior officers of the musketeer battalions were the men in charge on the company level of the battalions. A kapitan would be in charge of each company, and a senior (PremierLeutnant) would be in charge of one of the company's first division (zug) and another leutnant would be in charge of the second.
| The Coat The coat of the officers was almost identical to that of the rankers, the dark blue double breasted Kollet, with two rows of eight yellow metal buttons. The front of the Kollet was cut to the waist, at the rear there were two short tails, which were knee length fot officers.
The Shako This was made of black felt and was 7in (17.8cm) high. The circumference at the top measured 22 in (55.8cm). The upper edge was trimmed in gold for NCO's and officers and white for all other ranks. A black leather peak was attached. The black leather chinstrap was 3/4in (1.9cm) wide. A black and white (black & silver for officers) circular pompom was affixed to the top of the shako. Officers also had a double gold chain affixed at the front to the pompom, drawn down and around the sides to be held by two heraldic gold eagles (one each side).
The Knapsack On campaign the officers wore knapsacks identical to that of the rankers of the regiment.
Breeches Legwear consisted of black/grey flecked long trousers which had 18 brass or German silver buttons one inch apart along the outside seams, the buttoned over edge of which was piped in red. The trouser was worn over the boots In 1815 the trousers were modified by removing the buttons and placing a one inch wide red stripe either side of the piping.
Boots And Gaiters The officers wore either Gaiters like the men did, or Marching boots, either tucked in from the breaches, or worn over. |
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The Sash Around the waist was worn the officers sash. This was Silver with two black silk stripes worked into it. The silver tassels which were hung from the left hip were flecked with black
The Interimsrock and Uberrock Officers were also entitled to wear a blue, single-breasted coat known as an 'Interimsrock', and a light-grey double-breasted overcoat, the 'Uberrock', with two rows of buttons, six in each side on the breast
| | The Sword The sword was attached a silver and black mixed sword knot. Infantry officers all carried identical swords, they were straight bladed sabres, a different model then used by the cavalry. Some Infantry officers have also been seen using light cavalry sabres, as seen on the left.
The Epaulettes Shoulder straps coloured as for the rank and file, piped in red and decorated with black trimmed silver lace were worn up until mid 1814, when epaulettes were introduced. The epaulettes were topped as the shoulder strap, with the metal crescent and fringe being in the button colour.
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| Kapitan of the First Battalion, 1st Pommeranian (Nr2.) Infantry Regiment
Note the:
-Knapsack of the ranker -The oilskin cover on the Shako -The shoulder Straps have not yet been replaced by Epaulettes |
| Kapitan of the First Battalion, 1st Silesian (Nr12.) Infantry Regiment
Note the:
-Greatcoat worn over the shoulder in the fashion of a ranker -The oilskin shako cover -The canteen of the ranker |
Line Infantry Regiment Officers
The Senior officers of a line infantry were the Major, Oberstleutnant, and the Oberst. These officers wore uniforms similar to the junior officers; however, they had a few key differences: 1. These officers were almost always mounted. 2. The senior officers choice of headgear was slightly different from the junior officer shako.
| The Coat The Senior officers wore the basic infantry Kollet with attached Epaulette.
The Cap Officers had the choice between the officer shako and a simple felt cap.
Breeches Senior officers wore the same pants as junior officers.
Boots Since they were always mounted, senior officers wore black leather riding boots.
The Epaulettes Shoulder straps coloured as for the rank and file, piped in red and decorated with black trimmed silver lace were worn up until mid 1814, when epaulettes were introduced. The epaulettes were topped as the shoulder strap, with the metal crescent and fringe being in the button colour.
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Fusilier Uniforms
The Fusiliers were the third battalion of all Prussian line infantry regiments. They served as light infantry, being able to skirmish when the time called for it. The Fusiliers were selected from the smallest and most agile of the Prussian line infantry. The Fusilier's uniforms were almost identical to that of the line infantry except for black crossbelts instead of white ones.
Fusilier Ranker
The Coat The fusiliers, like the line infantry wore the short Kollet jacket, double breasted with eight brass buttons per side.
The Shako The Shako of the line infantry was also that of the Fusiliers, worn with an oilskin cover on campaign.
The Knapsack All Prussian infantrymen carried a light brown calfskin knapsack, and a grey linen bread bag, which was fixed on a linen strap hanging below the knapsack.
Breeches like the infantry Fusiliers wore white/grey breeches.
Boots And Gaiters The gaiters were dark grey, and went up to about knee length. The gaiters were worn over the breeches.
Crossbelts Each Prussian infantryman had two white crossbelts, one on each shoulder. The belt over the right shoulder carried the soldiers short sword. The left should carried the cartridge pouch. The only difference in uniform between the line and the fusiliers is that they used black crossbelts instead of white.
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Two Additional Views of Fusiliers
Fusilier Unteroffizier
The Unteroffiziers of the fusilier battalions were the equivalent to modern day sergeants. It was the unteroffizier's duty to stand behind the triple ranked infantry line and correct the spacings, and to keep the men in line. The Unteroffiziers of the line infantry wore uniforms that were very similar to the infantry, but were slightly more immaculate. The unteroffiziers also helped direct the fire of their squads with their rifles. The biggest changes were:
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The Coat The basic uniform of the Line infantry of the Prussian army consisted of a dark blue coat, with lapels, collars, and cuffs in the regional color (ex. White for Pommeriania). Like all line infantrymen, the unteroffiziers of the Fusiliers also wore the Kollet, the only difference between the Kollet of the unteroffizier and the ranker was the cuffs and colar. The Kollet of the Fusilier NCO was identical to that of a musketeer battalion NCO.
Shako The Unteroffizier's shako h-ad a gold band on the top, instead of a white band.This was done to be able to identify the unteroffizier from the rankers; however, since in battle the oilskin cover was worn over the shako, the gold band would only be seen on parade
Collar and Cuffs The NCO's collar and cuffs were also lined with gold. Unlike the shako, this could be seen in battle, and would distinguish NCO's from rankers of the regiment.
Boots NCO's also got to wear more immaculate marching boots,similar to those of officers
The Rifled Musket and Cartridge Pouch Fusilier NCOs were equipped with Rifles, which made them more accurate then the rankers of the regiment. These rifles were rather short, and were generally black in color. In addition to the rifle to NCOs often carried their cartridge pouches on their front, on the NCO belt. This is not pictured here, but can be seen on the other picture of the fusilier NCO.
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Notice:
-The cartridge pouch
-Single crossbelt (the other not being needed when the cartridge pouch on the belt.
-The marching boots
-The white gloves (?) (No information given on gloves)
Fusilier Junior Officer
The Junior officers of the Fusilier battalions were the men in charge on the company level of the battalions. A kapitan would be in charge of each company, and a senior (PremierLeutnant) would be in charge of one of the company's first division (zug) and another leutnant would be in charge of the second. The junior officers would lead their men when they were in skirmish order.
| The Coat The Coat of the Fusiliers was the exact same as the line.
The Shako This was made of black felt and was 7in (17.8cm) high. The circumference at the top measured 22 in (55.8cm). The upper edge was trimmed in gold for NCO's and officers and white for all other ranks. A black leather peak was attached. The black leather chinstrap was 3/4in (1.9cm) wide. A black and white (black & silver for officers) circular pompom was affixed to the top of the shako. Officers also had a double gold chain affixed at the front to the pompom, drawn down and around the sides to be held by two heraldic gold eagles (one each side).
The Knapsack On campaign the officers wore knapsacks identical to that of the rankers of the regiment.
Breeches Legwear consisted of black/grey flecked long trousers which had 18 brass or German silver buttons one inch apart along the outside seams, the buttoned over edge of which was piped in red. The trouser was worn over the boots In 1815 the trousers were modified by removing the buttons and placing a one inch wide red stripe either side of the piping.
Boots And Gaiters The officers wore either Gaiters like the men did, or Marching boots, either tucked in from the breaches, or worn over. The Sash Around the waist was worn the officers sash. This was Silver with two black silk stripes worked into it. The silver tassels which were hung from the left hip were flecked with black
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