Original Item. Only One Available. This is a very good privately purchased Imperial German infantry Waffenrock dating from the late 19th to early 20th century. The tunic is constructed from dark blue, or Dunkelblau, wool and features red Brandenburg cuffs with contrasting white piping, gilt buttons, shoulder straps bearing the regimental number 12, and company-number buttons marked 3.

Dunkelblau (dark blue) Waffenrock were typically worn by Infantry, Feldartillerie (Field Artillery), Fußartillerie (Foot Artillery) Regiments, Train (Supply), Pionier (Pioneers) and most other units. Hellblau (light blue) Waffenrock were worn by the majority of Dragoner (Mounted Infantry) Regiments (except Hessen) while dark green Waffenrock were worn by Jäger (light Infantry) Battalions.

Issued Waffenrocks tend to be dark while Eigetumsstück (privately purchased) Waffenrocks are much lighter in color. Officer's Waffenrock, when compared to an issued Waffenrock from the same unit, are considerably lighter in color as they were privately purchased. Conjointly, the lighter color was probably deemed "more fashionable" than the darker issued Waffenrocks of the men.

An AKO on 25 April 1895 announced the final refinements to the Waffenrock. The collar height on issue Waffenrock ranged from 4.5 to 5 cm, however, privately purchased Waffenrock invariably have higher collars ranging from 6 cm to 7 cm. Buttons were reduced in size from 25mm to 21mm. The rear skirt was given an actual vent on the M1895 Waffenrock, allowing the two rear skirt liner pockets to be accessed through a long vertical slit opening between the rear scallops. The color of the Waffenrock ranged from light to dark blue or green and the collar and cuffs came in a rainbow of colors as did the shoulder straps. The Waffenrock was to stay in this form until the eventual replacement by the M1907/10 Feldgrau Feldrock.

This M1867 has a lovely 2” standing collar, which is an indication of this being a private purchase example and not an issued one. The color is the correct Dunkelblau and has red Brandenburg Cuffs. The Brandenburg cuff has a horizontal panel (usually red) around the circumference of the cuff, with a vertical panel superimposed on top. The vertical panel has three buttons. Both horizontal and vertical panels are often piped in the Army Corps color which in this case is white for infantry.

The shoulder straps bear the yellow braided regimental number 12. The regimental numeral, combined with the white cuff piping and gilt buttons, identifies the tunic as being worn by an enlisted man in Königlich Bayerisches 12. Infanterie-Regiment „Prinz Arnulf“. Each shoulder strap is held in by a button embossed “3”, which denotes the company number the soldier was in. So he was in the 3rd Company.

The overall condition is nice but there are some factors that affect the condition. All buttons are present with wear to the gilt finish, and there is some deterioration to the inner lining, as well as staining, an indication of this uniform being worn. The back of the tunic does have holes and mothing present, but still displays well. There are two award loops on the left breast.

This tunic remains an attractive example of an Imperial German privately purchased infantry Waffenrock. Its numbered shoulder straps and company buttons provide useful unit-level information, while the worn gilt finish, lining deterioration, staining, moth damage, and two breast award loops preserve evidence of actual period wear.

Approximate Measurements
Collar to shoulder: 9"
Shoulder to sleeve: 25.5"
Shoulder to shoulder: 16.5"
Chest width: 18"
Waist: 16"
Hip: 21"
Front length: 30.5"