What is this pre-WWI German uniform?

[MattyHeiden]

My aunt has been in contact with relatives in Germany and was sent this photo.

[John G.]

MattyHeiden,
Prewar German Army....probably Prussian (from the cockaden on his hat).....rank of Unteroffizier (donated by the braid around his collar- higher NCO rank would have a "button" on each side)....if the colorization is correct I believe he's Infantry.
The cord around each shoulder strap means (I think) that he's a 6 year Volunteer or possibly an officer Candidate...
The numbers aren't clear....may be "77" which would be 77th Regtiment....not sure what color the straps are supposed to be.....
Nice looking gentleman....nice mustash.
John G.

[MattyHeiden]

John,

Thank you for the reply. So he was something similar to an corporal with 6 years of service?

That branch of the family is from the Hannover area, Uelzen mostly.

[John G.]

MattyHeiden,
Unteroffizier is the lowest rank of NCO (higher than Corporal)....not sure about the 6 Yrs service (but that would make sense....rank came very slow in the Imperial Peacetime Army.)
I'm not as "up" on Imperial (especially prewar)....but at least it's a start...
John G.

[nondescript handle]

Yep, it's the "Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 77 (2. Hannoversches)" (2nd Hanoverian infantry regiment No. 77).
State is Prussia (province Hanover), garrison was the city of Celle, so that fits with your family history.

For further uniform details see for example: http://www.kaisersbunker.com/gtp/New/infantry1.htm

The cord (Kapitulantenabzeichen) doesn't denote already served time (i.e. like service stripes), it signifies status as a Kapitulant. These were soldiers who voluntarily extended their duty for at least four and at most twelve years beyond the conscription time (usually two years for infantry).

Regards and HTH
Mark

[MattyHeiden]

Thanks people. I really appreciate your assistance.

Would he have been eligible to wear the "Waterloo" bandeau on his helmet?

[3.Jäger Rgt.]

The photo is pre-1897 as he is only wearing the state cockade. Actually, the round red cord on the straps is called "Abzeichen für erfolgte Abkommandierungen zum Lehr-Infanterie-Bataillon", which, I believe, indicated that he had been detached from his unit for training by the instructional battalion.

The Waterloo band for the regimental Pickelhaube was not introduced until 1899, so unless he was still in the army at that time, he would not have had the band.

Chip

[MattyHeiden]

So I'm a bit confused again ha

Is this Imperial German Army? Prussian? Hannoverian?

Is he a member of the Hannoverian Regiment, but detached from his unit at the time for added training?

[Auseklis]

He was an Hannoveran in a Prussian unit (with Hannoveran tradition) of the Imperial Army.
Our beloved homecountry Hannover (my family is from the Uelzen region also...) was occupied by the ruthless Prussians in 1866. The Empire was foundet in 1871.

[MattyHeiden]

Yea, they were originally from around Boddenstedt but I cannot seem to find it on a map anywhere. Hosseringen, Suderberg, Wittingen, Gifhorn are also some area names that pop up.

[history1]

Yea, they were originally from around Boddenstedt but I cannot seem to find it on a map anywhere. Hosseringen, Suderberg, Wittingen, Gifhorn are also some area names that pop up.

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%B6dde ... derburg%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gifhorn_%28district%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wittingen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B6sse ... um_Village

[MattyHeiden]

Thanks! Very useful information!

Fits in with the family tree as well.