Please help ID this uniform and medal

[calaski8123]

This is a photo of my 2X Great-grandfather, born in 1852. He was a Vizefeldwebel and stationed at the Kaserne I in Stuttgart located at Gartnestrasse 1. I remember reading somewhere he may have been in IR 119 but I am not sure. I believe this photo was taken around 1880-1890 but I cannot be sure. He was married 3 times and I am not sure which wife this is and I don't see my GGM in this photo.

First, I would like to try and ID his regiment, division, unit, etc. Can we tell anything from the uniform, sword, cuffs, shoulder boards?

Second, I posted a close up of the decoration. Can anyone tell me what medal this is and anything about it?

Thank you.

Jim

[Glenn2438]

Jim,

you pretty much have him tied down. It certainly pre-dates 1892 when the single breasted tunic was introduced into the Württemberg army. The title of the regiment from 14 December 1874 onwards was Grenadier-Regiment Königin Olga (1. Württembergisches) Nr. 119. He is wearing the officers' pattern of sword as worn by the I. and II. Bataillone (as was his right as a senior NCO). The decoration is the Württemberg NCOs' long service decoration for either 15 or 9 years service. Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 119 was subordinated to 51. Infanterie-Brigade, 26. Division, both headquartered in Stuttgart. I assume this Andreas Hettich as mentioned in your other post? That being the case the photograph predates the 1889 introduction of the 2nd cuff ring for the Feldwebel. Feldwebel Hettich is shown in the 1889 Stuttgart address book as residing at the barracks (Infanteriekaserne 1) at Rothebuhlstraße 30.

Regards
Glenn

[calaski8123]

Thank you Glenn! Great info. Yes, it looks like that is the medal!

http://www.ehrenzeichen-orden.de/deutsc ... -karl.html

[Chris Dale]

Great photo Jim, I didn't know that side to your family!
Great ID work Glenn as always. You really are a life saver for these family tree people...
Cheers
Chris