Martin Antonenko
A Fixture
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2008
- Messages
- 8,997
Dear Planeteers!
I am currently researching the various field uniforms used by Wilhelm the Loudmouth when visiting the front for a colleague.
First and important:
Standard models or painted and drawn templates can only be used as sources to a very limited extent, since the real uniforms that "SM" wore were sometimes very elaborately (albeit very discreetly) modified in order to hide his disability as much as possible!
The left sleeve was always much shorter - and uniform pockets were placed discreetly higher on this side!
During the war, Wilhelm II used two different uniforms in particular, the so-called "early" and the so-called "late" uniform:
In 1914/16 he usually wore a Prussian general's uniform - with the rank insignia of a field marshal...:
... and the matching Pickelhaube for Generals/General Field Marshals...:
In the later phase of the 1914/18 war, however, he preferred the uniform of the Prussian 1st Guards Regiment on foot...:
The most obvious differences are the white collar tabs of the 1st Guards Regiment and the guard braids on the cuffs - the small but important detail that this uniform had no breast pockets is often overlooked!
Since he took this uniform with him into exile and later wore it there...
...it is completely preserved, along with the nickel-plated pistol with ivory grip that came with it...:
... a French (!) "Chamelot-Delvigne" revolver. On the handle you can see the monogram of his grandmother, Queen Victoria, who once gave him the gun...:
**continued next post**
I am currently researching the various field uniforms used by Wilhelm the Loudmouth when visiting the front for a colleague.
First and important:
Standard models or painted and drawn templates can only be used as sources to a very limited extent, since the real uniforms that "SM" wore were sometimes very elaborately (albeit very discreetly) modified in order to hide his disability as much as possible!
The left sleeve was always much shorter - and uniform pockets were placed discreetly higher on this side!
During the war, Wilhelm II used two different uniforms in particular, the so-called "early" and the so-called "late" uniform:
In 1914/16 he usually wore a Prussian general's uniform - with the rank insignia of a field marshal...:
... and the matching Pickelhaube for Generals/General Field Marshals...:
In the later phase of the 1914/18 war, however, he preferred the uniform of the Prussian 1st Guards Regiment on foot...:
The most obvious differences are the white collar tabs of the 1st Guards Regiment and the guard braids on the cuffs - the small but important detail that this uniform had no breast pockets is often overlooked!
Since he took this uniform with him into exile and later wore it there...
...it is completely preserved, along with the nickel-plated pistol with ivory grip that came with it...:
... a French (!) "Chamelot-Delvigne" revolver. On the handle you can see the monogram of his grandmother, Queen Victoria, who once gave him the gun...:
**continued next post**
