"Wurtemburg Infantry Uniforms 1866?" Topic

I was looking at some of the images of Wurtemburg troops on one of the uniformology cds that covers the 1866-71 period, and I noticed that the Wurtemburg infantry from the 1866 war are shown wearing a uniform that looked quite different to the 1870 period one I was already familiar with.

The uniform looked somewhere between mid and light blue in colour, with similar blue trousers and a kepi with a much higher, broader crown than the 1870 version.

I am interested in knowing if the above uniform is the old fashioned one (the Knotel book I have that mentions this older uniform says it was royal blue, not light blue though) that was apparently still worn in 1866, and whether the smaller 1870 style kepi was worn in 1866, as well as the higher broader one shown in the illustration mentioned above. If so I can hopefully paint some 1870 era Wurtemburgers in blue trousers for 1866…

It would also be good to hear if anyone knows of a good reference book that has uniform information on all the 1866 armies (especially the smaller states) because the Uniformology cd is really good but there are no notes or other text with it to explain anything.

I think the Reference Book you want is "The Armies of 1866: A Guide to the Uniforms, Weapons and Organisation of the Armies of the Seven Weeks War, by N.J.Smith. MBN 6734. Available quite widely I would think, but it is certainly on the website of Helion and Company Ltd, who have a lot of specialist stuff on this period. I got my copy years ago, and although now it is very tattered it is still consulted regularly. A mass of Info for less than 10 pounds sterling, if I remember correctly!

Good Luck,

Mollinary

The Württemberg army was ordered to wear a completely new uniform in 1864. In 1866 some units had still not received the new uniforms and those that had were reserving them for full dress. So for the 1866 campaign they wore the old 1849 tunic and trousers which were of a Royal or mid blue color. For infantry the single breasted tunic had a red collar, pointed cuffs and shoulder straps, the latter with yellow company number. It was piped down the front and on the rear three pointed skirt in red. There were eight white metal buttons down the front, a button on each cuff point and two on each of the skirt flaps with two at the waist. The trousers were piped red on the outside seam. On campaign they appear to have been worn turned up at the bottoms. They did not wear the 1846 shako, but the fatigue cap which was royal blue with black leather peak. The crown was piped red as was the cap band above and below. A regimental number in red, from 1 to 8 was worn on the upper crown in front. The leather "gürtelrustung" equipment was black. During the campaign an armband was worn on the upper left which was, from top to bottom, yellow/red/black. The cavalry wore the same uniform but with yellow metal buttons and red collar patches with pointed ends with a button. They had yellow metal shoulder scales with a yellow crescent on the ends piped red. The trousers had black leather booting to above the knee and reinforcing on the insides. The peaked cap had a red band and piping. They carried lances with a blue over red pennant and the greatcoat was carried ‘en banderole' over the left shoulder. The blue saddlecloth had rounded front and pointed rear all edged in red. The King of Württemberg's crowned cipher in red decorated the corner. Artillery and engineers were dressed much as the infantry with black facings piped red, the former with yellow buttons and the latter white metal. The Jäger unit was apparently not created until after the campaign was over (If anyone thinks or knows otherwise, please let me know) and they wore green facings on their new uniforms.

To deal with the last point in the last contribution first: there were three rifle battalions, the first two formed in 1859 and the last in 1865. They wore the same uniform as the infantry with medium green facings.The infantry had the old single-breasted uniforms of royal/mid-blue as described above, but it seems at least a minority of the officers wore the 1864-pattern uniforms.

Thank you 1848 1871 .. That is very useful information

I have two questions concerning the Franco Prussian War.

1. I have Bavarian infantry figures form different manufacturers. Some figures have a plume on the left side of the helmet, some figures do not. My question is: Did only the Jager battalions wear a plume (green) on the helmet or did line infantry also wear a plume on the left side of the helmet. If line infantry did wear the plume, what color was it? Was it in the regimental piping color?

2. I am painting some Baden infantry for the Franco Prussian War. There is a vague reference in the Franco Prussian War German troops Osprey book on the Baden infantry equipment being the same as the Prussian equipment.
I am painting some Baden infantry for the Franco Prussian War. There is a vague reference in the Franco Prussian War German troops Osprey book on the Baden infantry equipment being the same as the Prussian equipment.

Much like in the Napoleonic Wars, during the Franco Prussian War, Prussian infantry regiments had three battalions: two of musketeers (with white belts and harness) and one of fusiliers (with black belts and harness).

As I mentioned earlier, there is a vague reference in the Osprey Book on Baden infantry equipment being the same as the Prussian equipment. However, all the pictures I have seen of Baden infantry in the Franco Prussian War shows them with black belts and harness.

My question is this: During the Franco Prussian War, were the belts and harness of Baden infantry black, or did Baden infantry regiments, like the Prussians, field two battalions with white belts and harness and one battalion with black belts and harness?

Thanks.

You can email me at stahmassebi@nrahq.org