Early German South West African Uniforms 1891-96 "Truppe des Reichs-Kommissars" and "Kaiserliche Schutztruppe"
Figure 1 Leutnant Eggers 1891 Corduroy Uniform	Figure 2 Reiter 1894 Corduroy Uniform	Figure 3 NCO and Farrier 1894 Corduroy Uniform	Figure 4 Reiter 1894 Corduroy Uniform	Figure 5 Reiter 1891 Tropical Uniform

Background of the Truppe des Reichs-Kommissars and Kaiserliche Schutztruppe
Reinforcements were sent to South West Africa in 1891 to expand the existing "Truppe des Reichs-Kommissars" otherwise known after their then commander as the Francois-Truppe. By 1893 they were at a strength of four officers, a doctor and 220 other ranks. The original thirty or so Francois-truppe soldiers had by then retired from active service and settled in the colony but could be called up as reservists. The Truppe des Reichs-Kommissars' name was officially changed to the "Kaiserliche Schutztruppe" by an imperial order of 3rd May 1894. The command of the colony and the Schutztruppe was also passed to Major Theodore Leutwein that year.

Uniforms of the Truppe des Reichs-Kommissars and Kaiserliche Schutztruppe 1891-96
New uniforms were authorised on 4th June 1891 to replace the Francois-truppe uniforms. The regulations were updated on 11th June 1894. In November 1896 these uniforms were replaced by uniforms authorised for the Schutztruppe of all colonies and the old uniforms were gradually replaced though period photographs show that the old uniforms were still in limited use as late as 1900 and even later than that with Reservists and African Auxiliaries. The 1896 uniforms for all colonies retained many aspects of the former Reichs-Kommissars Truppe uniforms including the blue piping on khaki uniforms, Litzen on the collar and cuffs of home uniforms and most famously the Südwester hat, all of which then became common to all colonies.

The study of the uniforms of the Truppe des Reichs-Kommissars is made difficult because no uniform regulations for them have survived. The only clues we have are provided by a few period photographs and illustrations (such as those by Moritz Ruhl, Richard Knötel and Eberhard Hettler). One series of interesting photographs were taken in July 1904 on a parade in Windhoek to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the official formation of the Schutztruppe. On this occasion  some of the men wore a selection of old Schutztruppe and Reichs-Kommissars Truppe uniforms showing their development in stages. Claus Stefanski made an excellent study of these uniforms (in "Zeitschrift für Heereskunde" No.429) and it is with this article and the other remaining clues in mind that this page has been written.

1891 Corduroy Uniform The corduroy uniform authorised on 4th June 1891 to replace the Francois-truppe uniforms now took on more of the appearance of the Prussian army Waffenrock with a standing collar and Polish style pointed cuffs in blue. Both collar and cuffs had white Litzen lace (metallic lace for officers). The tunic now had two breast pockets and plain white metal buttons replaced the horn ones on the older tunics. There were no hip pockets. Shoulder straps were in the style of Prussian hussars, twisted cords but in the Imperial colours. Stefanski describes the 1891 tunic being of grey corduroy and Ruhl illustrates it this way too but a surviving example in the Siebentritt collection was of a similar yellow brown to those described for the original Francois-Truppe and later worn in a slightly lighter shade of khaki by the Schutztruppe. 1894 Corduroy Uniform The new corduroy authorized on 11th June 1894 had the same cut as the 1891 uniform but had stand and fall collar. Insignia Rank insignia for NCOs was in the style of the Prussian army shown as lace on the collar and cuffs and button on the collar (see NCO Rank Insignia Page). Officers rank insignia was also shown in the style of the Prussian army on white metallic lace shoulder straps with flecks of black and red thread (see Officers Insignia Page). Specialist insignia for musicians, marksmen and farriers was also in the style of the Prussian army (see Specialist Insignia Page). Aiguillette cords in the Imperial colours (metallic lace for officers) were worn across the left chest on parade. Khaki Uniform A new khaki uniform was also introduced, based on that worn by the Schutztruppe of East Africa in its general cut with six white metal buttons down the front and four pleated patch pockets. It differed from the East African tunic in that it had a standing collar and a pointed Polish style cuff but without the button or Litzen seen on the corduroy tunic. It was piped down the front, along the upper edge of the standing collar and around the pointed cuff in blue. Shoulder straps were as on the corduroy uniform, twisted cords in the style of Prussian hussars in the Imperial colours. In 1894 the new uniform regulations gave the tunic a stand and fall collar. Insignia Rank Insignia for NCOs was worn in the form of chevrons with vertical ends in white metallic lace on a blue backing. There was one chevron for an Unteroffizier, two for a Sergeant, three for a Vizefeldwebel and four for a Feldwebel. A Gefreiter wore a small collar button as on the corduroy uniform. Officers wore the same army style shoulder straps as on the corduroy uniform. Illustrated plates by Ruhl and Hettler show officers wearing an elaborate blue lace pattern on the cuffs of the khaki uniform. I have yet to see period photographs showing this lace. Specialist insignia was the same as on the corduroy uniform. Aiguillette cords were also worn for parade across the left chest on parade. Greatcoat Plain grey single breasted greatcoats were issued with six white metal buttons down the front. They had no shoulder straps but had a blue collar patch without Litzen. NCOs wore a vertical stripe of lace in the Imperial colours towards the rear of the patch. The officers greatcoat was double breasted with two rows of six white metal buttons down the front. It was also grey and without shoulder straps. The collar was plain grey with no collar patches. Stefanski notes that the officers collar was changed to blue in 1894. Südwester In 1891 the Südwester was retained as before in grey felt with grey ribbon edging and hatband and a large Imperial cockade on the right side. In 1894 a blue edging and hatband were added to the Südwester. Tropical Helmet Tropical helmets were introduced for the South West African Schutztruppe in 1891. They were tall cork helmets covered in khaki cloth, with white metal imperial eagles (with spread wings for officers and folded for other ranks), small imperial cockades and a white metal spike with cruciform base. These helmets were found to be impractical and were soon discarded. The Schutztruppe of South West Africa did not wear sun helmets thereafter. Kepi A kepi style cap ("Käppi") was introduced in 1891 with a black leather peak and chinstrap. It was made of matching corduroy to the uniform with a hatband and piping in blue and a small Imperial cockade on the front. Officers wore a stripe of white metallic lace around the hatband. The kepi was retained for a while but was being replaced with a corduroy field cap from about 1895. Apparently the Kaiser felt that the kepi looked too similar to those of the French army. Nevertheless photographs from as late as 1897 show it still in use. Field Cap The kepi was gradually replaced with a corduroy field cap from 1894. The new field cap was modelled on those of the Prussian army but was peaked for all ranks and had a blue hatband and piping with a small Imperial cockade on the front. Footwear Brown leather riding boots and short ankle boots were issued. Canvas or leather gaiters laced up down the sides were issued for use with the ankle boots, as seen in period photographs below. Officers wore privately purchased riding boots. Equipment Initially other ranks retained the Prussian army equipment used by the Francois-truppe- a brown leather belt with a Marine Infantry belt buckle and 1871 ammunition pouches. Officers wore the same belt as the Marine Infantry-  white metallic silk lace with black and red stripes and a naval officers belt buckle. In action this was probably replaced with a more practical other ranks belt. Stefanski notes that the water bottle for other ranks was made of thick glass covered in brown leather with a canteen mug covering its lower half. Officers had an oxidised silver bottle covered in felt. Medical NCOs carried a larger glass water bottle. A bread bag was also carried. The bread bag and water bottle wear carried on straps over the shoulder. From at least 1894 a Prussian army backpack was issued to other ranks. The backpack and infantry ammunition pouches were not suitable for mounted troops. At first as system of 8 pouch bandoliers were issued to be worn across the shoulder. From 1894 a unique new style of equipment was issued. It was an all in ne harness incorporating belt and shoulder straps and had smaller ammunition pouches on the front of the belt and on the shoulder straps. It can clearly be seen in the photographs of the Kaiser inspecting the South West African troops in Berlin (see below). This unique equipment became the prototype for later styles of mounted equipment issued to the Schutztruppe. Weapons The Kar88 carbine and Gew88 rifle were standard issue for other ranks although older weapons may also have been in limited use. The standard bayonet issued in South West Africa with the Gew88 rifle was the S71/84. The Kar88 did not have a bayonet mounting. Stefanski notes that the Francois-truppe bowie knife was retained into the early 1890s but I have yet to see period photographs proving its use. Officers and senior NCOs carried the Reichsrevolver 83 pistol, although period photographs seem to show the use of privately purchased automatic pistols was common. Officers and senior NCOs also carried the Prussian 1889 infantry officers sword on parade. In Prussian cavalry lances were sent to South West Africa for use on a trial basis. The trial was not successful and the lances were soon withdrawn from service only seeing the light of day on special parades thereafter. The pennant for the lance was two pointed and divided onto three horizontal stripes of the imperial colours for other ranks. An illustration by Carl Henckel (in "Atlas des deutschen Reichsheeres") shows the NCOs pennant to be white with a black imperial eagle in the centre. I have yet to see a period photograph to prove the use of such pennants but it would seem reasonable to parallel the Prussian cavalry where the other ranks had a pennant in Prussian colours and the NCOs had a white pennant with the Prussian eagle.		1894 NCOs Corduroy Tunic Note the parade aiguillette cords in Imperial colours and the white Litzen with a red central line and the metallic rank lace of an Unteroffizier on the blue stand and fall collar and pointed Polish cuffs. Photo © Traditionsverband from the Siebentritt Collection Schutztruppe NCO Südwester This example has the NCOs cockade with white metal ring and the blue hatband and edging introduced in 1894. (See Südwester Details Page) Photo © Doppler Collection Schutztruppe Tropical Helmets On the left is an example of the short lived 1891 South West African Schutztruppe tropical helmet with a white metal spike and eagle (with spread wings for officers) and an imperial cockade. On the right is an 1891 East African tropical helmet. Photo © Traditionsverband from the Siebentritt Collection Other Ranks Naval Belt Buckle The same belt buckle was worn by other ranks the Schutztruppe of South West Africa. (See Belt Buckles) Photo © Doppler Collection 1883 Reichsrevolver As issued to the South West African Schutztruppe. This example was used by the East Asian Expeditionary Corps. (See East Asian Pistols) Photo © Dow Cross Schutztruppe Lance Pennant As issued to the South West African Schutztruppe. Again this example was used by the East Asian Expeditionary Corps. (See Mounted Equipment) Photo © Doppler Collection
Non-Combatant Officials As the Truppe des Reichs-Kommissars and later Schutztruppe grew in size so it needed supporting staff such as doctors, veterinarians and paymasters. By 1894 they had one doctor, one horse veterinarian and seven medical assistants. These officials wore the same corduroy and khaki uniforms as the officers and other ranks but with several slight differences the most easily noticeable of which were their straight Swedish rather than pointed Polish cuffs. Ruhl illustrates these official with their tunics having different coloured piping depending on their speciality but their Südwester hats and caps having the usual Schutztruppe blue hatbands and piping. At least on some occasions however (notably a photograph of a Junior Paymaster in 1894) the headdress of these officials matched their uniforms. Doctor The corduroy uniform of an "Arzt" was the same as that of an officer but with a blue collar and Swedish style cuffs, red piping and yellow metallic Litzen and buttons. The shoulder straps were those of a junior officer and bore a small yellow metal badge in the shape of an Aesculapian rod. The khaki uniform was also piped in red. Medical Assistant The corduroy uniform of a "Lazerett-gehilfer" was the same as that of an NCO but with a blue collar and Swedish style cuffs and red piping. Yellow metallic NCOs lace was worn on the collar and cuffs. The khaki uniform was piped in red with straight cuffs and had a single red chevron on the upper left arm. Junior Medical Assistant The corduroy and khaki uniforms of an "Unter-lazerettgehilfer" were the same as for a Lazerett-gehilfer but without the NCO lace and with a small Gefreiter's badge on their collar. Horse Veterinarian The corduroy uniform of a "Rossarzt" was the same as that of an officer but with a black collar and Swedish style cuffs, red piping and yellow metallic Litzen. The khaki uniform was also piped in red. Junior Paymaster The corduroy uniform of a "Zahlmeister-aspirant" was the same as that of an NCO but with a dark blue collar and Swedish style cuffs and white piping. The khaki uniform was also piped in white and had three dark blue chevrons on the upper left arm.

	The Illustrations Figure 1 is based on a photograph of Leutnant Eggers of the Truppe des Reichs-Kommissars taken in Germany in the early 1890s. He wears the 1891 Corduroy Uniform faced in blue with standing collar. Note the large officers white metallic Litzen, officers shoulder straps and parade aiguillette cords across his left breast. He wears the short lived kepi again with officers white metallic lace around the hatband. He has corduroy riding breeches and riding boots and is armed with an 1889 officers sword.. Figure 2 is based on a photograph of a Reiter of the South West African Schutztruppe taken in Germany c1894-96. He wears the 1894 Corduroy Uniform distinguished from the 1891 uniform by its stand and fall collar. It retained the breast pockets, blue collar and Polish cuffs with white Litzen and six white metal buttons. This man has a marksmanship lanyard across his right breast (see Specialist Insignia Page). He wears the Südwester hat with its large Imperial cockade holding up the right side. From 1894 the hatband and edging were in blue. He has an other ranks plain leather belt belt with a naval belt buckle. He wears matching corduroy trousers tucked into riding boots. Figure 3 is based on a photograph of an NCO and Farrier of the South West African Schutztruppe taken in Germany in 1894. He wears the 1894 Corduroy Uniform with the metallic collar and cuff lace of an Unteroffizier and the horseshoe insignia of a Farrier on the lower left sleeve (see Specialist Insignia Page). He wears the other ranks kepi with hatband and piping in blue and a small Imperial cockade at the front. He wears corduroy trousers loose over short marching boots. Figure 4 is based on a photograph of a Reiter of the South West African Schutztruppe taken in Africa in 1896. He wears the 1894 Corduroy Uniform with the trousers from his Khaki Tropical Uniform and short marching boots. He has the 1891 Tropical Helmet with white metal spike and Imperial eagle. It has a small Imperial cockade at the front. He carries the 8 pouch ammunition bandolier over his left shoulder as well as the brown leather belt and naval buckle. He has a rifle (either the Gew71/84 or the Gew88) just out of view. Figure 5 is based on a photograph of a Reiter of the Truppe des Reichs-Kommissars taken in Africa c1891-94. He wears the 1891 Khaki Tropical Uniform, notable by its standing collar and pointed Polish cuffs. It is piped in blue and has the same shoulder straps as the corduroy uniform. He has a watch chain or possibly a signalling whistle chain from is second button to his left breast pocket. He has matching khaki trousers and riding boots. His Südwester hat is unusually not pinned up on one side with an Imperial cockade. The Südwester with the 1891 uniform had a grey hatband and edging unlike the 1894 version which had blue. He is armed with a Reichsrevolver 1883 and has a bunch of small keys hanging from his belt, presumably for the chains worn by his prisoners in the original photograph.

Period Photographs   Unteroffizier Bohr Truppe des Reichs-Kommissars 1892 This photograph has clearly been put together from two photographs with the face stuck onto a different body. It is captioned as A Bohr but unclear if Bohr is the owner of the body as well as the head. The photograph is dated 1892 which fits in perfectly with the standing collar on the 1891 corduroy uniform. Note the NCO lace on the collar and Polish cuffs with a bayonet knot, denoting him as a junior NCO (Unteroffizier or Sergeant depending on if he has a collar button- see NCO Rank Insignia Page) and 1890s marksmanship award as a bar of lace above the collar. Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv    Reiter South West African Schutztruppe 1897 This photograph was taken at the German police station at Kerlbartsdrift in1897. This trooper wears the 1894 khaki uniform with stand and fall collar and piped polish cuffs. He also wears the corduroy kepi. Technically these uniform items had been replaced by this date although in practice photographs such as this show they were still in use sometime later. Photo by Th. Rehbock © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv  Major Curt von Francois South West Africa 1894 Curt von Francois had formed and commanded the Reichs-Kommissars Truppe from 1889 and from 1891 was also commissioner ("Landeshauptmann" or effectively the governor) of the colony. In this photograph he wears a privately purchased version of the 1894 corduroy uniform with its stand and fall collar. The stand and fall collar has thick officers white metallic Litzen while the cuffs are simply piped in the pointed Polish style like the tropical uniform. This may be a privately purchased variation or an authorised Interims-rock in the missing 1894 uniform regulations. The tunic has the braided shoulder boards of a Major. His cap is a corduroy field cap which replaced the kepi von Francois retired from the Schutztruppe in 1894 so this proves the field cap was authorised from at least that year. He carries an officers sword and sword knot. Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv    Officers of the South West African Schutztruppe, Potsdam 1894 On 15th June 1894 Kaiser Wilhelm II inspected the new recruits for the South West African Schutztruppe at the New Palace in Potsdam. A very interesting series of photographs was taken during the parade, they show the very first issue of the new 1894 Corduroy Uniform. This photograph shows officers on parade in front of the NCOs and other ranks. The officer on the left with a shako is from the Marine Infantry and wears their dark blue uniform piped in white. The officer next to him with the Pickelhaube is probably from the Schutztruppe command in the colonial office. He wears the 1891 blue home uniform of the East African Schutztruppe (note the crown badges on the collar just visible from this angle). In the centre and to the right of the photograph are the junior officers about to embark for South West Africa. They wear the 1894 South West African Corduroy Uniform. Notice their privately purchased Südwester hats are larger than those of the other ranks in the background. Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv Other Ranks and NCOs of the South West African Schutztruppe, Potsdam 1894 They all wear the 1894 Corduroy Uniform. To the left are the other ranks wearing small Südwester hats. In the centre are two musicians, wearing swallows nests on their shoulders. To the right are the NCOs wearing kepis. None of the group wear field caps and it appears that they were not authorised until after the parade and it may have been at this parade that the Kaiser noted that the kepis looked too French. Note that the NCOs have collar and cuff lace as well as one or two chevrons on their upper right arms in the style of the old Francois-truppe. Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv NCOs of the South West African Schutztruppe, Potsdam 1894 They wear the 1894 Corduroy Uniform with kepi caps or smaller rounded Südwester hats. The NCO facing front to the left, is a Feldwebel (note the two bands of lace around his Polish style cuffs), he is armed with a Reichsrevolver 1883 and a sword. He and the NCOs in the centre wear a trial pattern of equipment with ammunition pouches on the shoulder straps and other accoutrements on the waist. They also wear leather gaiters and are armed with the Kar88 carbine. The NCOs to the right wear the kepi and are not armed. Note the man to the second right has the Farriers horseshoe insignia on his cuff. Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv The Kaiser Inspects the South West African Schutztruppe, Potsdam 1894 The Rank and file wear the 1894 Corduroy Uniform with their smaller Südwester hats. On the right two officers with parade aiguillettes wear larger Südwester hats. The officer on the far right has darker Swedish style cuffs and is the unit's doctor. Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv Schutztruppe, South West Africa March 1896 This photograph shows men of the Schutztruppe with their commander, Major Leutwein (marked) and next to him in civilian clothing a Missionary named Viehe. The soldiers wear the 1894 Corduroy tunic with its Polish Cuffs and stand and fall collar. Some have NCO lace on the collar and at least one the men lying at the front has musicians swallows nests. They appear to wear paler trousers, probably those from their khaki uniform. Most of them wear the newly introduced peaked field cap. This would date the photograph probably to 1895-96. Two wear the kepi while the outer two wear the 1891 tropical helmet. Note also the lances on either side with Imperial coloured pennants. Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv Schutztruppe Soldiers on a Hunting Expedition This photograph was probably taken in the late 1890s somewhere South of Grootfontein. It shows Schutztruppe soldiers wearing a variety of uniforms during the transitional phase between the 1894 and 1896 uniforms. From left to right, the standing men wear 1896 Khaki Uniform, 1894 Corduroy Uniform, 1894 Corduroy Uniform, 1896 Corduroy Uniform, 1896 Khaki Uniform, 1896 Corduroy Uniform and the 1894 Corduroy Uniform. The African servants with hunting rifles kneeling in the foreground wear second hand Schutztruppe uniforms stripped of Litzen in the case of the man on the right. Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv Schutztruppe Parade in old Uniforms, Windhoek 1904 This photograph was taken in 1904 on a special parade of the Schutztruppe to mark their 10th Anniversary. On the parade some members of the Schutztruppe wore the old uniforms of their predecessors dating back to 1889. These were not replica uniforms but old stocks of original uniforms. The first row of riders wears the old Francois-truppe uniform without coloured collars and cuffs. The second row wear small caps and the 1891 uniform, an NCOs cuff lace can be seen on the trooper nearest us. Behind them are more troopers in the 1891 uniform but this time with tropical helmet and original lances brought out of storage for the event. The next row of riders wear the 1894 uniform with a kepi and also carry the lance. The final row, only just visible here wear the 1896 Corduroy Uniform and do not carry lances. See below for close up photos from the same parade. Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv  Reiter 1891 Uniform This photograph was taken in 1904 although this trooper wears the 1891 uniform with high standing collar and parade aiguillettes across his left breast. He wears the spiked tropical helmet with downswept eagle's wings for other ranks and an imperial cockade below it. He has a Gew88 rifle across his shoulder and a Reichsrevolver pistol and the Bowie knife from the earlier Francois-truppe on his belt with a naval buckle. Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv      NCO 1891 Uniform This photograph was taken in 1904 although this trooper wears the 1891 uniform with high standing collar and NCO rank lace on his collar and cuffs. He wears a very curious headdress. It appears to be a corduroy cap with the front peak upturned with an imperial cockade on the front of it. I have never seen this type of cap in other photographs or described anywhere else. Also note how the collar and cuffs appear to be a very much lighter shade than the previous figure, though this may be due to variations in manufacture or sun exposure. He has a Gew88 rifle across his shoulder and a Reichsrevolver pistol, 1871 ammunition pouch and the Bowie knife from the earlier Francois-truppe on his belt. Although it cannot be seen for certain, the buckle also looks like the plain brass buckle worn by the Francois-truppe. Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv  Reiter 1894 Uniform This photograph was taken in 1904 although this trooper wears the 1894 uniform with stand and fall collar and parade aiguillettes across his left breast. He wears the corduroy kepi with black leather peak and chinstrap. He carries the bandolier equipment along with a belt and naval buckle. He is armed with the lance and a Gew88 rifle across his shoulder. Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv          Main Sources- "Von der Francois-Truppe zur Schutztruppe der Landeshauptmannschaft von DSWA" by Claus P Stefanski (Zeitschrift für Heereskunde #429) "Die Deutsche Schutztruppe für Afrika" by Moritz Ruhl "Die Schutztruppe für Deutsche Südwestafrika 1889-1915" by Eberhard Hettler "Die Deutsche Schutztruppe 1889/1918" by Werner Haupt (Dörfler) "Tropenhelme der kaiserliche Marine, der Ostasiatischen Truppen und der Schutztruppen" by Ulrich Schiers (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Heereskunde) "Die Kaiserliche Schutz- und Polizeitruppe für Afrika" by Reinhard Schneider (Druffel & Vorwinkel-Verlag) "The German Colonial Troops 1889-1918" by Jürgen Kraus and Thomas Müller (Verlag) "Uniforms of the German Colonial Troops 1884-1918" by Charles Woolley (Schiffer) Photographs from the Frankfurt University Colonial Archives. Thanks to Arne Schöfert of Traditionsverband and Greg Gerardi for their generous help on this page.   Please email me here if you have more information or photos on this topic.  Back to Main Menu for German Colonial Uniforms