This is a posed studio photograph taken in Tsingtao, China sometime between 1898 and 1914. It shows an unknown Seesoldat of the III. Seebataillon.

He wears the Seebataillon Khaki Tropical Uniform. The tunic has a stand and fall collar and six plain brass domed buttons. The shoulder straps are white with yellow insignia in the form of an imperial crown above two crossed anchors above the battalion numeral III. The tunic also had plain cuffs and two buttoned hip pockets, and was usually worn with matching khaki trousers, none of which are visible in this photograph.

Notice the curious way in which old orthochromatic film shows yellow (on the shoulder strap insignia) as a very dark colour, much darker than natural. This was caused by the inferior photographic techniques of the time. See the Pickelhaubes Forum for more information on orthochromatic film.

He wears the Seebataillon khaki peaked cap with a brown leather peak and chinstrap and a small imperial cockade on the front of the hatband.

Please respect the generosity of the Doppler Collection in sharing this photograph with us by not reproducing it without prior permission.