Welcome to the 1914 section of the site!
Here you will find info, images and references so you can start an accurate 1914 impression for airsoft or reenactment!
Tunic and trousers
The M1907/10 uniform was standard for German soldiers in WWI, featuring practical feldgrau for camouflage. Key details include:
Tunic: Wool material, scalloped pocket flaps, Swedish-style adjustable cuffs, high-standing collar, and regimental insignia on shoulder boards and collar tabs.
Trousers: High-waisted, slim-cut wool, designed for durability with reinforced seat and tucks for boots or puttees.
This uniform marks the shift to modern, functional military attire, essential for reenactors aiming for historical accuracy.
Helmet
A reenactor portraying a German soldier from the late 19th century to World War I needs a Pickelhaube (spiked helmet) because it was a defining piece of German military attire during that era. It represents historical accuracy and helps establish the soldier's identity, as the helmet was synonymous with Prussian and German troops.
However, the Pickelhaube wasn't the best helmet for practical use:
Limited Protection: Made from leather (and later steel), it offered poor protection against bullets and shrapnel.
Uncomfortable Design: The spike made it cumbersome in trenches and easy to spot by the enemy.
Expensive to Produce: Its ornate design and materials were costly, leading to simpler steel helmets (like the Stahlhelm) replacing it during WWI for better functionality and safety.
Equipment and weaponry
M1914 Leather Equipment Belt: The standard leather belt for carrying equipment, featuring a brass buckle and fittings for pouches.
Cartridge Pouches: Used to carry 7.92mm Mauser rifle ammunition. Two pouches are typically needed for an early-war impression. You can also add a breadbag strap to the hooks on the pouches
Breadbag (Brotbeutel): A canvas bag used for carrying food and personal items. It has a flap and strap design.
(Feldflasche): A round canteen, made of metal or aluminum, with a cup and leather strap for carrying.
Entrenching Tool (Grabenmesser or Schaufel): A spade carried in a leather case attached to the soldier's belt for trench work.
Bayonet and Scabbard: The M1898 bayonet (Seitengewehr) is attached to the rifle or carried in a scabbard on the belt.
Gewehr 98: the primary rifle of the german infantry at the start of the war