Following the treaties of 1867 Saxony adopted a uniform
basically similar to that of Prussian but with a number of Saxon distinctions.
THE LINE INFANTRY
Headgear
The standard Pickelhaub helmet was worn by all ranks with
the Saxon coat of arms in brass in the centre of a pewter bursting star. A
peaked undress cap was also commonly worn.
Tunic
The tunic was similar to that of the Prussians but with
distinctive Saxon coat flaps. These flaps as well as the hem and front edge of
the tunic were piped in red. The collar and Brandenburg cuffs were red. The
shoulder straps ere blue, edged red, with yellow regimental numbers. The 100th
infantry Regiment, the Grenadiers, had a slightly different tunic in that the
collar and Swedish cuffs had white litzen (silver for officers).
All other items were the same as the Prussians.
Headgear
The Saxon Jager and Schutzen wore a small black shako made
of felt with a front peak. On the left side was a small horsehair plume. On
campaign both the shako and plume were covered by an black oilskin.
Tunic
The tunic was a very dark green, almost black, single-breasted
garment with black collar edged red and piping up the front and around the
black Brandenburg cuffs. Buttons were brass for the Schutzen and pewter for the
Jager. All other items were the same as the Prussians.
THE CAVALRY
The Reiter
Headgear
The helmet was an Austro-Hungarian dragoon helmet made of black
leather with a metal comb. The crest was of black wool and all fittings were
brass.1
Tunic
The tunic was of the same cut as the Prussian Cuirassier
koller but in sky blue. Facing colours were: Guard ‑ White; 1st ‑ Red; 2nd ‑
Purple; 3rd ‑ Black.
The front of the tunic together with the edges of the cuffs
were piped with a striped braid which was white and light blue for the Guard;
white and red for the 1st. white and purple for the 2nd and white and black for
the 3rd. The hem, sleeve seams and back flaps were piped with white. Brass epaulettes
were worn on the shoulders. Buttons were brass.
Trousers
The trousers were sky blue with a leather lining.
Belts
Both waist and pouch belts were white and the cartridge box
black.
Equipment
All ranks were armed with a sabre and carbine, although NCOs
carried a pistol in place of the carbine. Shabraques were a plain black
sheepskin cut in the same shape as the Prussian dragoons. Greatcoats were of
the same pattern as the Prussians but with sky blue straps edged white.
Officers
Officers uniforms were the same as the men but with gilt
buttons and epaulettes. Helmet details, including the comb, were also gilt.
They also had a silver pouch belt edged with the regimental facing colour and a
gold pouch embroidered heavily in silver. Shabraques were the same as the
men’s but with a gold Saxon star in the bottom rear corner and with sky blue
holster covers edged with gold.
Musicians
Trumpeters wore a similar uniform to the men but the helmet
had a red crest and the tunic had thirteen rows of Bandlitzen or braid down the
front.
The Uhlans
Headgear
The czapka was of the same pattern as that of Prussian Uhlans
but with the Saxon cockade in green and white and the Saxon star on the front.
Tunic
The tunic was of the same cut as the Prussian Ulanka and was
in a medium blue‑grey with deep purple‑red collar and cuffs edged in white. The
1st regiment had white and the 2nd yellow litzen on the collar. Buttons were
brass.
Trousers
Like the tunic these were blue‑grey with a purple‑red stripe
with a white sewn through the centre. Black riding boots were worn over top of
the trousers.
Belts
The waist belt and pouch belt were both white and a black
pouch hung from the latter.
Equipment
Weapons were the same as the Prussians although the lance
pennon was white over green. A white fatigue cap was issued with a sky blue
band and piping for the 1st regiment and purple‑red forthe2nd. Greatcoats were
the same as the Reiter.
Officers
The officers had gilt epaulettes, cap details and buttons
and green and silver cap band. Litzen was silver or gold.
ARTILLERY
Headgear
The helmet was of the same pattern as the Prussian one but
with the Saxon star instead of the eagle.
Tunic
While the cut was the same as that of the Prussians the
colour was a dark green and had German cuffs. The foot artillery had dark green
shoulder straps edges red while the horse artillery had Reiter style epaulettes
as well as red piping on the back of the tunic. Buttons for both horse and foot
troops were brass.
Trousers
Trousers and other equipment was the same as the Prussian
artillery.
Officers
Officers had gilt button and helmet details and had a gold
pouch belt with red edging and a gold pouch with silver detail.
Musicians
Trumpeters wore the same uniform as the men but with eight
yellow bandlitzen down the front. Shabraques for all artillery were dark green
with two red bands along the edge.
ENGINEERS
Pioneers wore the same uniform as the artillery but with
pewter buttons and helmet devices. Officers had Swedish cuffs and silver or
gold litzen.
GENERALS
Generals and staff officers wore the Prussian uniform but
with the national emblem and piping along the hem.
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