Cockades and Flügeladjutants

[Glennj]

I came across this rather nice photograph at the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg website. It is interesting on a couple of levels. It was captioned "Der Kaiser auf der Wartburg in Eisenach". It appears to be around 1889. Note the two relatively youthful then Flügeladjutanten (later Generaladjutanten) to the Kaiser, both wearing for the occasion of this visit to Sachsen-Weimar-Eisenach, the commander's cross of the Order of the White Falcon - Major Friedrich v. Scholl and the whiskered Major Gustav v. Kessel.

It is well known that prior to 1897 and the introduction of the Reichs cockade that only the Prussian cockade was worn on the Prussian helmet and cap. However there were a couple of exceptions and they are nicely illustrated here. Infantry regiments 93 to 96 also wore a state cockade above the Prussian. The General to the Kaiser's right is Carl August Erbgroßherzog von Sachsen, wearing the uniform of 5. Thüringisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 94 (Großherzog von Sachsen) of which he was à la suite and hence the state cockade above the Prussian. Also note in rear the officer with two cockades on the cap band as worn by the Baden contingent at this time. His Majesty wears the uniform of the Regiment Garde du Corps and he and his two adjutants wear the single Prussian cockade.

Regards
Glenn

 

[aicusv]

Interesting, thanks for posting.

 

[SkipperJohn]

Looks like a cocky bunch!

Thanks for posting. It brings up another question for me concerning the approximate dates on a couple of my Schirmmutzen. I'll have to post a question on those later.

John :thumb up:

 

[Glennj]

The cockade situation of the smaller states incorporated into the Prussian army is quite convoluted prior to 1897. It might be useful to elaborate a little:

Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 91 (Oldenburg)

Officers: Prussian only
Feldwebel, Vizefeldwebel & Fähnrich: Prussian only
Sergeant, Unteroffizier, Gefreiter, Gemeiner: Prussian right, Oldenburg left. On the cap, Prussian, on the cap band, Oldenburg above cap band

Infanterie-Regiments 93-96 (Thüringian States)

Officers: Prussian right, State cockade left. On cap Prussian, on the cap band, State cockade above cap band.
NCOs and Soldiers: State cockade right. On cap band, State cockade.
NCOs and Soldiers from other states serving in IR 93-96 also the cockade of their own state.

Baden

Officers: Prussian right, Baden left. On the cap band, Prussian surmounted by the Baden.
NCOs and Soldiers: Baden right. On the cap band - Baden.

Regards
Glenn

 

[Glennj]

Managed to identify the laid-back officer with the Pickelhaube, one Oberstlieutenant a.D (1891 char. Oberst a.D.) Hermann v. Arnswald (1813-1894), the "Burgkommandant" of the Wartburg. He also wears the uniform of Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 94. The Sachsen-Weimar cockade is just visible on the left hand side of the helmet. Looks rather spritely for a man in his mid to late seventies!

Regards
Glenn

 

[b.loree]

Excellent photo essay Glenn. You never cease to amaze me as to how you are able to identify these individuals. Great work as always!