Is he an Unteroffizier?

Roland

A Vizefeldwebel; note the officers' sword knot. The photograph predates 1897 (no Reichs Cockade). It is pretty difficult to ascertain his regiment from this photograph although he certainly looks like an infantry SNCO and IR 117 was stationed in Mainz from 1872 onwards.

Regards
Glenn
 
I believe this photo was taken no earlier than 1894. The Vizefeldwebel is wearing the braided marksmanship award, 2nd class, that was instituted by a decree dated 27 January 1894. Prior to that date marksmanship awards consisted of a stripe/stripes sewn to the uniform sleeve or cuff. See The German Infantry from 1871 to 1914 by Herr and Nguyen, pages 170 through 174 for illustrations and a discussion of both types of marksmanship award.

Reservist1
 
I believe this photo was taken no earlier than 1894. The Vizefeldwebel is wearing the braided marksmanship award, 2nd class, that was instituted by a decree dated 27 January 1894. Prior to that date marksmanship awards consisted of a stripe/stripes sewn to the uniform sleeve or cuff.
Click to expand...

Good point. The other infantry regiments in Mainz at this time were IR 87 and IR 88 with red cuff patches and yellow piping which probabably discounts them and IR 118 with yellow cuff patches and shoulder straps (not them either).

Regards
Glenn
 
It is fascinating to watch experts at work. Thank you all for looking at my photos with such attention to details. I felt that posting my photos on this forum was a good idea, but I had never hoped I would obtain such an accurate and wonderful result in the identification of old family pictures.
Kind regards
Roland
 
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