Leather equipment darkening 1907-1913

[Freikorps1919]

I was curious if anyone would have any information or could recommend where to look reguarding the darkening of leather equipment for Prussian infantry regiments (non-Garde) from 1907-1913. If anyone would have any information on what the regulation was that would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[Lars13]

Hi,
The leather was generally worn black for all regiments with the blue uniform, except Garde & Grenadier, etc., that still had battalions with white leather equipment; the Bekleidungsordnung 1903, Beilage 1 has a good overview of which regiments / battalions wore which colour leather.
For the field grey uniform the leather should be left light-brown, i.e. the natural colour after tanning (lohgarem Leder), see Bekleidungsordnung 1910, page 2:



After the war started the leather became a somewhat darker brown (I have seen a distinct difference between 1914-dated belts and 1915-dated belts), and after 21.9.1915 the leather should be black, however I have several belts from 1916 / 1917 that are still a medium to a very dark brown, not black.
Regards,
Lars