1870 Prussian Landwehr Uniforms

[rally1now]

Hello:

What color are Prussian Landwehr waist belts and pack straps? In line regiments the first two battalions are white and the third battalion are black. But the Landwehr have only two battalions.

David

[rally1now]

I would like to delete this topic but I cannot find the delete button. I went into help and it says you can delete a message buy clicking the delete button, but it doesn't tell me where the delete button is. Very frustrating!

[Leman]

Why do you want to delete it? It seems like a perfectly valid question to me. When I paint mine I'll just use the white belts. Are you thinking of using them on the eastern front in 1914 as well?

[mollinary]

Agree, Leman, a very valid topic, and not as straightforward as it would seem.  The Landwehr regiments were of 2 battalions, but seem to have served as brigades containing two composite regiments each of three battalions, formed from three Landwehr regiments. Eg the first brigade of the first Landwehr division contains the 1st combined Pomeranian Landwehr regiment (from Nos 14 and 21), and the 2nd Combined Pomeranian Landwehr Regiment (from Nos 21 and 54).  Each of these has three battalions. So tactically they would act in the same manner as the regular brigades.  On uniforms, I have had look at BoB Marrion's "Uniforms of the Franco-Prussian War Vol 1: The Prussian Army" , Bruce Bassett-Powell's Armies of Bismarck's Wars: Prussia 1860-67, Nigel Smith's "The Franco-Prussian War Part Two, The German Armies, and the Osprey German Armies 1870-71 Prussia. This is all very confusing but, the following is what I "think" is the case!  The ordinary Landwehr regiments of 2 battalions, had white leather work. Each of the regular Fusilier Regts (for Prussia, Regts 33-40 inclusive) had a single Landwehr reserve Battalion. This would have black leather work.

Hope this helps 

Mollinary

[Techno]

Leon would know for certain, but......
I think you have a VERY limited time to use the delete button, once you've posted something....
If you want to modify a post.....You've got half an hour, or an hour. (?)

Global Moderators, or named Moderators for a 'section' can delete/modify/lock posts and threads.......I think.

Cheers - Phil

[holdfast]

This becomes even more important in 6mm.

[Westmarcher]

Not my period (yet?) but very fascinating information nevertheless Mollinary. 

This becomes even more important in 6mm.

Agree. If I was doing 6mm again, I think all of mine would be in 'black'(!). 

[Leman]

Not sure I understand why the Landwehr belting is more important in 6mm.

[Westmarcher]

Not 100% sure myself(!), Bob. 
But my take on it was that Holdfast's FPW collection is in 6mm(?) and guys like me don't want to paint belt straps in that scale (I have enough bother with 10mm)(?)...
.... so when I said 'black' - note the inverted commas - I'm really thinking, "Yeah, right, if the undercoat sticks out, fine; otherwise forget it."
But I could be completely wrong (maybe ... I think ... probably ..) .. Holdfast .... oh, Holdfast .... hellpp! 

Enjoy York! 

[holdfast]

I'm afraid I was attempting irony. Sorry if it all resulted in you having to be rubbed down with a damp copy of the pink'un.
My collection is really Mollinary's collection of APW and FPW, all 10mm, and every detail is, as you would expect from him, perfect.

[mollinary]

But, unfortunately, as of this moment, it contains not a single Landwehrmann (or a married one for that matter  )

Mollinary

[Leman]

Oh shame! And Pendraken have some lovely ones in greatcoats waiting for action on the Lisaine and elsewhere.

[Hertsblue]

Did the Landwehr wear the pickelhaube? I seem to recall seeing pictures of one wearing a jager-style shako. (Or was that WW1?) 

[Leman]

Shako similar to the jager but sporting the white Landwehr cross. PPW 14 is the greatcoated figure, but without greatcoat using the jager figure would work.

[mollinary]

Shako similar to the jager but sporting the white Landwehr cross. PPW 14 is the greatcoated figure, but without greatcoat using the jager figure would work.

Agree with all the above. Some of the sources refer to the COs of Landwehr Regiments wearing the pickelhaube.

Mollinary

[Hertsblue]

Agree with all the above. Some of the sources refer to the COs of Landwehr Regiments wearing the pickelhaube.

Mollinary

It would be plausible for the permanent cadres to wear line uniforms, I guess.

[mollinary]

A curious fact that some of the learned members of the forum may be able to cast light on.  A surprising number of the early pickelhauben that come up for sale (including Saxon ones) have the White metal Landwehr cross superimposed on the eagle's breast, or in the case of the Saxons, on top of the Saxon Royal Arms. Suggestions? 

Mollinary

[cameronian]

Recycled ex-regular headgear passed down to Landwehr to replace the soft cap?

[Leman]

It is interesting, although I think incorrect, that Irregular's 6mm Landwehr are modelled in greatcoat and pickelhaube. I use them just as winter line.

[mollinary]

I suppose it is possible that these crosses were added to the pickelhauben when the soldier passed into the reserve. It is sometimes referred to as the Reserve Cross as well as the Landwehr cross.  Still, I would welcome more views.

Mollinary