12 MWK Uniform

Uniform of the 12 M.W.K

Rather than demonstrate the common infantry uniform items, this page focuses on some of the specific items which were worn by both the Pioneer and Minenwerfer Kompagnies.

Original Uniform Front
The Model 1910 Pioneer tunic was only slightly different from the standard infantry uniform. Both the Swedish cuffs and the collar were piped in black rather than red. The buttons were either white metal or painted feld grau (field gray). Later in the war, Pioneers also wore the M15 Bluse, which was identical to the infantry model. This is an original example from the collection of one of our members.
Original Uniform Back
Work Tunic Front
The work tunic served two purposes. It was used as both a cover for the wool tunic to keep it clean while doing routine trench work as well as a providing a cooler alternative to the wool tunic while performing trench work in warm weather. These were frequently used by Artillery and Mortar crews while serving behind the front line. The example shown is a copy of an original from the collection at GWM.
Work Tunic Back
Mutz
The Feld Mutz (Field Cap) was worn at all times by soldiers when not in the front line. The Pioneer Feld Mutz is different from the standard Infantry by having a black band in lieu of the red. Soldats wore a standard mutz (left), while NCOs typically wore a visored mutz (right). The example on the right is a very accurate reproduction by Lou Brown of IR459.
Visored Mutz
Shoulder Board Front
Shoulder boards were used to identify the unit to which a soldier was attached. Like the Feld Mutz, the Pioneer Shoulder Boards differed from the standard infantry by having a black background. As seen in the picture, the reverse is still feldgrau in color. Minenwerfer Kompagnie boards included a "MW" along with the Kompagnie number. These reproductions were also created by Lou Brown.
Shoulder Board Back

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