Navy picture?

[JensF.]

I've scanned this pic for a friend. It is one of his relatives. Looks like Navy Infantry ?!?

[Rick Research]

Yup, sure is. One of the three See-Bataiilonen. The strap will have the battalion number below the crossed anchors. I can't read it on the scan, but from Wilhelmshaven, I'd say he was in the II. See-Baon.

Because they were Reichs troops, they wore only the imperial tricolor cockade on the white cap band. There are a few WW1 Sea Battalion photos scattered about in the back pages here. Their white piping always shows up dramatically in black and white or sepia pictures.

[JensF.]

Thanks Rick! Any idea about the rank?

[Tony & Kaiser]

Your Marine is Seesoldat. Basically, a private. As Rick said, because they were Reichs troops, they wore only the imperial Reichs kokarde on the visor cap, but of greater interest, is that he has a chinstrap on the cap. The Marines were the only troops that I am aware of, that wore a leather chinstrap on their pre-Feldgrau visor caps. And yes, I would kill for that Waffenrock and visor cap. Tony

[JensF.]

Yep, in color this must be a very beautiful uniform!