Landsturm Shoulder Boards

[Grabenkater]

I have been trying to find a decent photo of Prussian Landsturm shoulder boards. Could someone please post a photo or at least a general discription? I have seen dark colored ones in period photos, but I have also seen light colored models. Did these change based upon locale or branch of service?

[Chip M]

Issue enlisted Landsturm shoulder straps were originally made from a woven cotton material (in German "Gurtbandstoff"). Late in the war, the material changed to paper cloth (Papiergarn). The straps came in various colors denoting the branch. Blue = Infantry, Red = Artillery, Black = Pioneer, Yellow = Foot Artillery. The straps were plain normally (with the occasional exception of the overcoat version), as the unit numbers were on the tunic collar.

Here is an "overcoat" example (picture from Ebay) with the unit numbers. A tunic strap would be just like this but blank.

Chip

[Grabenkater]

Thanks, Chip!

You always seem to have the obscure and esoteric knowledge of the Imperial German military.