Garrison Ansbach. Dated 1899. The lot consisting of the czapka, the ulanka with parade plastron, the trousers with corresponding boots, and the extra saber with belt.
The black leather czapka, a privately-owned piece for enlisted men and non-commissioned officers, complete with all fittings in nickel-silver finish. Front features the Bavarian helmet emblem, curved nickel-silver scale chains on silver rosettes, cockade of the Reich on the right. Complete with parade plastron, sword knot (for non-commissioned officers with blue interweaving), the field insignia in the pattern for non-commissioned officers, and the parade plume of white horsehair. Interior with brown leather sweatband and light beige grosgrain lining. Size approximately 57.
The ulanka of dark green cloth with crimson standing collar, piping and “Polish” cuffs, the breast panels lined in crimson, nickel-silver buttons, on the collar and sleeve cuffs with silver non-commissioned officer's braid, on the shoulders the epaulettes for the regiment with the cord for one-year volunteers, buttons of the 3rd Squadron. Complete with crimson parade plastron. Interior with gray and green silk lining, in the breast pocket tailor's label “M. Zöltsch Königl. Bayer. Hoflieferant München Herr Meyer Einj. 2. Ul. No 7561 den 11. Dez. 1899”.
Also included the dark green trousers with wide crimson stripes, on the waistband marked by the maker “M. Zöltsch k. b. Hoflieferant München”.
Complete with boots, which have been re-soled at the heels. Length approximately 28.8 cm.
On the original white cavalry belt the cavalry extra saber KD 89. The saber with an approximately 2.4 cm wide and 81 cm long nickel-plated hollow-ground blade, etched on both sides with the loyalty motto “In Treue fest”, on the tierce side on the ricasso the maker's mark Weyersberg. Nickel-plated hilt with brown rubber grip and the Bavarian lion in the tierce-side folding guard. Nickel-plated steel scabbard with two ring bands and fixed suspension rings. The nickel plating of hilt and scabbard somewhat worn. Overall length 97 cm.
Light wear and age traces. The items come from a private estate (!). Condition 2.

524236

€ 6.500,00

Bavarian Parade Uniform for One-Year Volunteer and Non-Commissioned Officer “Meyer” of the Royal Bavarian 2nd Uhlan Regiment King

This complete parade uniform documents a remarkable aspect of Bavarian military life at the turn of the century: the system of One-Year Volunteers (Einjährig-Freiwillige), which the Bavarian Army had adopted following the Prussian model after its reform in 1868. The uniform was tailored on December 11, 1899, for Herr Meyer, who served as a One-Year Volunteer and Non-Commissioned Officer in the Royal Bavarian 2nd Uhlans Regiment “König” (King), which had its peacetime garrison in Ansbach.

The regiment itself already looked back on a significant history. It had been established on December 21, 1863, and bore the designation “König” from its inception. From July 6, 1864, King Ludwig II of Bavaria became the regiment's nominal commander, a position he held until his succession by King Otto of Bavaria on June 13, 1886. The regiment belonged to the 4th Cavalry Brigade of the II Royal Bavarian Army Corps (later III Corps) and had already distinguished itself in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 at Worth and Sedan.

The significance of One-Year Volunteers in Imperial Germany cannot be underestimated. Young men with their Abitur or Matura could qualify through this status for a shortened one-year service term instead of serving the regular two or three-year conscription period. The price for this privilege was high: they were obligated to equip and subsist themselves at their own expense. The special status of One-Year Volunteers was made visible through twisted wool cords on the shoulder epaulettes in national colors—blue and white for Bavaria.

The tailoring of this magnificent uniform was executed by M. Zöltsch, a Royal Bavarian Court Supplier (Königlich Bayerischer Hoflieferant) in Munich, as documented by the tailor's label in the breast pocket. The order number 7561 and the precise date document the professional manufacture of this individual piece. The dark green ulanka with crimson facings and the characteristic crimson standing collar as well as the “Polish” cuffs followed exactly the uniform regulations for Bavarian Uhlans in peacetime. Membership in the 3rd Squadron (Eskadron) is indicated by the corresponding buttons.

The black leather czapka with its nickel-silver fittings was a property item for enlisted men and non-commissioned officers. The Bavarian helmet emblem on the front, the Reich cockade on the right, and the field insignia in NCO execution clearly marked the military rank. For parades, the czapka was adorned with a crimson top and a white horsehair plume. The lanyard with blue threads was specifically designated for non-commissioned officers.

The Cavalry Extra-Sword Model 1889 (KD 89) belonging to the ensemble came from Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Co. of Solingen, one of the most important German military sword manufacturers, which had been formed in 1883 through the merger of two family firms. By 1900, the company already employed 630 workers and was among the largest edged weapon manufacturers in the German Empire. The Model 1889 sword had been introduced as standard issue for all cavalry troops in the German Empire armies, with each state displaying its own coat of arms in the basket hilt. The Bavarian lion in the folding basket guard clearly identified the Bavarian origin.

The inscription “In Treue fest” (Steadfast in Loyalty) etched on both sides of the blade was the official motto of the Kingdom of Bavaria and the House of Wittelsbach, which originated from the Order of Saint Hubert. This motto was meant to symbolize unshakeable loyalty to the crown.

The Royal Bavarian 2nd Uhlans Regiment bore the popular nickname “Bier-Ulanen” (Beer Uhlans), while the 1st Uhlans Regiment in Bamberg was known as the “Sekt-Ulanen” (Champagne Uhlans). After the end of World War I and the dissolution of the Kingdom of Bavaria, the regiment was disbanded in February 1919. During the interwar period, the 2nd Squadron of Reiter-Regiment Nr. 17, which formed part of the Ansbach garrison, preserved the regiment's traditions.

The company Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Co. continues to operate today as WKC Stahl- und Metallwarenfabrik, manufacturing ceremonial swords for military academies worldwide. The company's trademark, featuring a King's head and Knight's helmet, dates back to 1774 when the Weyersberg family first registered the King's head mark.