ww1 dismounted german dragoons

[Dave]

Did they carry the sword or were they like the brits kept the sword on the horse?

Dave

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

As far as I know, it was carried on the rear left saddle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:KavallerieDivision.jpg
http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.aspx?id=1024
http://www.allworldwars.com/German-World-War-I-Postcards-Part-I.html Three down
http://www.kaiserzeit.com/3-ref/cavalry.htm

[Hertsblue]

Depends what time you're depicting, Dave. According to German Army Handbook April 1918 swords were withdrawn from the German cavalry in July 1915.

[fsn]

That tells me that either a) the troops had ditched swords by 1914 or b) the troops kept their swords until 1916 or 17.

[Hertsblue]

Probably the former. One less hunk of heavy metal to lug around.

[Dave]

Depends what time you're depicting, Dave. According to German Army Handbook April 1918 swords were withdrawn from the German cavalry in July 1915.

I was looking at depicting the 14/early 15 period, the photo shows a dismounted german trooper with the sword on his left hand side, I pressume this is correct.

Dave

[Si Tyler]

The postcards http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,4727.0.html here indicate that the sword scabbard is part of the horse furniture. I would imagine pictures of them being worn on the belt was walking dress to impress the ladies.  FWIW if you are looking at dragoons when r we going to see the mounted ones

[Dave]

The postcards http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,4727.0.html here indicate that the sword scabbard is part of the horse furniture. I would imagine pictures of them being worn on the belt was walking dress to impress the ladies.  FWIW if you are looking at dragoons when r we going to see the mounted ones

Yes its been requested, regarding the dismounted this is the research situation from the designer

'I cannot find anything to indicate that they would look any different to
normal infantry: pickelhaube, braces & pouches, except they would lack entrenching tools & canteens probably.'

is this research correct?

Dave

[Hertsblue]

They would certainly not carry packs or entrenching tools. Cavalry on dismounted duty (as opposed to mounted cavalry dismounting in action) seem to have worn the standard webbing with the ammunition pouches on the front of the belt.

[Si Tyler]

Depends on what they are doing.  If you are looking for dismounts during Cavalry options then probably agree however

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_136-B0560,_Frankreich,_Kavalleristen_im_Sch%C3%BCtzengraben.jpg

This may be of use as well.....http://2chevauleger.org/Resources/Bavchevbook2013.pdf

[Dave]

Depends on what they are doing.  If you are looking for dismounts during Cavalry options then probably agree however

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_136-B0560,_Frankreich,_Kavalleristen_im_Sch%C3%BCtzengraben.jpg

This may be of use as well.....http://2chevauleger.org/Resources/Bavchevbook2013.pdf

I've asked the designer to do dismounted with the ammo pouches and Y belting no entrenching tools bayonets.  Thanks for the pictures I managed to find one dismounted cavalry manning a trench.

Dave

Dave

[J.S.]

German cavalry kept its swords on their horses. Carabine left side, sword right side.


Maybe not the brightest day for the German cavalry, but in this pic of the Battle of Haelen you can see horses from both sides

[Hertsblue]

Makes sense. You really wouldn't want to trail a sword around on foot.

[J.S.]

Got some more pics from a German book on WW1 uniforms





The new Kürassiere and Ulanen both lack the sword on their right side btw. Maybe it's not too late to change that.
In addition, I found pics were dismounted cavalry carries swords, but those were labelled as "Peacetime-Uniform".

[Hertsblue]

Yes, the pictures in my Almark books of troopers in peacetime dress show them wearing swords on a waist-belt. But I would speculate that that would only happen on ceremonial or rear echelon duties.