Description
Pre WW I tunic from 4. Feldartillerie-Regiment König. Regiment 4 was founded in 1859. It was garrisoned in Augsburg, where it was part of the Bavarian I. ArmeeKorps. [It is interesting to note that the Kingdom of Bavaria had a comparatively small complement of Artillerie Regiments. Their first two were not formed until 1824, whereas other German states had formed regiments back in the 17th and 18th centuries (e.g., Prussia – 1772, Württemberg – 1736, Saxony – 1620, and Hesse-Darmstadt – 1790)].
Our tunic is typical of most pre WW I Bavarian Artillerie tunics in that it is made of black wool. The collar is also black. Eight gilt-toned buttons run down the tunic’s center. The tunic sports red trim. An additional two gilt buttons adorn each sleeve. The shoulder straps are red, with a small gilt button attached to each one. The number of the Regiment is displayed in yellow thread. Unlike most other states, it is correct that these straps do NOT display the Artillerie’s traditional flaming bomb. Since the tunic is black, the man is clearly identified as a member of an Artillerie Regiment. This is a privately-purchased tunic. It was not obtained from the army depot. The tunic’s reverse also features red trim. Six gilt buttons (three to a side) decorate the area of the flap. The cotton liner inside the tunic is in fine condition.
It is a fine tunic, overall. We do not see its like as often as the Artillerie tunics that conform to the Prussian style.
