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The GWA
"German Uniform Regs"

GWA Authenticity Standards for German Reenactors, 1917-18

Standards for Required Equipment Items:

E-1. Steel Helmet (Stahlhelm).

A. Must be an actual helmet constructed of steel (M-16, M-18, or modified M-18 - so called "cutout").

1. Both ventilation plugs present.
   
2. Liner pins present and visible from the helmet exterior.
   
3. Must have a functional chin strap. Straps constructed of leather or ersatz material
   
4. Chin strap hardware appropriate to the helmet type (i.e., M-16 type hardware on M-16 helmet). Brass or brass-colored M-16 hardware used on steel helmets shall be painted grey, field grey, brown, or olive.
   
5. Helmets will be painted grey, field grey, or olive, or camouflaged. This will be determined by individual units. The paint finish will be non-gloss or Satin..
   
6. Colors used in camouflage paint schemes will be in combinations of brown, tan, grey, white, green, black, and/or ocher applied in a pattern approximating documented techniques. [figure 2]

   E-2. Weapons.

A. Rifle (Gewehr 98 or Gewehr 88).

1. German pattern Gewehr 98 or Gewehr 88; the former must have the "lange" version rear sight.
   
2. Non-German production ’98 pattern weapons, in order to be acceptable for use, will be modified to exactly match the issue pattern (e.g., barrel bands, bayonet lug, and rear sight configurations must match the issue weapon).
   
3. Sling and cleaning rod are required. Slings may be of leather and/or cloth (ersatz) construction.

B. Carbine (Kar 98, Kar 71, or Kar 1891).

1. German issue pattern Kar 98a or Kar 98az, Kar 71, or Kar 1891 only
   
2. Non-German production weapons, in order to be acceptable for use, will be modified to exactly match the issue pattern (e.g., barrel bands, bayonet lug, stacking rod, and rear sight configurations must match the issue weapon)
   
3. Sling required; slings may be of leather and/or cloth construction

   E-3. Bayonet and Frog (Seitengewehr (or Bajonett) und Seitengewehrtasche (also called „Koppelschuhe").

A. Bayonet.

1. "Needle" or "feather" pattern bayonets may only be worn by artillery or Landwehr units. For other units, any other documented pattern used by German forces is acceptable; the bayonet must have a matching metal or leather & metal sheath.
   
2. Must be an actual bayonet (i.e., cast or molded replicas are not authorized).

B. Frog.

1. Constructed of natural, brown, or black leather, smooth or rough side out.
   
2. Frogs made of ersatz materials are optionally permitted.
   
3. Only those portraying the rank of Fähnrich are permitted to wear the officers’ Portepeé on the frog.

   E-4. Belt and Belt Plate (Leibbinde (or Koppel) und Koppelschloß).

A. Belt.

1. Constructed of natural, brown, or black leather, smooth or rough side out

B. Uhlan Belt.

1. Constructed of field grey material with regimental trim color center stripe
   
2. Concealed buckle/catch with belting material positioned vertically over the catch
   
3. May only be worn with the Uhlan’s tunic
   
4. Uhlan impressions may also wear the standard belt and buckle.

C. Belt Plate.

1. Constructed of Tombak with (if appropriate), a silvered central cartouche; or of steel or other non-ferrous metal.
   
2. Tombak plates may be worn in natural finish, or painted grey, field grey, or brown, or chemically darkened. Plates made of non-ferrous metals will be painted.
   
3. The Prussian pattern plate may be worn by any unit; other state-specific patterns may only be worn by units portraying contingents from that state.

D. Cavalry/Field Artillery Belt Buckle (Schnallöse).

1. Constructed of brass or non-ferrous metal.
   
2. The buckle will not have a tang (prong).
   
3. Non-ferrous versions will be painted grey, field grey, or brown; the brass buckle may be painted or chemically darkened.
   
4. The belt plate style described in c. above may also be worn.

E-5. Cartridge Pouches (Patronentaschen).

1. Constructed of brown or black leather; smooth or pebbled finish.
   
2. Three individual compartments per pouch construction.
   
3. Compartment dimensions for cavalry pouches ca. 3 in. (width), 1.5 in. (depth), 3.75 in. (height).
   
4. Compartment dimensions for all other pouches ca. 3 in. (width), 2.25 in. (depth), 3.75 in. (height).
   
5. Units using the Gew 88 pattern rifle may use either the pattern described above, or the older model black single pouch issued with the Gew 88.

E-6. Spade and Carrier (Schanzzeug und Futteral).

1. "Linneman" pattern spade with rectangular head and fixed wooden handle (the latter ending in a ball finial).
   
2. Carrier with either one central or two individual belt loops. Carrier will be of natural, brown, or black leather, smooth out.
   
3. Pionier and machine gun units may wear shovels and carriers appropriate to the unit being portrayed, i.e. short or long handled shovels.

E-12. Gas Mask and Can (Gasmaske und. Tragebüchse).

A. Gas Mask

1. Leather (Lederschutzmaske) or rubber (Gummimaske) pattern permitted.
   
2. Must have the appropriate filter canister matching the approximate dimensions of the German mask (ca. 2.4 in. tall [exclusive of threaded portion] and diameter of ca. 3.75 in.)
   
3. All straps, including the "alert" neck strap, will be present and serviceable.
   
4. Metal components painted field grey or olive.

B. Carrier

1. Should be appropriate to mask type, i.e. Gummimaske can for Gummimaske, etc.
   
2. Will be painted field grey or olive.
   
3. Will have both carrying (long) and retaining (short) straps of webbing, canvas, or linen. Straps will be colored grey, field grey, or olive.
   
4. Carrying (long) strap will have a buckle for adjusting length.

E-13. Bread Bag (Brotbeutel).

1. Constructed of ochre, tan, grey, field grey, or olive canvas.
   
2. Will consist of a two-compartment haversack covered by an outer flap. Approximate dimensions of outer flap are ca. 10.5 x 10.5 inches.
   
3. Will have a "D" ring and corresponding leather tab on the left side only for attaching the canteen
   
4. Will have a single center support strap and two buttoning straps on either edge.
   
5. Optional strap, constructed of materials listed in 1) above. The strap need not match the color of the bread bag, but will display metal spring hook at either end; two-piece construction joined by a metal loop; and an adjusting buckle.

E-14. Canteen (Feldflasche).

1. The canteen will have a round or oval style metal body, approximately 1 liter capacity.
   
2. Screw top or cork closure. Screw tops may be made of metal only (no plastic or bakelite).
   
3. The canteen will be without cup (except for medical canteens).
   Body will be covered with a cover of wool, canvas, corduroy, or ersatz material. Cover may be stitched closed, or may close with press snaps.
   
4. Carrying harness will be of natural, brown, or black leather, smooth out. It will be provided with a spring clip of brass or base metal for attaching the canteen to the bread bag. Carrying harnesses of ersatz materials are permitted.
   
5. Those portraying medics may carry the medical canteen. This canteen is significantly larger (ca. 2 liters), is carried suspended from a leather or ersatz harness only, and has a small round cup attached over the spout. Harness and cover details as with other canteens.