Thursday, April 30, 2020

Kord Waffenrock Project update

Almost three years ago, I posted here about my intention to research, source materials for, and construct a "museum quality" Southwest Africa Schutztruppe model 1896 kord waffenrock.  I learned a great deal in this process and found a premier tailor and 1850s-1900s colonial-era uniform specialist with whom to collaborate.  He is almost finished with the waffenrock (front view shown here) for an unteroffizier ohne portapee (in this case, a Sergeant), with original Prussian Guard silver metallic tresse at the cuffs and collar and original imperial sergeantenknopf on the collar (and not visible in this shot). There are also kord trousers and I'll have more construction details and pictures of both to share shortly.

I am building the entire impression, minus the rifle, and will post documentation and sources of the uniform parts and accouterments in subsequent posts.  I am down to the final missing piece (properly constructed tall brown riding boots that will fit my wide calf) and may have found a workable solution.