Building an authentic DSWA Schutztruppe NCO's M.1896 Kord Waffenrock

The uniform regulations of November 19, 1896 prescribed a new corduroy waffenrock for the enlisted men of the Southwest Africa Schutztruppe.  Like those of the officers, it was: 

“made of sand-colored corduroy fabric, in the same cut as the Prussian Waffenrock, but with an angular cut, turn down collar provided with a pair of hooks and eyes for closing, Swedish cuffs.  Collar, cuffs as well as piping from cornflower-colored cloth.”

The kord Waffenrock of the Southwest Africa Schutztruppe was based on the Model 1895 Prussian waffenrock, which by this time had undergone several design changes since its first introduction in 1842.  

These guidelines present the research and documentation that informed an authentic reconstruction of a Schutztruppe Sergeant’s kord waffenrock suitable for service in German Southwest Africa at the turn of the 20^th Century. This project was a partnership with Matthew Williamson, a skilled tailor and student of Victorian-era colonial uniforms who constructed the waffenrock and a documented pair of Schutztruppe corduroy trousers based on documentation and materials I provided.   For the benefit of others who may wish to acquire a Schutztruppe uniform of similar quality, it would be hard to imagine a better suited tailor than Matthew.  He lives in Delaware and likes a challenge.

This project took three years to research, source and finally complete last May, and I am extremely

pleased with the results. The resulting kord waffenrock  is a faithful reproduction of the corduroy uniform authorized in November 1896 for colonial service in Southwest Africa. It uses cloth, cord, lace and buttons that are as close as possible to those issued and available when the original tunics were constructed. 

Matthew had the opportunity to examine a surviving M.95 Prussian waffenrock firsthand, though we did not have access to an original Schutztruppe kord waffenrock. Our reconstruction therefore relies heavily on photographs of original uniform details and Matthew’s knowledge of period uniform tailoring techniques. Both Kraus and Müller’s (2009) The German Colonial Troops from 1889-1918 History - Uniforms - Equipment   and Chris Dale’s German Colonial Uniforms website were essential resources, as were many period photographs and images of surviving uniforms from museum and private collections.

Again, the link to our documentation and guidelines is here.