Imperial German Army Ranks 1871–1918 – Rank & Insignia Guide

The rank system of the Imperial German Army was expressed through a combination of uniform details rather than a single insignia. Depending on the rank and period, these could include collar and cuff lace (Tresse or Borte), buttons, shoulder boards, cockades and the Troddel or Portepee worn with the sidearm.

The chart below provides a visual guide to Imperial German Army ranks and rank insignia, based primarily on the system used in Prussian line infantry. It shows how ranks could be identified on pre-war uniforms, early field-grey uniforms and the simplified wartime uniforms introduced during the First World War.

The examples are based on Infanterie-Regiment „Graf Kirchbach“ (1. Niederschlesisches) Nr. 46. Other branches, German states and specialised formations could differ in terminology or details of insignia. More ranks (pre-feldgrau, Cavalry, Schutztruppe, etc.) will be added in the future.

NCOs

NCO rank was coded in 4 spots, as follow: collar, cuffs, shoulder boards, Troddel (bayonet tassel). Only having all of them visible you will be able to tell some of the ranks (note the difference between Sergeant and Vizefeldwebel in Troddel only). Senior NCOs (Unteroffiziere mit Portepee) used officers Portepee (sword tassel) and officers cap cockades.

Officers

Officer ranks are decoded using shoulder boards only. Here pre-war boards (with yellow Korps backing) and late-war boards (made of subdued soutache and on universal white backing for Infantry)

Imperial German Army ranks and rank insignia chart