A collector’s guide to the artifacts of the Kaiserliche Marine, Imperial Germany’s powerful WWI navy. Learn about uniforms, swords, headgear, and more.
A Guide to the Navy of Imperial Germany
For collectors of militaria, the German Imperial Navy, or Kaiserliche Marine, represents a fascinating and historically rich field. Operating from the unification of Germany in 1871 until the end of World War I, this powerful navy left behind a legacy of unique uniforms, headgear, and equipment that are highly sought after today.
A Fleet Forged in Ambition
After the unification of Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm II and Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz transformed the navy into the second-largest in the world, behind only Britain’s Royal Navy. While its surface fleet saw limited action, its U-boats terrorized Allied shipping, sinking over 6,000 ships during WWI. The navy also had its own naval aviation department and naval infantry corps.
Enlisted Men’s Uniforms and Headgear
Enlisted sailors (Matrosen) wore dark blue or white jumpers with matching trousers and a neckerchief. Their specialty and rank were indicated by cloth patches sewn on the left sleeve. The iconic “Donald Duck” style sailor cap featured a cap band (Mützenband) with the name of their ship or base printed in block letters.
Officer’s Attire and Edged Weapons
Officers wore dark blue double-breasted coats with rank displayed by the number of gold bands on the sleeves. Peaked visor caps featured a bullion naval badge of a crown over an oakleaf wreath. For formal occasions, officers wore a beautiful lion’s head naval sword (schwert) as a sign of authority, while naval daggers with a crown pommel were also common. For sidearms, early Reich’s revolvers and later the naval P08 Luger pistol were issued.
Collecting the Kaiserliche Marine offers a window into a pivotal era of naval history. From the intricate details on an officer’s sword to the simple lettering on a sailor’s cap band, each artifact tells a story of a proud and powerful navy that once ruled the seas.
William, Chris. “‘Kaiserliche Marine’: Collecting the Navy of Imperial Germany.” Military Trader & Vehicles, August 2025, pp. 26-33.
