It has always been amazing to me that these very early German sword types were in use so late and into WWI. It also seems that these stamped markings most often denote 'train battalion's'.
What exactly were 'train battalion's'?
Also, interestingly with the German units, especially cavalry and the use of obviously long outmoded lancers, it seems that in many cases, there was an almost anachronistic penchant for the pageantry of 19th century uniforms and weaponry.
The only other use of lances for example was perhaps some of the British Bengal Lancer and other units from other Indian states. Here of course, their own pageantry in uniform was evident.
Most overviews on WWI of course bring to mind khaki and drab utility uniforms and helmets slogging through muddy trenches in most of the armies involved, but the contrasts of these flamboyant units noted are colorfully fascinating.
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