Help!
58.R.14.70.
 


I'm seeking information on a 14th Company of the 58th Infantry Regiment (3. Ponsensches Infanterie-Regiment Nr.58.) that would have existed sometime between 1874 and 1918. I have a Prussian infantry Model SG 1871 that is marked as being the 70th weapon of the 14th company, Infantry Regiment No.58. It bears the cypher W/74 indicating its acceptance into the army in 1874, giving us a lower cut-off date for period of use.

Here's what I've managed to find out:
Although German infantry regiments usually had 13 companies, there was at least one period between 1887 and 1890 during the expansion of the Army that I've read about where a fourth battalion consisting of 4 companies was added to 13 infantry regiments. These 4th battalions were then detached in 1890 to provide the basis for five new regiments numbered 140 to 144.*  These were:

John Walter also states in "The German Bayonet, 1871-1945" that in the period 1893-97 all 'extant' infantry regiments received a fourth half-battalion containing only the 15th and 16th companies, which were later detached in '97 to make the regiments 145-180. Further, that no half or full 4th battalions were again formed during the period up to 1918. (Walter, John, The German Bayonet, Arms & Armour Press, London,1976, pp.97-98)

Were there earlier periods such as these that anyone knows about where a 14th company could have existed for the 58th? Or could it have been marked to the 14th company by mistake? Any help or comments would be greatly appreciated. Please send them to Mick O'Shea

Glenn Jewison has sent me this great response including his translations of the German sources he's used. I'm extremely grateful - read it & find out why.. it's the simplest & best explanation I've heard so far.  <Glenn.Jewison#ukgateway.net>  ...I guess you can figure out what to change to the 'at' symbol. It's just an anti-spam measure.
Thanks, Glenn!

Mick,

Further to our last conversation, I have come across the following information in my copy of "Deutschlands Schirm und Wehr im Alten und im
Neuen Heer" by Dr Martin Lezius and published in Berlin in 1929. This is an historical overview of the development of the Prussian and German Army until the creation of the Reichswehr.

The salient point is with regards to the formation of the half-battalions from 1893 onwards. Whereas you quote John Walter as stating that the 2 companies were numbered 15 and 16, Dr Lezius gives them as number 13 and 14.

The above point is also included on page 843 of the definitive work on the Bavarian Army - "Organisation, Bekleidung, Ausrüstung und Bewaffnung der Königlich Bayerischen Armee von 1808 bis 1906" by Karl Müller, originally published in Munich in 1906 but reproduced in facsimile form by LTR-Verlag, Buchholz-Sprötze in 1996:

This I think probably provides the definitive answer that you are seeking, bearing in mind the model of the bayonet (SG71)in your collection.

I have listed below my translations of the relevant passages and the German originals from both books:

LEZIUS:

But already in the next years arose the necessity to proceed for new increases; every regiment had a IV. half Battalion allotted, the 13th and 14th companies, however in 1897 new regiments were created from these, which temporarily were two battalions strong, but increased by a third battalion later.

"Aber schon die nächsten Jahre ergaben die Notwendigkeit, zu neuen Vermehrungen zu schreiten; es wurden jedem Regiment IV. halb Bataillone, die 13. und 14. Kompagnie, zugeteilt, aus diesen aber 1897 neue regimenter geschaffen, die vorläufig nur 2 Bataillone stark waren, später aber um ein drittes vermehrt wurden."

MÜLLER:

ordered by a decree of the 19th August (1893) the establishment of a IV. half- battalion for each of the 20 Infantry-regiments (including the Inf.-Leib-Rgt.) The two companies of the IV. Battalions received numbers 13 and 14 and as a garrison, that of the appropriate regimental staff.

"bestimmte ein E. v. 19. August (1893)die Errichtung eines Halb-(IV.) Bataillons bei jedem der (einschließlich des Inf.-Leib-Rgts.) 20 Inf.-Regimenter. Die beiden Kompanien der IV. Bataillone erhielten die Nummern 13 und 14 und als Standort den des betreffenden Regimentsstabes."

...Hope this might be of some help.

Best regards from England

Glenn

This sounds like the best & most plausible explanation I've heard so far. -mick

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