The German Army in the First World War by Jürgen Kraus (English Edition)

This is an English-language edition of Jürgen Kraus’s authoritative reference work, The German Army in the First World War: Uniforms and Equipment 1914–1918. Widely recognized as one of the most exhaustive photographic surveys of Imperial German field equipment ever published, this volume presents an unparalleled visual and academic record drawn almost entirely from the Bayerisches Armeemuseum’s collections. The hardbound book is large-format, heavily illustrated, and produced with the level of detail expected from one of Germany’s foremost military historians.

Physically, the book features a high-quality dust jacket with full-color images of pickelhauben, tunics, shako plates, and steel helmets. The boards and binding appear tight and well-kept based on the provided images. The interior pages are printed on heavy stock with crisp photographic reproduction. The table of contents spans uniforms, equipment, insignia, and branch-specific dress from infantry and Jäger through cavalry, artillery, aviation, machine-gun troops, medical staff, musicians, generals, and more. Major sections include the adoption and evolution of the field-grey uniform, helmet covers, Ersatz helmets, steel helmet development, cap styles, tunics, overcoats, footwear, camouflage wear, sword knots, rank insignia, specialist uniform distinctions, branch-specific headgear, and wartime equipment sets ranging from pouches to mess kits and gas masks.

Kraus, long associated with the Bayerisches Armeemuseum’s archival and documentary holdings, brings museum-grade scholarship to the subject. His work provides deep contextualization on uniform regulation changes, practical wartime improvisations, and regional distinctions across the contingents of the Kaiserheer. The book is especially valued for its photographic documentation of original pieces—an essential resource for advanced collectors, historians, reenactors, and authentication experts. This edition incorporates plates of helmet and shako wappen, field-grey development narratives, period photography, and museum-grade artifact studies that are rarely achievable outside institutional collections.

From a collector’s standpoint, this volume is a cornerstone reference for anyone engaged in Imperial German militaria. Its utility spans pickelhauben identification, cloth uniform evaluation, insignia comparison, and equipment authentication. It is also frequently cited by museum professionals, auction houses, and specialist dealers due to the precision of its visual documentation and structured presentation. The photographs of original museum artifacts provide a reliable benchmark for identifying period features, finishes, stitching, liner construction, and material variations.

Condition appears strong throughout: clean dust jacket, sharp corners, intact spine, and fully legible pages with no visible staining or damage. For a large-format scholarly reference printed nearly two decades ago, this example presents at a high level.

Recommended price: $95–$125 for this clean English-language edition, reflecting its continuing importance as a primary research tool and its ongoing demand among serious Imperial German collectors.