Here's our Uniform Guidelines
for Infanterieregiment Nr. 459

Bekleidung und Ausrüstung
(Clothing and Equipment)

6. GROOMING STANDARDS

I. HAIR

1. The hair will be cut so as not to touch the collar or tops of the ears.

2. The sides and back will be tapered.

3. Long top hair is not permitted, nor is the bunching of the hair to hide it beneath headgear.

II. BEARDS and MUSTACHES

1. Beards and/or mustaches are permitted in IR459. But,

  • Beards will not be longer than ½ inch long.
  • Mustaches will be kept short or groomed (waxed) into a "handlebar" shape;
  • "Toothbrush" mustaches are not permitted.
2. Those not wearing beards will display no more than one day's growth of beard.

III. SIDEBURNS

1. Sideburns, for those not wearing a beard, will not extend below the top of the tragus (the prominent, pointed bump in front of the external opening of the ear).

IV. PIERCINGS and TATTOOS

1. Pierced ears were not adopted by men, generally speaking, until the 1960s as the earliest, and did not gain widespread popularity until the 1980s.

  • Men have always been prohibited from wearing earrings when in military uniform.
  • Other piercings, whether male or female, are a very recent fashion trend and was unheard of in the 1940s or earlier.

2. Tattoos have gained popularity among soldiers throughout the century. By and large, however, tattoos in the Second World War remained modest in size and crude in design.

3. A wide variety of other designs, non-military in nature, could also be found.

** Note: Re-enactors should cover up non-period looking tattoos with the appropriate garments. Tattoos were usualy relegated to the arms, legs, or their back by soldiers in the first half of the 20th Century.

V. EYEGLASSES


Wire framed glasses.

1. Eyeglasses are not commonly seen in period photos, especially not in combat units.


A pair of "Maskenbrille" eyeglasses.

2. For those who must wear eyeglasses, acceptable styles are limited to round wire frames, or alternately, rimless glasses.


Gasmask eyeglass case


Detail of Gasmask eyeglass case and Gas Mask glasses.

3. WW2 Gasmask Glasses can be used. These are made with cloth loops that go around your ears so they can be worn underneath your gasmask.

VI. JEWELERY

1. Wedding bands may be worn on the right hand by married persons (this is the opposite of North American practice); otherwise it is best not to wear jewelery with your uniform.

VII. TIMEPIECES

1. Pocketwatches were the most common found in the trenches and are acceptable to use.

  • Try to use plain case.
  • Silver or gold cases.
  • The dial was a simple one with either Roman or Arabic numerals.

2. Wristwatches began to be common in the first years of the 20th Century; World War One soldiers were more likely to have a pocket watch, however if you want to use a wristwatch...

  • Bands were in leather (in either black or brown).
  • The dial was a simple one with either Roman or Arabic numerals.
  • Day/date features did not yet exist.
  • Trench covers can be used to protect your watch face.

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