The table below illustrates schematically the badges of rank of Imperial German Army NCOs and "Gefreiters" during the period 1910-1918. Shown next to the individual rank is the pattern of bayonet or sword knot worn by specific ranks. It should be noted that the Gefreiter was not an NCO in the accepted term in the German Army. He was in effect a senior Private soldier with some supervisory authority. He consequently only wore the bayonet knot of the Private soldier (illustrated in this case as a member of the 2nd Company). The rank of Obergefreiter has not been illustrated. This was a rank unique to the foot artillery. The Obergefreiter was a senior Gefreiter and wore the larger Sergeant size collar button and was entitled to wear the NCOs' bayonet knot.
NCOs proper were divided into two specific groups; NCOs with and without the Officers' sword knot. All NCOs were distinguished by lace tresse on the collar and cuffs in the regimental button colour:
NCOs without the Officers' sword knot (Junior NCOs) These
ranks wore a specific NCO pattern bayonet knot:
Unteroffizier
Sergeant
NCOs with the Officers' sword knot (Senior NCOs).
| Vize-Feldwebel/Wachtmeister | usually commanded a platoon. |
| Feldwebel/Wachtmeister | the Company or Battery Sergeant Major - "Der Spiess". |
| Offizierstellvertreter* | usually commanded a platoon. |
| Feldwebelleutnant** | usually commanded a platoon and even a company. |
Fähnrich.
The Fähnrich or Officer-Candidate wore the insignia of the Unteroffizier
but was permitted to wear the Officers' sword knot. They ranked senior
to the Sergeants. After passing the Officers' examination they were authorised
to wear the officers' side arms and then ranked senior to the Vize-Feldwebel.
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* Offizierstellvertreter: A SNCO in an Officers' appointment. They wore the uniform of the Vize-Feldwebel with officer pattern metal numbers and or regimental ciphers on a shoulder strap surrounded on three sides by lace tresse.
** Feldwebelleutnant: Again a SNCO in an officers appointment. This hybrid rank ranked junior to the Leutnant but senior to all NCOs. Initially conferred upon former long service active NCOs who had retired before the war and who were recalled to service upon mobilization. Later regular war time Senior NCOs were promoted to this rank. They wore the uniform of the Vize-Feldwebel with the shoulder boards of the Leutnant