Germans Gray or Green

[Red Sveta]

I have just received my  Battle Honours order for 1914 germans. My problem now is painting them, I carnt find out if the 1914 uniform was of a gray shade or more green field grey. There seems to be a different opinion where ever I look, what colour are people using out there? I plan to paint them as the 9th Regiment which seems to have fought on the western on in 1914 and then transfered to the east.

[Driscoles]

You`ll do nothing wrong when you paint them in Fieldgrey.
I use Valejo 830

Sometimes I paint the trousers in Blue Grey. Valejo Luftwaffe Uniform 70816 .

You can seach the web and find different uniforms most of them are fieldgrey !

[Plynkes]

My books have conflicting information on this point, unfortunately.

However, I have a book with some photos of actual uniforms. The summer 1914 uniform, consisting of the M1907/10 tunic and trousers is in what is called "field grey." The tunic has a slight bluey tint to its grey hue, while the field grey of the trousers is more like a plain grey.

Another photo shows the M1914 tunic, which came slightly later, and was a simplified version of the above. It is still described as "field grey" but by this time that colour has morphed into something that has a green shade to it. The trousers are "stone grey."

The former has fancy cuffs, the latter plain cuffs. So I guess it depends what your figures are wearing.

[Johnnytodd]

The M1907/10 uniform officially consisted of a field grey tunic with piped field grey trousers. Numerous variations exist for the M1910 tunic: state, branch and regimental details like cuffs, piping color etc.

To simplify uniform standards within the whole german army The M1915 feldbluse tunic was developed. The M1915 Bluse was also field grey (color differences between M1910 & M1915 are inconsequential on miniature scale).  It had simple turned-back cuffs, concealed button front & a bottle green collar (though not the Bavarians);  and was worn with stone grey trousers (no piping).  Unit designation was confined to the shoulder straps. 

There were some dramatic ersatz uniform exceptions (such as brown corduroy trousers worn mid-war) but despite uniform shortages, quality control remained remarkably consistent right til the end (unlike WW2 german uniform quality). 

Here's a swatch of original ww1 field grey wool cloth from the M1915 uniform that I use for painting reference:

[Red Sveta]

Thanks for the tips. I think I will go for a more grey shade of uniform more for a change than anything elce because I am painting some WW2 Germans too which are Valejo Field Grey.
I will post some pictures of my first attempt when I have some painted. It will be the start of a 28mm 1914-16 collection, I have some late war WW1 figures and have been using Mud and Blood but for the earlier period I want to multiple base the figures and have the company as the gaming unit rather than skirmish with squads.