Franco-Prussian War Cavalry, German

[rebelyell2006]

A two-parter:

(1).  I wandered around a small, rural history museum today, and I saw an exhibit label referring to a Potsdam Musketoon in the collection as being possibly from the Franco-Prussian War of the 1890s.  Obvious eye-twitching observation aside, what did the Prussian and North German Confederation cavalry carry into battle?

(2).  Is there any way to identify nationality of FPW-era Germanic Uhlans in a black-and-white photograph?  My limited understanding is that the various German states set themselves aside by piping color.  When were state uniforms officially standardized between Prussians and other Germans after the unification?

[Adam]

No idea about this stuff, but these cigarette cards might help you answer no. 2:

http://www.grosser-generalstab.de/sturm/sturm30.html

[robh]

To the first part, Cuirassier and Uhlan units carried sword and pistol (and lance as appropriate), the Dragoons/Reiters had sword and Carbine (although officers carried pistol instead of carbine).

To the second, The piping/facing colour is the only way to determine within the "Prussian" regiments but the Saxons had the Saxony arms in a bursting star on the Czapzka instead of the Prussian eagle.
The southern German forces (Baden, Bavaria & Wurtemburg) did not raise Uhlans.

[tom_aargau]

Actually, Bavaria did have two regiments of Uhlans in 1870. If you clcik at the link above you will find them. Würtemmberg had them as well.

The base color of the uniforms and pennants were different, how much of this is visible on a black and white picture is difficult to say.

The shape and material of saddle cloth is different - Saxon Uhlans have them round and made of lamb pelt. Bavarrian and Prussion have the pointy cornered one. The sign on the helmet should always allow to identify the country.