Before the 1900s, soldiers of the various States and Countries of the world wore uniforms to identify them as belonging to a particular group or unit. The colours of the uniforms was important when it was necessary to visually identifying a particular unit, especially when the communication methods where in their infancy.

This tunic is from Germany, in fact the state of Prussia, it is an officer's tunic, and is well made. The ink stamp on the inside upper sleeve shows that this coat was made in 1889. The high collar with the silver wire badges, is held together with three metal hooks. The epaulettes are in the French style, and used by many different armies. They are made of silvered metal and red felt, with a unit identifying brass numeral in the centre. This epaulette could be removed for field use. In its place would be a simplified shoulder strap.

The tunic is made of a fine blue wool, with red collar and cuffs. The button on the front of the tunic are semi domes and are silver, at the waist that button is a flat plastic type button, either replaced or intended to prevent damage from the waist belt, which usually would carry a sword.

This style of coat was sometimes known as a sack coat, and was used in this basic form by most armies of the world.