German WW1 Uniform

[Eddy118]

Hi,
Can anyone identify the uniform in the attached picture? I believe the photo was taken around 1918 in Osnabruck, Lower Saxony, Germany, and is my wife's grandfather (Wilhelm Hoischen).
I would be extremely grateful if anyone could identify the military unit to which he belonged, plus any additional information which this photograph contains.
Regards,
Eddy118

[Skoosh]

http://www.warhats.com/ww1-german-soft-headwear.html



Skoosh.

[jim1]

Can't bring much to the party except to say the cap "buttons" called cockades are the Reich's Cockade issued to all Officers & men (this man being an Officer) above & the lower one is his Regiment. Unfortunately many look the same in B & W as many can only be distinguished by their colour. This could be Saxony or Prussian. Ideally we need to be able to id his shoulder title.

[Regorian]

It's Lower Saxony now but in in 1918/19 was Hanover. It was renamed Lower Saxony in 2005. The King Georges of GB/UK were electors, and kings from end of Napoleonic wars. Hanover operated the Salic Law, no women rulers, so another son of George III? became king, succeeding William IV after 1837. I think Hanover was included in the Prussian sphere of influence from the 1860's. I have a detailed history of the Prussian Army uniforms until 1914.

Perhaps this uniform is from 1919 or so. His collar decoration and shoulder straps are non standard for German officers in WWI or after. Perhaps Freikorps.     

[Eddy118]

Thanks Skoosh, Jim1 and Regorian for your input.
I can't tell the colours of the cap, never mind the cockades, so no progress there!
When I enlarge the photograph to the maximum, it looks like the lapel badges may be:
1 some kind of cross, 'X'
2 something that looks like an 'A', followed by an 'M'
3 then ? Z. or ?2.
Does any of the above mean anything to any of you guys?
If not, are there any archives I can check to find out his rank and unit?
I have his name, date of birth and address at the time of the photo (and during WW1 - Osnabruck).
I also have his parents' and wife's names.
Again, any advice would be appreciated.

[Skoosh]

Nein Eddy, ich kenne nicht mien freunde! 

Skoosh.