Authentic reproduction of the WWI Imperial German Zeltbahn (shelter quarter/poncho). Made from heavy-duty canvas with grommets, buttonholes, and toggle fastenings. Issued to every German soldier for use as rain protection, groundsheet, or combined into a tent with fellow soldiers’ sheets.
The Zeltbahn, or shelter quarter, was one of the most versatile pieces of field equipment issued to the Imperial German Army during the First World War. Each soldier carried one section, which could serve individually as a poncho or groundsheet, or be fastened together with others to form a larger tent. Lightweight, durable, and multi-functional, the Zeltbahn was an indispensable item for soldiers in the trenches and on campaign.
-
Historical Accuracy: Reproduced from original wartime patterns and surviving examples.
-
Material: Heavy-duty, water-resistant canvas in field-grey, suitable for authentic outdoor use.
-
Design Features:
-
Square or rectangular panel with reinforced edges
-
Metal grommets and stitched buttonholes for lacing together
-
Toggle and button fastenings for combining multiple sheets
-
Cut and size allow use as a personal poncho, blanket, or ground cover
-
-
Usage:
-
Single use: personal rain cape, sunshade, or groundsheet
-
Combined use: multiple Zeltbahnen buttoned together to form two- or four-man tents
-
Widely carried by German infantry on all fronts, from Flanders to the Eastern Front
-
-
Historical Context: The Zeltbahn predated the more complex triangular design introduced by the Wehrmacht in WWII. In WWI, it was plain field-grey and built for practicality rather than camouflage. Soldiers relied on it daily for shelter in the field, making it one of the most recognizable items of German field gear.
Ideal for reenactors, collectors, museums, or living history displays, this reproduction captures the look and utility of the German soldier’s essential field equipment.
