The early armies of the "estates" of the Holy Roman Empire are always a major problem if you search for information. There had been many reorganisations, mostly resulting in a change of coat colours, etc.
The most detailed books on these early armies had been written in the 19th and early 20th century (for example Staudinger on the Bavarian Army). For the Army of Württemberg there is a book written by “von Stadlinger”. Based on this uniform plates were made which can be seen
HERE and which contain ca. 4 soldiers from the late 17th century.
A look at the German wikipedia article reveals that there had been troops of the ducal household, troops raised by the estates of the Duchy of Württemberg (some kind of militia), troops recruited for the imperial circle of Swabia and subsidiary regiments for the circle of Swabia and Venice.
A short summary of the Germany Wikipedia entry:
1638:
- Life Guards on foot, became later part of the ducal foot regiment
1660:
- Life Guards on horse (became Garde du Corps in 1711)
1674:
- Ducal Horse Regiment (4 companies)
- Ducal Foot Regiment (1000 soldiers – 5 companies)
Both became part of the troops of the Swabian Imperial Circle for the Franco-Dutch War in 1677. When the war had ended the estates of the Duchy demanded the disbandment of these troops but the administrator of the duchy kept the guard troops, and one company of horse and four companies on foot. They were part of the imperial relief force in 1683 and later became part of the Württembergian contingent in the Swabian circle
1687: Subsidiary Regiments for Venice
- Infantry Regiment “Württemberg”, Infantry Regiment “Prince Carl Rudolph”, Infantry-Regiment “Von Pilssen” are raised due to a contract with Venice and put into the service of this Italian Republic. The latter two became disbanded when they return in 1689
1689:
- Regiment on Foot “Württemberg” returns from Venice and becomes the First (Yellow) Life Regiment on Foot. Starting 1689 it is the service of the Emperor until 1691 and then until 1698 subsidiary regiment of the Swabian Circle. Reduction in 1697. Then as Leib-Grenadier-Battaillon “von Horn” part of the household troops of Württemberg.
1691:
Regular regiments were raised from county militia:
- Horse Regiment von Freudenberg (8 Companies), in service of the Swabian circle until 1698, became Life Dragoons in 1701.
- Dragoon Regiment von Carlin/von Fugger (in service of the Swabian circle until 1698), disbanded in 1701. Some soldiers were taken over by the Life Dragoons. The best fitted formed a squadron/troop of Grenadiers.
- Second (Red) Regiment on Foot: became a subsidiary regiment for the Swabian Circle, disbanded in 1698
- Third (Green) Regiment on Foot: became a subsidiary regiment for the Swabian Circle, disbanded in 1698
I hope that this was helpful. I will have a look at the book by von Stadlinger and see if there is any information on uniforms available.
