The German Empire was actually a federal state consisting of various German kingdoms, duchies and principalities. Prussia was the leading kingdom in terms of physical size, resources, and political stature followed by Bavaria. As part of the uniform, two cockades were worn on various headgear: the national or Reichskokade and the one for the individual kingdom, duchy, or principality. You will typically find these on Picklehauben and Feldmützen. Below is a chart illustrating the various cockades:
Cockade Chart
Prussian Feldmütze
Bavarian Feldmütze
Reproduction Feldmütze for the 2 Chevauleger. This is what we wear. The piping and hat band are in carmine, the official facing color of the 2 Chevauleger. The Reichskokard is on top and the Bavarian one on the bottom.
2 Chevauleger Picklehaube. The cockades were mounted on the sides, you can make out the Bavarian cockade on the left side.
KB 2 Chevauleger Regiment 