IMO, you can't go back further than WW1.
That war was the first one that had proper usage of all branches of modern weapons: aircraft, tanks, submarines, machine guns
The only thing missing would be helicopters, but those weren't properly used as a weapons system for several more decades after WW1.
You could maybe go back to the American Civil War, as there were already (hand-cranked) Gatling guns and early submarines in use.
But everything else would be quite boring musket-volleying & bayonet-rushing.
And speaking about unlocks/accessories; DICE would surely find ways to stuff those in, no matter what setting used:
"Hey Gnork, look at my awesome new obsidian spike unlock for my club."
"Nice try, Fnork, my trained saber-tooth tiger will rip you to shreds in close combat."
"Ha! I laugh at both of you. With my spear-thrower unlock I'll pick you off from even further away, making everything else useless."
That war was the first one that had proper usage of all branches of modern weapons: aircraft, tanks, submarines, machine guns
The only thing missing would be helicopters, but those weren't properly used as a weapons system for several more decades after WW1.
You could maybe go back to the American Civil War, as there were already (hand-cranked) Gatling guns and early submarines in use.
But everything else would be quite boring musket-volleying & bayonet-rushing.
And speaking about unlocks/accessories; DICE would surely find ways to stuff those in, no matter what setting used:
"Hey Gnork, look at my awesome new obsidian spike unlock for my club."
"Nice try, Fnork, my trained saber-tooth tiger will rip you to shreds in close combat."
"Ha! I laugh at both of you. With my spear-thrower unlock I'll pick you off from even further away, making everything else useless."