### Please describe the problem.

git-annex does not check for the minimum version of Git that it requires, and therefore it sometimes uses flags which my installed Git does not recognize.
This happens when converting some indirect repositories to direct ones on an older server.

### What steps will reproduce the problem?

git annex direct


### What version of git-annex are you using? On what operating system?

git-annex version: 5.20131130

### Please provide any additional information below.

[[!format sh """
# If you can, paste a complete transcript of the problem occurring here.
# If the problem is with the git-annex assistant, paste in .git/annex/daemon.log

direct iTunes/iTunes Media/iTunes U/Statistics 110_ Probability/Strategic Practice and Homework 9.pdf ok
direct iTunes/iTunes Media/iTunes U/Statistics 110_ Probability/Syllabus.pdf ok
direct  error: unknown switch `B'
usage: git checkout [options] <branch>
   or: git checkout [options] [<branch>] -- <file>...

# End of transcript or log.
"""]]