Russian Uniforms 1881-1914

I would like to give a little background information on the changes in army uniform during the reigns of Alexander Alexandrovich (Alexander III) and his son, Nicholas Alexandrovich (Nicholas II).  When Alexander III succeeded to the throne upon the murder of his father, Alexander Nicholaevich (Alexander II), he began to russify the army's uniforms.  Under Alexander II, the Army wore the French kepi (cap) and had a generally French appearance.

In 1882, all cavalry regiments were converted to dragoons (e.g., they lost their individual identity as hussars, uhlans (lancers), cuirassiers.  Those regiments which were already dragoons remained so) and given a new uniform based on the dress of the peasant.  It consisted of a black (the official regulations stated "dark green," but the enlisted ranks' uniform for all branches of the army was black with the exception of the Guard cavalry regiments which were unaffected) double-breasted tunic fastened by hooks and eyes (no buttons), a fur "shapka" (cap) with a "V" cut in front revealing the unit's facing color and the wings-up State Eagle.  The trousers were bluish grey.  The greatcoats or "shinel" were brown-grey and remained basically the same throughout the Imperial period on into the Soviet era.  The David Lean film "Doctor Zhivago" accurately depicted the dragoon uniform of 1881-1909 in the scene where a squadron charges the demonstrators.

As mentioned earlier, the cavalry regiments of the Imperial Guard retained their distinctive hussar, uhlan, and cuirassier uniforms except for the Life Guard Dragoon Regiment, which adopted the line pattern but kept the Guard's St. Andrew Star on their shapka rather than the line's eagle.

The infantry regiments of the line and the Guard also adopted the double-breasted tunic with black trousers.  The line infantry shapka bore the eagle and that of the Imperial Guard, the St. Andrew Star.  The Life Guard Pavlovsky Regiment was an exception.  They retained the 18th century brass-fronted grenadier mitre cap, which they wore at the Battle of Friedland (1807), as a distinction in honor of their conduct during that battle.  Many of the caps still bore the holes made by musket balls. These distinctive caps continued to be worn until August 1914 when the regiment, together with the rest of the army, marched off to war wearing khaki service dress.  The brimless forage cap (furashka) was worn by the Guard and line for all duties other than ceremonial.  Officers and senior NCO's had peaks to their forage caps.  It should be mentioned at this point that the officer's uniform was a bottle green shade rather than black.

In 1909, as a result of the demoralization of the army caused by their defeat by Japan in 1904-05, a new uniform was introduced in the Guard and line, and the cavalry had their old pre-1881 titles restored in an attempt to restore morale.  The Guard infantry regiments, together with line grenadier units, were given a shako (kiver) based on the 1812 model.  The  tunics remained double-breasted but with brass buttons.  The Guard regiments wore colored plastrons for parade.  The daily headgear remained the furashka, which became the universal headgear for the line regiments (for parade and undress).

The above is very general and there were exceptions to the rule, as was true with any army during the Victorian/Edwardian era.  Should anyone have specific questions concerning Russian uniforms, I will be more than happy to research the answers.  

W. McCaughey

Hi I was just curious, I'm doing research for something. I was wondering if there was a place I could go to find out the specific uniforms for certain regiments. Like, which regiment had a yellow uniform or a light green uniform etc. Would anyone know if these uniform colors existed and what regiments they were particular too at all?

Thanks!
Anastasia

Anastasia, You should try to obtain a copy of Shenk's 1911 book which , by means of schematics, illustrates the uniforms of all the regiments of the Imperial Russian Army according to the latest regulations.  It can be purchased from Gauntlet Publications (http://www.gauntletinternational.com/RuPubsR.htm).  They also carry some other interesting Russian books covering the uniforms of the old army which are well illustrated.  I have listed the titles of some of these books in the "Books on the Imperial Russian Army" section of this site.

When I was touring the Alexander Palace in Tsarskoe Selo shortly after it opened to the public, the uniforms worn by the Grand Duchess Olga and Tatiana as chefs of their respective regiments (The 3rd Elizavetgradski Hussars and the 8th Uhlans [Lancers]) were on display.  They were in magnificent condition.  I suspect that many of the old uniforms are still preserved in St. Petersburg and in Moscow, at the Russian Army museum.

Should you desire information on a specific regiment, I could obtain that for you.  However, I think that if you get a copy of Shenk's schematics, your questions will be answered.  The cavalry had the most colorful uniforms while the infantry and artillery enlisted personnel wore black uniforms.  The officer's uniform was a bottle green shade.

I hope the above is of some help.

William McCaughey

Anastasia, I just remembered that there is an internet site that carries the Shenk schemata thus saving you the expense of purchasing a copy.  The site can be located at: http://www.xenophongi.org/rusarmyshenk/shenklist.htm.  I erred in the date of the publication.  It was published in 1910 and not 1911.

W. McCaughey (Coldstream)

Hello William !

Are you aware that in December a Museum of the Russian Guards opened in the General Staff Building?

Many thanks for the Shenk link! Having seen the list of regiments guarding Nicholas from Ambassor Paleologue's diaries, I am interested in following up on them.

Joanna

Joanna, thanks for the info on the new Guards museum in the General Staff Building.  I will try to get some more information on it.  I do hope you were able to get to the Shenk site and find the information on the regiments mentioned in Paleologue's diary.  A recently published book in English/Russian containing photographs of all the Guards regiments might also interest you.  I believe that I mentioned it in my list of books elsewhere in the discussion forum.

Again, thanks for the tip on the new museum!

William McCaughey (AKA Coldstream)

Hi William !

I have been trying your link to the Shenk site and it was not working so tonight I tried through xenophongi.org and the Shenk url is:

http://www.xenophongi.org/rusarmy/shenk/shenklist.htm

I am in awe of it - absolutely fascinating !  I will look for the references that I am interested in.

Is the Artillery Museum in St. Petersburg the one that was established from the originals of Nicholas I in the Arsenal at Tsarskoye Selo? There is so much to see on Xenophon. What a fantastic group!

Many thanks for this fabulous link!
Joanna

Joanna, glad to hear that you found the link and that you like it.  As you saw, it has much more than just the Shenk schematics.  Incidentally, a  really great site for books on Imperial Russia (some will make your mouth water!) is Atlantic Crossroads (www.collectrussia.com).  You ought to visit it!  With regard to the arsenal at Tsarskoye Selo, I think it is separate from the Artillery Museum in St. Petersburg.  Atlantic Crossroads has a Russian/English book on the holdings of the Arsenal of Tsarskoye Selo.

Regards,

William McCaughey (AKA Coldstream)

Hi Coldstream (aka William),

I was wondering whether you had any information about the uniforms worn by the Officers belonging to the Corps de Gendarmes please. I am particularily interested in the General's presentation. Is there a photograph which you can direct me to please? The Shenk diagrams are too generalized.

I am also interested in learning about any books related to the Corps de Gendarmes. Language is not an issue.

Your information on this thread is fascinating.

Thanks in anticipation.

Dear Belochka,

The best reference source for any regiment of the Russian Imperial Guard is Gerard Gorokhoff's "Russian Imperial Guard."  This is a superb reference book full of photographs, which takes each regiment, including the Gendarmes, in turn and gives a synopsis of their regimental history, holiday, distinctions, and traditions.  It is in English and Russian and should be available from booksellers on the web.  Try Motor Books (www.motorbooks.com.uk) under Military-19th Century-Other.  You will find the book listed alphabetically).         Another good reference is Deryabin and Dzys "Russian Guard Cavalry 1914-1917" which is in Russian, but has good photographs and colour plates.  Gauntlet Publications carries this book and may even be able to supply a translation.  Another good source for Russian books and magazines on military subjects is www.Armybook.com.  I hope the above helps.

W. McCaughey (AKA Coldstream)

William, many thanks for the information, and the "uniform" link. Atlantic Crossroads has been a favorite of mine as well. A few years ago, I purchased a silver St George Cross, and Medal for Zeal from them.
They couldn't have been more helpful, and really knew their stuff :-)

Regards,

Sunny

Here is the link to the new Guards’ Museum at the Hermitage:

http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/03/hm3_11_3.html

Hopefully the Hermitage will publish a bilingual catalogue soon. I have seen photos from a limited Russian edition glossy catalogue of a prior exhibition held at the Hermitage on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the Guards : awesome photos of uniforms that belonged to the Imperial Family, regimental standards, portraits, etc. This book is very hard to find it seems…

Thanks very much William and Daniel for your rapid responses. I will pursue the references you have provided me as soon as I can.

I was aware that the General Staff Building was opened up recently as a new museum. I understand that the Imperial Governor of SPb had his office there as did the Chief of Corps de Gendarmes. However I stand to be corrected. Is this correct?

William I have another question please ...

Was the main Gendarme Headquarters located on Furshtatskaya Ulitsa (St)?

I appreciate any further information you can provide me with gratitude.

Belochka, the Guards Field-Gendarmerie Squadron was stationed in St. Petersburg, but I am not sure where their barracks or headquarters were located.  Their commanding officer was Major General Sergei Petrovich Sakhanski (he received his rank promotion in August 1913).  Their seniority dated from 27 December 1815 and their holiday was on the Day of St. Nicholas the Wonder Worker - 6 December).  The information just given and the following description of the officer's breast badge (jeton) of the squadron is taken from Gerard Gorokhoff's book on the Imperial Guard.

The squadron's jeton was a "circular round silver medallion rimmed with a dark blue enamel band with the jubilee dates "1815-1890".  Red plastron in center, topped by the unit silver helmet, above in the silver distinction plate: silver crossed sabre and shashka.  On the back was the helmet pattern of 1815 superimposed on a crossed carbine and broadsword.  On a dark blue enamel ribbon are the dates "1828-1829 - 1830 - 1831 - 1849 - 1853 - 1877-1878" and the name of the officer."  The dates indicated the various wars in which the unit participated: Russo-Turkish War of 1828-29, the Polish Campaign of 1831, the Hungarian Campaign of 1849, and the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78.

Hope the above is of some use.

Regards,

W. McCaughey  

Thank you William (Coldstream) for providing me with more new information.

Am I correct in believing that the Gendarmes were divided into a number of distinct branches, those involved with field duties such as protection of the railways and Government agencies and those associated with the Department of Police?

On this understanding, would the uniforms be different between the various branches? My prime interest is with the ones involved with the police.

Again thanks for your anticipated response.