Uniform Colors and Details of Maj. General Nikolai S. Plaoutine

[BingandNelsonFan]

Hello! I have a 17" fashion doll that I would like to dress as Major General Nikolai Sergeyevitch Plaoutine (or "Plautin" or "de Plaoutine"). He was born on 02 Feb 1868 and killed on 31 Oct 1918.

I know that he served in the Hussars Life Guards, was appointed Chief of the Mounted Regiments from 1904-1907 and was Officer in Command of a Brigade of the Kuban Cossacks from November 1914. I also have a note that says he was, in 1910, in command of the Premersky Dragoons (on the staff of Grand Duke Nicholas) and received the St. George's Sword of Honour for Bravery.

I have a picture of him in his Cossack uniform, and another picture that is marked as his Cossack during the Russian-Japanese War (c. 1905). Here are the pictures posted here. The first photo (just Nicholas on his horse) is unmarked, so I have no idea when this was taken or what regiment he was with at the time. If anyone can help with any details on either photo, I'd appreciate it.

I am hoping that someone can help me with the colors of the whole uniform and any sort of insignia or medals (including where they would be on the uniform, as this photo is from the side). Thanks in advance for any help! I appreciate it!

For some reason, the forum won't let this photo show at full size, so to see it at full size, please click this link:
http://www.sarahbethonline.com/photos/plaoutine/Plaoutine, Nicholas Sergeevich large.jpg



To see this image at full size, please click this link:
http://www.sarahbethonline.com/photos/plaoutine/Plaoutine, Nicholas' Russian Cossaks about 1905 during Russian-Japanese War large.jpg

[Forum Admin]

http://www.xenophon-mil.org/rusarmy/nich2/rusarm17s.htm

[Mike]

While commanding a Cossack brigade in 1914, Major-General Plautin should have worn a uniform of either Terek or Kuban host - see the picture. "Blue" is Terek, "red" is Kuban.

As to the awards, only his St. Vladimir 4th class with swords and sash was worn on this type of uniform:

[BingandNelsonFan]

While commanding a Cossack brigade in 1914, Major-General Plautin should have worn a uniform of either Terek or Kuban host - see the picture. "Blue" is Terek, "red" is Kuban.

As to the awards, only his St. Vladimir 4th class with swords and sash was worn on this type of uniform:

Thank you SO much! This is a great help. I know that he was commanding Kuban Cossacks at some time, but I have never heard of "Terek". (I'm sorry, this isn't an area that I know much about!)
I notice that the Terek uniform has a matching blue collar on the shirt, but the red Kuban shirt has a white collar with red trim. Does that signify something? Also, can anyone tell me what the hat was actually made of? Is that wool or fur of some kind? My sister and I have made many miniature dolls, but a 17" doll is a large one, so the detail will be very visible.

In the picture that you attached, a medal is shown pinned over the bullets on the left side of the chest. Is that the standard place for wearing a medal on a uniform of this type?

Thanks very much for your help! This is great!
Sarah

[Mike]

The white (actually silver lace) collar signified an NCO. In your case the collar should be all red or blue with silver piping.
The hat was made of Astrakhan (karakul) fur, black or dark grey.
Medals and orders could be worn as shown on the picture, or above the cartridge pouches ("gazyri").
The officer on the picture wears epaulettes. In your case it should rather be shoulder boards ("pogony"), like these, but with red or blue piping:

[BingandNelsonFan]

The white (actually silver lace) collar signified an NCO. In your case the collar should be all red or blue with silver piping.
The hat was made of Astrakhan (karakul) fur, black or dark grey.
Medals and orders could be worn as shown on the picture, or above the cartridge pouches ("gazyri").
The officer on the picture wears epaulettes. In your case it should rather be shoulder boards ("pogony"), like these, but with red or blue piping:

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the help. This is great! At the moment, my sister and I are pretty settled on making the costume for the doll in the Kuban red. One more question on that! What color would the pants be that are hidden under the jacket?

I have found one other picture of Gen. Plautin online. This came from the collection of an older gentleman who has now passed away. The picture was put up on his friend's website some years ago, but there is no information about the photo --- other than that posted on the edge of the photo itself. It is marked "c. 1900". Would you think that correct?



Thanks again!
Sarah

[Mike]

In 1890 - 1906, Nikolai Plautin served in Life Guard Hussar regiment, in which uniform he appears on the photo.
The Cossack trousers were dark blue, with wide red stripes for generals like Plautin - see e.g. this portrait of Grand Duke Sergei:
 

[Kalafrana]

Just to add to what Mike says, the Life Guard Hussars uniform was red, with white pelisse and dark blue breeches,  with gold seam stripes for officers.

Sergei's photograph shows him in the style of uniform brought in by Alexander III, with baggy trousers.

Regards

Ann

[BingandNelsonFan]

Thanks! I really appreciate that info. My sister and I have got the doll now and are in the process of looking for the right type of fabric. Any tips like this are really appreciated, as we'd like to make the costume as realistic as possible!

Regards,
Sarah