Shoulder straps of the 19th-20th centuries
(1854-1917)
Officers and generals

The appearance of galloon shoulder straps with rank insignia on the uniforms of officers and generals of the Russian Army is associated with the introduction of military-style military overcoats on April 29, 1854 (the only difference was that the new officer’s overcoat, unlike the soldiers’ overcoats, had side welt pockets with flaps).

In the picture on the left: an officer's traveling overcoat of the 1854 model.

This overcoat was introduced only for wartime and lasted a little over a year.

At the same time, by the same Order, braided shoulder straps were introduced for this overcoat (Order of the Military Department No. 53, 1854)

From the author. Until this time, apparently the only statutory model of outer clothing for officers and generals was the so-called “Nicholas Greatcoat,” which did not bear any insignia at all.
Studying numerous paintings and drawings of the 19th century, you come to the conclusion that the Nikolaev overcoat was not suitable for war and few people wore it in field conditions.

Apparently, officers more often used a frock coat with epaulettes as a traveling overcoat. In general, the frock coat was intended for everyday wear outside the formation, and not as outerwear for winter.
But in the books of that time there are often references to frock coats with warm lining, frock coats “lined with cotton wool” and even frock coats “lined with fur”. Such a warm frock coat was quite suitable as a replacement for the Nikolaev overcoat.
However, the same expensive cloth was used for frock coats as for uniforms. A to mid-19th century, the army is becoming more massive, which entails not just an increase in the number of officer corps, but also an increasing involvement in officers persons who had no income other than an officer's salary, which in those days was very meager. There is a need to reduce the cost military uniform. This was partially resolved through the introduction of officer's field overcoats made of rough, but durable and warm soldier's cloth, and the replacement of very expensive epaulettes with relatively cheap braided shoulder straps.

By the way, this "Nikolaevskaya" characteristic appearance an overcoat with a cape and often with a fastened fur collar is generally called erroneously. It appeared in the era of Alexander I.
In the picture on the right is Butyrsky's officer infantry regiment 1812.

Obviously, they began to call it Nikolaev after the appearance of the traveling overcoat with shoulder straps. It is likely that, wanting to emphasize the backwardness in military affairs of this or that general, they used to say in the last quarter of the 19th century: “Well, he still wears Nikolaev’s overcoat.” However, this is more of my speculation.
Actually, in 1910, this Nikolaev overcoat with a fur lining and a fur collar was preserved as outerwear out of service along with a coat (in fact, this is also an overcoat, but of a different cut than the marching one, model 1854). Although rarely did anyone wear the Nikolaev overcoat.

Initially, and I ask you to pay attention to this special attention, officers and generals had to wear soldier's shoulder straps (pentagonal), the color assigned to the regiment, but 1 1/2 inches wide (67mm). And braids are sewn onto this soldier’s shoulder strap.
Let me remind you that the soldier's shoulder straps in those days were soft, 1.25 inches wide (56mm). Shoulder length (from shoulder seam to collar).

Shoulder straps 1854

Generals 1854

A 2-inch (51 mm) wide braid was sewn onto a shoulder strap 1.5 inches (67 mm) wide to indicate general ranks. Thus, the field of 8 mm shoulder straps remained open. from the side and top edges. Type of braid - "...from the braid assigned to the collars of Hungarian hussar generals...".
Note that later the pattern of the general's braid on the shoulder straps will change noticeably, although general character the drawing will remain...
The color of the braid matches the color of the instrument metal of the shelf, i.e. gold or silver. The asterisks indicating rank are of the opposite color, i.e. on silver braid there is gold, on gold there is silver. Forged metal. The diameter of the circle into which the star fits is 1/4 inch (11 mm).
Number of stars:
*2 - major general.
*3 - Lieutenant General.
*without asterisks - general (infantry, cavalry, field general, general engineer).
*crossed wands - Field Marshal.

From the author. People often ask why the major general had not one, but two stars on his shoulder straps and epaulettes. I believe that the number of stars in Tsarist Russia was determined not by the name of the rank, but by its class according to the Table of Ranks. The general ranks included five classes (V to I). Hence - fifth class - 1 star, fourth class - 2 stars, third class - 3 stars, second class - no stars, first class - crossed wands. By 1827, class V existed in the civil service (state councilor), but this class did not exist in the army. Following the rank of colonel (VI class) was the rank of major general (IV class). Therefore, the major general has not one, but two stars.

By the way, when in 1943 new insignia (epaulets and stars) were introduced into the Red Army, the major general was given one star, thereby leaving no room for a possible return to the rank of brigade commander (brigadier general or something like that). Although even then there was a need for it. After all, in the tank corps of 1943 there were no tank divisions, A tank brigades. There were no tank divisions. There were also separate rifle brigades, brigades Marine Corps, airborne brigades.

True, after the war they completely switched to divisions. Brigades like military formations, in general, they disappeared from the nomenclature of the formations of our army, with very rare exceptions, and the need for an intermediate rank between colonel and major general seemed to have disappeared.
But now, when the army is moving to a brigade system altogether, the need for the rank between colonel (regiment commander) and major general (division commander) is greater than ever. For a brigade commander, the rank of colonel is not enough, and the rank of major general is too much. And if the rank of brigadier general is introduced, what insignia should he be given? General's shoulder straps without stars? But today it will look ridiculous.

Staff officers 1854

On the shoulder strap, to designate headquarters officer ranks, three stripes were sewn along the shoulder strap "from the braid assigned to cavalry sword belts, sewn (slightly retreating from the edges of the shoulder strap in three rows, with two gaps of 1/8 inch."
However, this braid was 1.025 inches (26 mm) wide. Clearance width 1/8 inch (5.6mm). Thus, if you follow " Historical description", the width of the headquarters officer's shoulder straps should have been 2 x 26 mm + 2 x 5.6 mm, and a total of 89 mm.
And at the same time, in the illustrations for the same publication we see a staff officer’s shoulder straps the same width as a general’s, i.e. 67mm. In the middle there is a belt braid with a width of 26 mm, and to the left and right of it, retreating by 5.5 - 5.6 mm. two narrow braids (11mm) of a special design, which later in the Description of Officers' Uniforms published in 1861 will be described as..."slanting stripes in the middle, and towns along the edges." Later, this type of braid will be called "staff officer braid".
The edges of the shoulder strap remain free at 3.9-4.1mm.

Here I specifically show enlarged types of galloons that were used on the shoulder straps of headquarters officers of the Russian Army.

From the author. Please note that, despite the external similarity of the braid pattern, the shoulder straps of the Russian Army before 1917. and the Red (Soviet) Army since 1943. still differ quite a bit. This is how individuals are caught embroidering the monograms of Nicholas II on Soviet officer shoulder straps and selling them under the guise of genuine royal shoulder straps, which are now in great fashion. If the seller honestly says that this is a remake, then he can only be blamed for his mistakes, but if he foams at the mouth and assures that this is his great-grandfather’s epaulette, which he personally accidentally found in the attic, it is better not to have business with such a person.

Number of stars:
*major - 2 stars,
*lieutenant colonel - 3 stars,
*Colonel - no stars.

From the author. And again, people often ask why the major has not one (as now), but two stars on his shoulder straps. In general, this is difficult to explain, especially since if you go from the very bottom, then everything goes logically up to the major. The most junior officer, warrant officer, has 1 star, then by rank there are 2, 3 and 4 stars. And the most senior chief officer rank - captain, has shoulder straps without stars.
It would be correct to give the youngest of the staff officers one star too. But they gave me two.
Personally, I find only one explanation for this (albeit not a particularly convincing one) - until 1798, there were two ranks in the army in the VIII class - second major and prime major.
But by the time stars were introduced on epaulettes (in 1827), there was only one major rank left. Obviously, in memory of the two major ranks of the past, the major was given not one, but two stars. It is possible that one star was, as it were, reserved. At that time, debate was still ongoing as to whether it was advisable to have only one major rank.

Chief officers 1854
On the shoulder strap, to designate chief officer ranks, two strips of the same braid were sewn along the shoulder strap as the middle braid (26mm) on the headquarters officer's shoulder strap. The gap between the braids is also 1.8 inches (5.6 mm).

The color of the braid matches the color of the instrument metal of the shelf, i.e. gold or silver. Asterisks indicating a rank of the opposite color, i.e. on silver braid there is gold, on gold there is silver. Forged metal. The diameter of the circle into which the star fits is 1/4 inch (11 mm).
Number of stars:
*ensign - 1 star,
*second lieutenant - 2 stars,
*lieutenant - 3 stars,
*staff captain - 4 stars,
*captain - no stars.

Shoulder straps 1855
The first experience of wearing shoulder straps was successful, and their practicality was undeniable. And already on March 12, 1855, Emperor Alexander II, who ascended the throne, ordered the replacement of epaulettes for everyday wear with shoulder straps on the newly introduced vice half-kaftans.

This is how epaulettes gradually begin to disappear from officer uniforms. By 1883 they would remain only on dress uniforms.

On May 20, 1855, the military-style military overcoat was replaced by a double-breasted cloth coat (cloak). True, in everyday life they also began to call it an overcoat. In all cases, only shoulder straps are worn on a new coat. The stars on the shoulder straps are ordered to be embroidered with silver thread on gold shoulder straps and with gold thread on silver shoulder straps.

From the author. From that time until the end of the existence of the Russian Army, the stars on the epaulettes had to be forged metal, and embroidered on the shoulder straps. In any case, in the 1910 edition of the Rules for Wearing Uniforms by Officers, this norm was preserved.
However, it is difficult to say how strictly the officers followed these rules. The discipline of military uniforms in those days was significantly lower than in Soviet times.

In November 1855, the type of shoulder straps changed. By order of the Minister of War of November 30, 1855. Liberties in the width of shoulder straps, so common previously, were now not allowed. Strictly 67 mm. (1 1/2 inches). The lower edge of the shoulder strap is sewn into the shoulder seam, and the upper edge is fastened with a button with a diameter of 19 mm. The color of the button is the same as the color of the braid. The upper edge of the shoulder strap is cut off like on epaulettes. Since that time, officer-style shoulder straps differ from soldiers' ones in that they are hexagonal rather than pentagonal.
At the same time, the shoulder straps themselves remain soft.

Generals 1855

The picture to the left shows the braid that generals wore on their shoulder straps from May 1854 to November 1855, to the right, which was introduced in 1855 and which has been preserved to this day.

From the author. Please pay attention to the width and frequency of large zigzags, as well as the pattern of small zigzags running between the large ones. At first glance this is not noticeable, but in fact it is very significant and can help fans of uniform art and reenactors military uniform avoid mistakes and distinguish low-quality remakes from genuine products of those times. And sometimes it can help to date a photograph or painting.

It should be noted that the places of stars on the shoulder straps of generals and officers were not strictly determined by location, as they are today. They were supposed to be located on the sides of the codes (regiment number or monogram of the highest chief), the third one is higher. So that the stars make up the ends equilateral triangle. If this was not possible due to the size of the encryption, then the asterisks were placed above the encryption.

Staff officers 1855

Like the generals, the braid on the headquarters officers' shoulder straps curved around the upper edge. The middle braid (belt) was not 1.025 inches (26 mm) wide, as on the shoulder straps of the 1854 model, but 1/2 inch (22 mm). The gaps between the middle and side braids were 1/8 inch (5.6 mm). The side braids are 1/4 inch wide (11 mm) as before.

Note. Since 1814, the colors of the shoulder straps of the lower ranks, and naturally since 1854, the colors of the officer's shoulder straps, were determined by the rank of the regiment in the division. So in the first regiment of the division the shoulder straps are red, in the second - white, in the third - light blue. For the fourth regiments, the shoulder straps are dark green with red piping. Grenadier regiments have yellow shoulder straps. All artillery and engineering troops shoulder straps are red. This is in the army.
In the Guard, the shoulder straps in all regiments are red.
Cavalry units had their own peculiarities in the colors of shoulder straps.
In addition, there were numerous deviations in the colors of shoulder straps from the general rules, which were dictated either by the historically accepted colors for a given regiment, or by the wishes of the emperor. And these rules themselves were not established once and for all. They changed periodically.
It should also be noted that all generals, as well as officers serving in non-regimental units, were assigned to specific regiments and accordingly wore shoulder straps of regimental color.

Chief officers 1855

On the chief officer's shoulder straps, two belt braids with a width of 1/2 inch (22 mm) were sewn on. They retreated from the edges of the shoulder strap, as on the previous ones, by 1/8 inch (5.6 mm), and had a gap of 1/4 between themselves top (11 mm).

Stars sewn in the opposite color to the color of the braid with a diameter of 11 mm. Those. stars are embroidered on gold braid with silver thread, and on silver braid with gold thread.

The shoulder straps shown above for clarity are shown only with insignia of ranks. However, it is worth remembering that in the times described, shoulder straps had a dual function - an external determinant of ranks and a determinant of a serviceman’s belonging to a particular regiment. The second function was fulfilled to some extent due to the colors of the shoulder straps, but fully due to the attachment of monograms, numbers and letters on the shoulder straps indicating the regiment number.

Monograms were also placed on the shoulder straps. The monogram system is so complex that a separate article is required. For now we will limit ourselves to brief information.
On the shoulder straps there are monograms and codes, the same as on the epaulettes. The stars were sewn onto shoulder straps in the shape of a triangle and were located as follows - the two lower stars on both sides of the encryption (or, if there is no space, above it), and on shoulder straps without encryption - at a distance of 7/8 inch (38.9 mm) from their lower edges. Height of letters and numbers of encryption in general case equaled 1 vershok (4.4 cm).

On shoulder straps with piping, the braid at the upper edge of the shoulder strap reached only to the piping.

However, by 1860, on shoulder straps that did not have piping, the braid also began to be cut, not reaching the upper edge of the shoulder strap by about 1/16 of an inch (2.8 mm).

The picture shows on the left the shoulder straps of the major of the fourth regiment in the division, on the right the shoulder straps of the captain of the third regiment in the division (on the shoulder strap is the monogram of the highest chief of the regiment, the Prince of Orange).

Since the shoulder strap was sewn into the shoulder seam, it was impossible to remove it from the uniform (caftan, vic-half-caftan). Therefore, in cases where they were to be worn, epaulettes were attached directly over the shoulder straps.

The peculiarity of attaching the epaulette was that it lay completely free on the shoulder. Only the top end was fastened with a button. He was kept from moving forward or backward by the so-called. counter-shoulder (also called counter-epaulette, shoulder strap), which was a loop of narrow braid sewn onto the shoulder. The epaulette was slipped under the counter shoulder strap.

When wearing shoulder straps, the counter shoulder strap lay under the shoulder strap. In order to put on the epaulette, the shoulder strap was unfastened, passed under the counter shoulder strap and fastened again. Then an epaulette was passed under the counter shoulder strap, which was also then fastened to a button.

However, such a “sandwich” looked very unfortunate, and on March 12, 1859, an order was issued that allowed the removal of shoulder straps when wearing epaulettes. This entailed a change in the design of the shoulder straps.
Basically, the method that took root was in which the shoulder strap was attached using a strap sewn to the lower edge of the shoulder strap from the inside out. This strap passed under the counter shoulder strap, and its upper end was fastened with the same button as the shoulder strap itself.
This fastening was in many ways similar to the fastening of an epaulette, with the only difference being that it was not the epaulette that passed under the shoulder strap, but its strap.

In the future, this method will remain almost the only one (except for completely sewing the shoulder strap onto the shoulder). Sewing the lower edge of the shoulder strap into the shoulder seam will remain only on coats (overcoats), since wearing epaulettes on them was not originally intended.

On uniforms that were used as ceremonial and ordinary ones, i.e. which were worn with both epaulettes and shoulder straps, this counter-epaulet was preserved at the beginning of the 20th century. On all other types of uniforms, instead of a counter shoulder strap, a belt loop, invisible under the shoulder strap, was used.

1861

This year a “Description of Officer Uniforms” is being published, which states:

1. The width of shoulder straps for all officers and generals is 1 1/2 inches (67mm).

2. The width of the gaps on headquarters and chief officer shoulder straps is 1/4 inch (5.6mm).

3. The distance between the edge of the braid and the edge of the shoulder strap is 1/4 inch (5.6mm).

However, using the standard belt braid of that time: (narrow 1/2 inch (22mm) or wide 5/8 inch (27.8mm)), it is impossible to achieve regulated clearances and edges with a regulated shoulder strap width. Therefore, manufacturers of shoulder straps either made some changes in the width of the braid, or changed the width of the shoulder straps..
This situation remained until the end of the existence of the Russian Army.

From the author. In the superbly executed drawing by Alexei Khudyakov (may he forgive me for such shameless borrowing) of the shoulder strap of an ensign of the 200th Kronshlot Infantry Regiment, the design of a wide sword belt braid is clearly visible. It is also clearly noticeable that the free side edges of the shoulder straps are narrower than the width of the clearance, although according to the rules they should be equal.
An asterisk (silver embroidered) is placed above the encryption. Accordingly, the stars of the second lieutenant, lieutenant and staff captain will be located above the encryption, and not on the sides of it, since there is no room for them there due to the three-digit regiment number.

Sergei Popov writes in an article in the magazine "Old Workshop" that in the sixties years XIX century, the private production of braid for headquarters and chief officer shoulder straps, which were a solid braid with one or two colored stripes of the prescribed width (5.6 m.) woven into it, spread. And the width of such a solid braid was equal to the width of a general’s galloon (1 1/4 inches (56 mm)). This is probably true (numerous photographs of surviving shoulder straps confirm this), although even during the period Great War there were shoulder straps made according to the rules (Rules for wearing uniforms by officers of all branches of arms. St. Petersburg. 1910).

Obviously, both types of shoulder straps were in use.

From the author. This is how the understanding of the term “clearances” gradually began to disappear. Initially, these were indeed gaps between the rows of braid. Well, when they became just colored stripes in galloon, their early understanding was lost, although the term itself was preserved even in Soviet times.

Circulars General Staff No. 23 of 1880 and No. 132 of 1881, it was allowed to wear metal plates on shoulder straps instead of galloon, on which a galloon pattern is stamped.

There were no significant changes in the sizes of shoulder straps and their elements in subsequent years. Except that in 1884 the rank of major was abolished and staff officers' shoulder straps with two stars went into . From that time on, on shoulder straps with two gaps there were either no stars at all (colonel), or there were three of them (lieutenant colonel). Note that the rank of lieutenant colonel did not exist in the Guard.

It should also be noted that from the very appearance of officer braided shoulder straps, in addition to encryption and asterisks in special branches (artillery, engineering troops), so-called shoulder straps were placed on the shoulder straps. special signs indicating that the officer belongs to a special type of weapon. For artillerymen, these were crossed barrels of ancient cannons, for sapper battalions, crossed axes and shovels. As special forces developed, the number of special forces (nowadays they are called emblems of military branches) increased, and by the middle of the Great War there were more than two dozen of them. Without being able to show them all, we will limit ourselves to those available to the author. With some exceptions, the color of the special signs coincided with the color of the braid. They were usually made of brass. For silver shoulder straps they were usually tinned or silver plated.

By the time the First World War began, officer shoulder straps looked like this:

From left to right top row:

*Staff Captain of the Training Automobile Company. A special sign for motorists is placed instead of encryption. This was how it was established when introducing insignia for this company.

*Captain of the Caucasian Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich Grenadier artillery brigade. The braid, like all artillery, is gold, the brigade chief’s monogram is gold, as is the special sign of the grenadier artillery. The special sign is placed above the monogram. General rule it was possible to place special signs above the codes or monograms. The third and fourth asterisks were placed above the encryption. And if the officer was also entitled to special badges, then the asterisks are higher than the special badge.

*Lieutenant Colonel of the 11th Izyum Hussar Regiment. Two stars, as expected, are on the sides of the encryption, and the third is above the encryption.

*Adjutant wing. Rank equal to colonel. Outwardly, he is distinguished from a colonel by the white piping around the field of his shoulder strap of regimental color (here red). The monogram of Emperor Nicholas II, as befits the aide-de-camp, is the color opposite to the color of the braid.

*Major General of the 50th Division. Most likely, this is the commander of one of the division's brigades, since the division commander wears on his shoulder straps the number of the corps (in Roman numerals) to which the division belongs.

*Field Marshal General. The last Russian field marshal general was D.A. Milyutin, who died back in 1912. However, during the First World War there was another person who had the rank of Field Marshal of the Russian Army - King of Montenegro Nicholas I Njegos. But it was what is called a “wedding general.” He had nothing to do with the Russian Army. The assignment of this title to him was purely political in nature.

*1 - special badge of an anti-aircraft artillery motor unit, 2 - special badge of an anti-aircraft machine gun motor unit, 3 - special badge of a motorized pontoon battalion, 4 - special badge of railway units, 5 - special badge of grenadier artillery.

Letter and digital encryption (Military Department Order No. 100 of 1909 and General Staff Circular No. 7-1909):
* Encoding in one row is located at a distance of 1/2 inch (22mm) from the bottom edge of the shoulder strap with a height of letters and numbers of 7/8 inch (39mm).
* The encryption is located in two rows - the bottom row is 1/2 an inch (22mm) from the bottom shoulder strap with the height of the letters and letters of the bottom row being 3/8 an inch (16.7mm). The top row is separated from the bottom row by a gap of 1/8 inch (5.6mm). The height of the top row of letters and numbers is 7/8 inches (39mm).

The question regarding the softness or hardness of shoulder straps remains open. IN regulatory requirements nothing is said about this. Obviously, everything depended on the officer’s opinion. In numerous photographs late XIX- at the beginning of the 20th century we see officers in both soft and hard uniforms.

It is worth noting that a soft shoulder strap very quickly begins to look rather sloppy. It lies along the contour of the shoulder, i.e. gets bends and kinks. And if you add to this the frequent putting on and taking off of an overcoat, then the wrinkling of the shoulder strap only intensifies. In addition, the fabric of the shoulder strap shrinks (reduces in size) due to getting wet and drying in rainy weather, while the braid does not change its size. The shoulder strap wrinkles. Wrinkling and bending of the shoulder strap can be largely avoided by placing a solid backing inside. But a hard shoulder strap, especially on a uniform under an overcoat, puts pressure on the shoulder.
It seems that the officers each time, depending on personal preferences and convenience, decided for themselves which shoulder strap suited them best.

Comment. On shoulder straps in alphabetic and number codes there was always a dot after the number and after each combination of letters. And at the same time, the point was not made with monograms.

From the author. From the author. The author was convinced of the advantages and disadvantages of hard and soft shoulder straps personal experience already upon entering college in 1966. Following cadet fashion, I inserted plastic plates into my new shoulder straps. The shoulder straps immediately acquired a certain elegance, which I really liked. They lay smoothly and beautifully on the shoulders. But the very first lesson in drill training with weapons made me bitterly regret what I had done. These hard shoulder straps caused such pain to my shoulders that that same evening I did the opposite procedure, and throughout all the years of my cadet life I never became fashionable.
Officer shoulder straps of the sixties and eighties of the 20th century were tough. But they were sewn onto the shoulders of uniforms and overcoats, which did not change shape due to the edging and wadding. And at the same time, they did not put pressure on the officer’s shoulders. In this way, it was possible to ensure that the shoulder straps did not wrinkle, but did not cause any inconvenience to the officer.

Shoulder straps for officers of hussar regiments

The shoulder straps in their historical development, starting in 1854. However, these shoulder straps were prescribed for all types of weapons, except for hussar regiments. It is worth recalling that hussar officers, in addition to the well-known dolmans and mentiks, had, as in other branches of the military, frock coats, vice uniforms, coats, etc., which differed only in some decorative elements.
The shoulder straps of hussar officers already on May 7, 1855 received a braid, which was called the “hussar zigzag”. The generals who were in the hussar regiments did not receive special galloon. They wore general general's braid on their shoulder straps.

To simplify the presentation of the material, we will show only samples of officer hussar shoulder straps late period(1913).

To the left are the shoulder straps of the lieutenant of the 14th Mitavsky Hussar Regiment, to the right are the shoulder straps of the lieutenant colonel of the 11th Izyum Hussar Regiment. The location of the stars is clear - the bottom two are on the sides of the encryption, the third is higher. The color of the shoulder strap field (gaps, edges) is the same color as the color of the shoulder straps of the lower ranks of these regiments.

However, not only officers of hussar regiments had the “hussar zigzag” braid on their shoulder straps.

Already in 1855, the same galloon was assigned to the officers of “His Imperial Majesty’s Own Convoy” (according to the magazine “Old Zeichgauz” in March 1856).

And on June 29, 1906, the officers of the Life Guards of the 4th Rifle received the gold braid “hussar zigzag” Imperial Family battalion The color of the shoulder straps in this battalion is crimson.

And finally, on July 14, 1916, the hussar zigzag was assigned to the officers of the St. George Security Battalion of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Headquarters.

Some clarification is required here. This battalion was formed from among soldiers awarded St. George's crosses. The officers are all with the Order of St. George 4th Art. Both of them, as a rule, were from among those who, due to wounds, illness, and age, could no longer fight in the ranks.
We can say that this battalion became a kind of repetition of the Company of Palace Grenadiers (created in 1827 from among veterans of past wars), only for the front.

The appearance of the shoulder straps of this battalion is also interesting. The lower ranks have an orange shoulder strap with black stripes in the center and along the edges.
The battalion's officer's shoulder strap was distinguished by the fact that it had a black piping, and a central thin black stripe was visible in the gap. The drawing of this shoulder strap, taken from the description approved by the Minister of War, Infantry General Shuvaev, shows an orange field and black piping.

Getting off topic. General of Infantry Shuvaev Dmitry Savelyevich. Minister of War from March 15, 1916 to January 3, 1917. By origin an honorary citizen. Those. not a nobleman, but the son of a man who received only personal nobility. According to some sources, Dmitry Savelyevich was the son of a soldier who rose to junior officer ranks.
Of course, having become a full general, Shuvaev received hereditary nobility.

What I mean is that many, even the highest military leaders of the Russian Army, were not necessarily counts, princes, landowners, the word “white bone”, like us for many years tried to assure Soviet propaganda. And become a general peasant son could just like a princely one. Of course, a commoner needed to put in more work and effort for this. This is how things have stood in all other times and are exactly the same today. The sons of big bosses even in Soviet times had much more chances become generals rather than the sons of combine operators or miners.

And during the Civil War, aristocrats Ignatiev, Brusilov, Potapov found themselves on the side of the Bolsheviks, but the soldiers’ children Denikin and Kornilov led the White Movement.

It can be concluded that Political Views a person is determined not by his class origin, but by something else.

End of retreat.

Shoulder straps for reserve and retired officers and generals

Everything described above applies only to officers on active duty. military service.
Officers and generals who were in the reserve or retired before 1883 (according to S. Popov) did not have the right to wear epaulettes or shoulder straps, although they usually had the right to wear military clothing as such.
According to V.M. Glinka, officers and generals dismissed from service “without uniform” did not have the right to wear epaulettes (and with the introduction of shoulder straps, even them) from 1815 to 1896.

Officers and generals in reserve.

In 1883 (according to S. Popov), generals and officers who were in the reserve and had the right to wear a military uniform were required to have on their shoulder straps a transverse stripe of reverse-colored braid 3/8 inch wide (17 mm).

In the picture to the left are the shoulder straps of a staff captain in reserve, to the right are the shoulder straps of a major general in reserve.

Please note that the design of the general's patch is slightly different from the officer's.

I dare to suggest that since reserve officers and generals were not listed in certain regiments, they did not wear codes and monograms. In any case, according to Schenk’s book, the adjutant generals, wing adjutants and major generals of His Majesty’s Retinue, who were transferred to the reserve, do not wear monograms on shoulder straps and epaulettes, as well as all others who left the Retinue for any reason.

Officers and generals who were dismissed “in uniform” wore shoulder straps with a special design.

So the general's zigzag in pursuit was covered with a 17-mm strip. braid of the opposite color, which in turn has a general's zigzag pattern.

Retired staff officers used hussar zigzag braid instead of the belt braid, but with the zigzag itself being the opposite color.

Comment. The 1916 edition of the "Private's Manual" indicates that the middle braid on the shoulder strap of a retired staff officer was completely the opposite color, and not just a zigzag.

Retired chief officers (according to the 1916 edition of the "Textbook for Private Soldiers") wore short rectangular shoulder straps located across the shoulder.

A very special galloon was worn by officers retired due to injury and retired officers of the St. George Knights. Their parts of the braid adjacent to the gaps had the opposite color.

The figure shows the shoulder straps of a retired major general, retired lieutenant colonel, retired lieutenant and staff captain, retired due to injury, or a retired cavalier of St. George.

The picture on the right shows shoulder straps on an officer's coat on the eve of the First World War. Here is the chief officer of the Grenadier Sapper Battalion.

In October 1914 (Order of V.V. No. 698 of October 31, 1914) in connection with the outbreak of war for the troops of the Active Army, i.e. marching shoulder straps were introduced for units located at the front and marching units (i.e. units moving to the front). I quote:

"1) Generals, Headquarters and chief officers, doctors and military officials of the active army, in accordance with the protective shoulder straps of the lower ranks, - install cloth shoulder straps, protective, without piping, with oxidized buttons for all parts, with embroidered dark orange (light brown) stripes (tracks) to indicate rank and with oxidized asterisks to indicate rank...

3) On overcoats, instead of protective shoulder straps, officers, military officials and ensigns are allowed to have shoulder straps made of overcoat cloth (where lower ranks have the same ones).

4) It is allowed to replace the embroidery of stripes with a patch of narrow ribbons of dark orange or light brown color.

5) The retinue monogram images on the indicated shoulder straps should be embroidered in light brown or dark orange silk, and other encryption and special signs(if any are needed) - have oxidized (burnt) overhead. ....

a) stripes to indicate rank should be: for general ranks - zigzag, for staff officer ranks - double, for chief officer ranks - single, all about 1/8 inch wide;
b) shoulder strap width: for officer ranks - 1 3/8 - 1 1/2 inches, for doctors and military officials - 1 - 1 1/16 inches...."

Thus, in 1914, galloon shoulder straps gave way to simple and cheap marching shoulder straps.

However, galloon shoulder straps were retained for troops in the rear districts and in both capitals. Although, it should be noted that in February 1916, the commander of the Moscow district, artillery general Mrozovsky I.I. issued an order (No. 160 of February 10, 1916), in which he demanded that gentlemen officers wear exclusively galloon shoulder straps in Moscow and throughout the entire territory of the district, and not marching ones, which are prescribed only for the Active Army. Obviously, wearing marching shoulder straps in the rear had by that time become widespread. Everyone apparently wanted to look like seasoned front-line soldiers.
At the same time, on the contrary, in front-line units in 1916, braided shoulder straps “came into fashion.” This was especially true for precocious officers graduating from wartime ensign schools, who did not have the opportunity to show off their beauty in the cities. dress uniform and gold shoulder straps.

With the Bolsheviks coming to power in Russia on December 16, 1917, a decree was issued by the All-Russian Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars, abolishing all ranks and ranks and "external distinctions and titles" in the army.

Galun shoulder straps disappeared from the shoulders of Russian officers for a long twenty-five years. In the Red Army, created in February 1918, there were no shoulder straps until January 1943.
During the Civil War in the armies White Movement There was a complete discrepancy - from wearing the shoulder straps of the destroyed Russian Army, to the complete denial of shoulder straps and any insignia in general. Here everything depended on the opinions of local military leaders, who were quite powerful within their borders. Some of them, like Ataman Annenkov, for example, even began to invent their own uniforms and insignia. But this is a topic for separate articles.

Sources and literature
1. Magazine "Old Workshop" No. 2-3 (40-41) - 2011.
2. Historical description of clothing and weapons of the Russian troops. Part nineteen. Publication of the Main Quartermaster Administration. St. Petersburg. 1902
3. V.K.Shenk. Rules for wearing uniforms by officers of all branches of arms. St. Petersburg. 1910
4. V.K.Shenk. Tables of uniforms of the Russian Army. St. Petersburg. 1910
5. V.K.Shenk. Tables of uniforms of the Russian Army. St. Petersburg. 1911
6. V.V.Zvegintsov. Forms of the Russian Army. Paris, 1959
7. Poster "External differences of ranks and ranks of the military and naval departments." 1914
8. M.M. Khrenov and others. Military clothing of the Russian Army. Military publishing house. Moscow. 1994
9. Website "Insignia of the Russian Imperial Army in 1913" (semiryak.my1.ru).
10.V.M. Glinka. Russian military costume of the 18th-early 20th centuries. Artist of the RSFSR. Leningrad. 1988
11.Military encyclopedia. Volume 7. T-vo I.D. Sytin. Petersburg, 1912
12.Phota. Textbook for privates in the first year of service. Edition XXVI. Jus.1916

During times Soviet Union many films were made in which the rank appeared Russian army- lieutenant. Today there is no such rank of military personnel, so many are interested in who in 2017 could be called a lieutenant, who is endowed with similar powers? To do this, it is worth looking into history.

Who is a lieutenant

The military rank of “lieutenant” is still used in some countries, but in Russia it is no longer used. This rank was first introduced in the 17th century, in the regiments of the “new order”. Lieutenant is a native Polish word; some people confuse its meaning, believing that military rank allowed entrusting private soldiers with important tasks. In fact, of course, the serviceman had the right to give instructions, which were agreed upon with the assistant commanders of the companies (the latter, by the way, were called squadrons). But his main professional activity consisted of accompanying marches when the privates were given to him “on bail.”

Later, the lieutenant could be found in the artillery and engineering troops, even in the guard. In 1798, the rank was abolished everywhere except among the guards. According to historical records, a similar rank was assigned to the Cossacks, but it was called “centurion”; the cavalry also did not lag behind - here the lieutenant was replaced by a staff captain. During the reign of the Tsar in Russia, a lieutenant in the navy was a midshipman; in civilian life, the rank was equivalent to collegiate secretary.

In 2017, the lieutenant still remains in the ranks of the Czech and Polish armies; he belongs to the junior officer corps, which means he can coordinate the actions of the rank and file and at the same time carry out the orders of senior officers.

Modern rank of lieutenant

Today, the lieutenant in the Russian army has been replaced by his equivalent - the lieutenant.

A lieutenant can be junior or senior, and he can also be retired or in reserve. IN the latter case The lieutenant is obliged to report for duty to defend the Motherland in the event of a confrontation between the Russian Federation and other states. If the service involves placement on a guards ship or a military unit of the guards type, the word “guards” is added to the rank.

Having received legal or medical education, lieutenant becomes lieutenant medical service or justice. You can determine that there is a senior lieutenant next to you by the shoulder straps:

• in the longitudinal direction of the shoulder straps, 2 stars are placed from the bottom edge;
• the third is fixed above the previous signs on the longitudinal axial strip;
• the diameter of the stars is small - 14 mm, the higher the rank of the serviceman, the larger value insignia;
• the stars are arranged to form a triangle;
• if you measure the distance from the center of one star to the center of the other, it should be 29 mm;
• A button is sewn along the upper edge of the shoulder strap.

Tables of ranks of the Russian Army

Russian army 1884-1917

The table shows the ranks of army ranks from 1884 to 1917. These are the years of reign Alexandra III(1881-1894), Nicholas II (1894-1917). During the period under review, the ranks in the guard were one class higher than in the army, i.e. The "old" and "young" guards are equal in rank. In 1891, Cossack ranks were established in the Cossack Life Guards and Ataman Life Guards Regiment (before that time, the ranks in these regiments were general cavalry). In 1884, the rank of “major” was finally abolished, and all officer ranks from second lieutenant to captain in the Table of Ranks were raised by one grade. The captain now has a staff officer grade of VIII, but is still listed in the chief officer ranks. Since 1884, the rank of warrant officer has been reserved only for wartime (assigned only during the war, and with its end, all warrant officers are subject to either retirement or the rank of second lieutenant). The rank of cornet in the cavalry is retained as the first officer rank. He is a grade lower than an infantry second lieutenant, but in the cavalry there is no rank of second lieutenant. This equalizes the ranks of infantry and cavalry. In Cossack units, officer classes are equal to cavalry classes, but have their own names. In this regard, the rank of military sergeant major, previously equal to a major, now becomes equal to a lieutenant colonel.

In 1912, the last Field Marshal General Milyutin dies Dmitry Alekseevich, who served as Minister of War from 1861 to 1881. This rank was not assigned to anyone else, but nominally this rank was retained ( in 1910, the rank of Russian field marshal was awarded to King Nicholas I of Montenegro, and in 1912 to King Carol I of Romania. Note by A Shisharin 10.10.2000).

After October Revolution 1917 By decree of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars (Bolshevik government) of December 16, 1917, all military ranks were abolished. At this time, the Russian army was disintegrating. From individual military personnel, from the remnants of units of the imperial army, the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army was created simultaneously (Decree of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars of January 15, 1918), the armed formations of the White Movement (they used the rank system presented here throughout the civil war), national armies Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Poland, Finland (created their own rank systems).

Army infantry

* Read more about rank encoding.

Army cavalry

Army Cossacks

Army Artillery / Corps of Engineers

In class II there were three ranks in the artillery and engineering troops: General of Artillery, General Engineer (General of Engineers) and General Feldzechmeister. Last rank wore main boss artillery and engineering troops.

The rank of lieutenant in the Russian army

Contrary to a common misconception, the name of the rank of lieutenant comes not from the word “assignment”, but from the word “bail”. Lieutenants were not “mission officers”, their main function was initially to accompany soldiers’ marching teams, while a junior officer was appointed who was officially (in writing) responsible for leading the soldiers to the specified point. This is where the name of the position came from, which later became a rank, and that is why there were no lieutenants in the Streltsy hundreds, orders and regiments - there were no soldiers there, and there was no need to vouch for the Streltsy, they had mutual responsibility.
At the same time, the word itself lieutenant in Russian for a long time it was used as a synonym for the word comrade (i.e., one who vouches for another) and deputy. During the ministerial reform of 1802, the position of lieutenant minister was initially even established, which in the same year was renamed the position of comrade minister, which fell out of use only after the Civil War.
In the Russian army, lieutenant is a rank in most cases of chief officers, entitled “your honor.” The title was first mentioned in mid-16th century century as an analogue of the rank of lieutenant in “foreign” companies. Since 1630, the rank has been used in the same capacity in the regiments of the “new order”, and, with the adoption of the Charter of 1647, it finally replaces the rank of lieutenant. By decree of 1680, Streltsy Pentecostals were renamed lieutenants. During this period, the lieutenant was considered to be higher in status than the ensign and lower than the captain (captain), this position was maintained according to the Charter of A. A. Weide of 1698. Initially, lieutenants were usually appointed as assistant commanders of companies (squadrons), and later as commanders of half-companies and plutongs.
The Naval Charter of 1720 introduced the rank of fleet lieutenant, equal to lieutenant; the status of a fleet lieutenant was higher than that of a second lieutenant of the fleet and lower than that of captain-lieutenant. In 1722, with the introduction of the Table of Ranks by Peter I, an attempt was made to remove the rank of lieutenant from use - in all branches of the army it was replaced by the rank of lieutenant and was retained only in the supply service (Furleit lieutenants, in status higher than the headquarters of the Fourier and lower than the Chief Wagenmeister). However, while in the navy the rank of lieutenant took root, in the army they soon returned to the rank of lieutenant. The army lieutenant initially belonged to the XII class of the Table and in status was higher than the second lieutenant and lower than the captain-lieutenant (since 1798 - staff captain). Artillery lieutenants belonged to class X, guards lieutenants to class IX. In the cavalry, lieutenants were considered lower in status than captains and higher than ensigns (since 1731, cornets, with the exception of the period 1765-1798, when cavalry ensigns were again introduced instead of cornets), since the ranks of captain-lieutenant and second lieutenant were not there, with the exception of some time dragoons (during the period when infantry ranks were used in dragoon regiments) and guards cavalry, where from 1731 (since its creation) the rank of second captain was established. In 1798, the rank of headquarters captain was introduced throughout the cavalry; from this year, cavalry lieutenants were considered to have a status higher than the cornet and lower than the headquarters captain.
In 1732, the rank of lieutenant of the fleet was restored, and until 1764 it belonged to VIII class Report cards, and then, until abolition in 1798 - to class IX. Thus, naval lieutenants were for some time two classes higher than even guards lieutenants. During the period of the existence of the life campaign (1741-1761), the lieutenants of the life campaign also belonged to the VIII class of the Table. In 1798, the lieutenants of the guard were transferred to class X of the Table and this state remained until the reform of 1826; in the “young guard” lieutenants until 1826 belonged to class IX of the Table, then to class X.
Until 1882, the rank of lieutenant was the primary chief officer rank in a separate corps of gendarmes.
In 1884, a reform was carried out, as a result of which the old and young guards, as well as officers, were equal in rights special troops(artillery, etc.) and the army, after which army lieutenants belong to the X class of the Table, guards - to the IX class. This position remained until 1917, with the exception of the company of palace grenadiers, in which, since its creation in 1826, the lieutenants were classified as VIII class of the Table.

Not only historical documents, but also works of art, taking us to the pre-revolutionary past, are filled with examples of relationships between military personnel of different ranks. The lack of understanding of a single gradation does not prevent the reader from identifying the main theme of the work, however, sooner or later, one has to think about the difference between the addresses “Your Honor” and “Your Excellency.”

Rarely does anyone notice that in the USSR army the address was not abolished, it was only replaced by a uniform form for all ranks. Even in the modern Russian army, “Comrade” is added to any rank, although in civil life this term has long lost its relevance; the address “Mr.” is heard more and more often.

Military ranks in tsarist army determined the hierarchy of relations, but the system of their distribution can only be compared with a slight stretch with the model that was adopted after the well-known events of 1917. Only the White Guards remained faithful to established traditions. Until the end of the Civil War, the White Guard used the Table of Ranks maintained by Peter the Great. The rank determined by the Table indicated the position not only army service, but also in civilian life. For your information, there were several Tables of Ranks, they were military, civil and court.

The history of military ranks

For some reasons, the most interesting question is the distribution of officer powers in Russia at the very turn turning point 1917. At this time, the ranks in the White Army were a complete analogue of the above-mentioned Table with the latest changes relevant to the end of the era of the Russian Empire. But we will have to go deeper to Peter’s times, since all the terminology originates there.

The Table of Ranks introduced by Emperor Peter I contained 262 positions, this is the total indicator for civil and military ranks. However, not all titles reached the beginning of the 20th century. Many of them were abolished in the 18th century. An example would be the titles of state councilor or collegiate assessor. The law putting the Table into force assigned it a stimulating function. So, in the opinion of the tsar himself, career advancement is possible only for people who are worthwhile, and parasites and impudent people have a way to high ranks was closed.

The division of ranks involved the assignment of chief officer, staff officer or general ranks. Treatment was also determined according to class. It was necessary to address the chief officers: “Your Honor.” To staff officers - “Your Honor”, ​​and to generals - “Your Excellency”.

Distribution by types of troops

The understanding that the entire contingent of the army was obliged to be divided according to types of troops came long before the reign of Peter. A similar approach can be seen in modern army Russia. On the threshold of the First World War Russian Empire, according to many historians, was at the peak of its economic recovery. Consequently, some indicators are compared specifically with this period. On the issue of military branches, a static picture has emerged. We can single out the infantry, separately consider the artillery, the now abolished cavalry, the Cossack army, which was in the ranks regular army, guards units and fleet.

It is noteworthy that in the tsarist army pre-revolutionary Russia military ranks could differ depending on military unit or kind. Despite this, the ranks in the Tsarist Army of Russia were listed in ascending order in strictly in a certain order to maintain unity of management.

Military ranks in infantry divisions

For all branches of the military, the lower ranks had a distinctive feature: they wore smooth shoulder straps with the regiment number depicted. The color of the shoulder strap depended on the type of troops. Infantry troops used red hexagonal shoulder straps. There was also a division by color depending on the regiment or division, but such gradation complicated the recognition process. In addition, on the threshold of World War I, a decision was made to unify the color, establishing a protective shade as the norm.

The lowest ranks include the most popular ranks that are familiar to the modern military personnel. It's about about the private and the corporal. Anyone who tries to study the hierarchy in the army of the Russian Empire involuntarily compares the structure with modern times. The listed titles have survived to this day.

The line of ranks, which indicates membership in the group of sergeant status, is positioned by the Tsarist Army of Russia as non-commissioned officer ranks. Here the correspondence picture looks like this:

• a junior non-commissioned officer is, in our opinion, a junior sergeant;
• senior non-commissioned officer - equivalent to a sergeant;
• sergeant major - placed on the same level as a senior sergeant;
• lieutenant - sergeant major;
• mediocre ensign - ensign.

Junior officers begin with the rank of senior lieutenant. The holder of the chief officer rank has the right to apply for command position. In the infantry, in ascending order, this group are represented by warrant officers, second lieutenants, lieutenants, as well as staff captains and captains.

One noticeable feature is that the rank of major, which in our time is classified as a group of senior officers, in the imperial army corresponds to the rank of chief officer. This discrepancy is further compensated, and general order hierarchy levels are not violated.

Staff officers with the rank of colonel or lieutenant colonel today have similar regalia. It is believed that this group belongs to senior officers. The highest composition is represented by general ranks. In ascending order, the officers of the Imperial Russian Army are divided into major generals, lieutenant generals, and infantry generals. As you know, the existing scheme presupposes the rank of colonel general. Marshal corresponds to the rank of Field Marshal, but this is a theoretical rank, which was awarded only to D.A. Milyutin, being Minister of War until 1881.

In artillery

Following the example of the infantry structure, the difference in ranks for artillery can be represented schematically by identifying five groups of ranks.

• The lowest ones include gunners and bombardiers; these ranks ceased to exist after the defeat of the white units. Even in 1943, the titles were not restored.
• Artillery non-commissioned officers are promoted to the status of junior and senior fireman, and then ensign or ordinary ensign.
• The composition of officers (in our case, chief officers), as well as senior officers (here, staff officers) is no different from the infantry troops. The vertical begins with the rank of warrant officer and ends with colonel.
• The senior officers holding ranks of the highest group are designated by three ranks. Major General, Lieutenant General, and also General Feltsechmeister.

With all this, there is a preservation of a unified structure, so without difficulty anyone can draw up a visual table of correspondence by types of troops or correspondence with the modern military classification.

Among the army Cossacks

Basic distinctive feature imperial army of the early 20th century is the fact that the legendary Cossack army served in regular units. Acting as a separate branch of the military, Russian Cossacks fit into the table of ranks with. Now we can bring all the ranks into line by presenting them in the cross-section of the same five groups of ranks. But general ranks in Cossack army no, so the number of groups was reduced to four.

1. The Cossack and the clerk are considered representatives of the lower ranks.
2. The next level consists of constables and sergeant.
3. The officer corps is represented by a cornet, a centurion, a podesaul and an esaul.
4. Senior officers or staff officers include a military sergeant major and a colonel.

Other ranks

Almost all the issues were considered, but there are some terms that were not mentioned in the article. Let us note that if we had to describe all the ranks indicated in the Table of Ranks, then over the several hundred years of the existence of the imperial army we would have to compile a rather weighty document. If you come across a fairly popular rank that was not discussed above, then you should remember the state report card, as well as the gendarmerie ranks. In addition, some were abolished.

The ranks in the cavalry have a similar structure, only the group of officers is represented by cornets and legendary lieutenants. The captain was senior in rank. Guards regiments are awarded the prefix “Life Guards,” which means that a private in a Guards regiment will be listed as a private in the Life Guards. Similarly, this prefix complements all ranks in the five groups of ranks.

Separately, we should consider the ranks that apply to employees in the navy. A sailor of the 2nd article and a sailor of the first article form a group of lower ranks. Next follow: quartermaster, boatswain and conductor. Until 1917, the boatswain was entitled to the title of boatswain's mate. The group of officers began with midshipmen, and the staff officer ranks consisted of kavtorang and caperang. The highest command powers were vested in the admiral.