Military uniform in Rus' of the 17th century
1. Foot dweller of the 16th - 17th centuries.
2. Rynda XVI - XVII centuries.
3. Sagittarius of the early 17th century.
4. Officer of the Streltsy regiment of the mid-17th century.
Military uniform during the time of Peter the Great
1. Mercenary soldier of a foreign regiment
2. Bombardier of the army of Peter the Great
3. Officer of the Grenadier Regiment of Peter the Great
18th century military uniform
1. Officer of an infantry regiment (during the reign of Anna Ioannovna, 1732-1742).
2. Officer of the hussar regiment (during the reign of Catherine II, 1776-1782).
3. Grenadier of the musketeer regiment (the period of the monarchy of Paul I, 1797-1801).
4. Officer of the Jaeger Regiment (during the reign of Emperor Paul I, 1796-1801).
5. Carabinieri during the reign of Peter III.
6. Non-commissioned officer, hussar of the Life Guards of Paul I.
7. Private cuirassier
8. Flute player of the Preobrazhensky Regiment
19th century military uniform
1. Non-commissioned officer of the musketeer regiment (1802-1803)
2. Private cuirassier regiment (1813-1814)
3. Sailor of the Guards crew (1826-1856)
4. Private of the Life Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment (1826-1856)
5. Trumpeter of the Life Guards Dragoon Regiment.
6. Chief officer of the Life Guards Horse Grenadier Regiment.
7. Chief officer of the Life Guards Hussar Regiment.
8. Chief officer of army infantry regiments.
9. Chief officer of the army dragoon regiments.
10. Chief officer of the army uhlan regiments.
11. Sub-horser of the Life Guards Cossack Regiment.
12. Private of the army infantry regiments.
Military uniform of the Red Army
1. Red Army soldier and commander (1919)
2. Red Army soldier and commander (1922)
3. Red Army soldier and commander (1924)
Military uniform of the Soviet army
1. Winter casual clothing for commanding officers (1934)
2. Cavalry and horse artillery (1934)
1. Military uniform of the Soviet army (1940)
2. Clothes of military construction workers (1973)
3. Summer uniform for petty officers, sergeants and soldiers (1986)
Military uniform of the Russian Army
1. Sample form 1990-2000x
2. Sample presentation 2012
Municipal budgetary educational institution
"Secondary school No. 9"
Story
HISTORY OF THE EVOLUTION OF THE DOMESTIC MILITARY UNIFORM
Pozdnyakova Ekaterina Dmitrievna, 7 "A"
Supervisor :
Borisova A. V.,
history and social studies teacher
Abakan, 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction............................................... ...........................................2
2.Chapter 1. Pre-revolutionary form.................................................... ..........5
3. Chapter 2. Evolution of the domestic form of the post-revolutionary period.................................................... ........................................................ ..........................14
4.Chapter 3. History of modern domestic military uniforms.....21
Conclusion................................................. ...........................................26
Bibliography................................................................ .................27
INTRODUCTION
Leafing through the family album, we discovered that black and white photographs of our great-grandparents evoked awe and admiration in us. Why do such feelings arise? Their open faces, sincere smile, external family similarity... The main thing is that they are all dressed in military uniform!
We were interested in the fact that military uniforms look different. The style of the uniform of my great-grandfather - a soldier of the Tsarist Army - differs from the uniforms of his grandfathers who fought in the Great Patriotic War, and does not at all resemble the military suits of his parents - officers of the Russian Army. What is the reason for this difference, where does the fashion for military uniform come from?
With this question, we went to the Khakass National Museum of Local Lore named after L. R. Kyzlasov. And here's what we learned:
Since ancient times, humanity has been engaged in military operations, defending its territories and conquering new lands. Warriors wear a certain outfit - military uniform. Initially, such clothing served to protect vital organs from damaging factors, for example, chain mail protected from arrows. With the development of military technology, military uniforms are undergoing changes. In addition to being protective and camouflaging, military uniforms are gradually becoming practical, comfortable, aesthetic and even fashionable. The requirements for modern military uniforms are quite high - identical in style, cut, color, strictly regulated in appearance, it indicates that the warrior belongs to one or another armed forces.
As the anniversary of the Great Victory approaches, it becomes obvious relevance of the presented work: it is necessary to learn more about the war heroes who wore military uniforms. We consider it important for the development of patriotism in modern teenagers and the emergence of a sense of pride in the deeds of the heroes of their country, to interest young people in the history of the evolution of military uniforms. Maybe they will want to learn more about their relatives who took part in hostilities, and they themselves will decide to wear a military uniform and defend their people and their homeland. I would also like to note that the information received during the research process will be useful to me in life: I will definitely try to pass it on to my descendants.
Purpose of the study: study the history of the evolution of domestic military fashion and analyze changes in the details of domestic military uniforms at different historical stages of time based on a study of museum exhibits, scientific literature data and family album photographs.
Tasks:
Study museum exhibits on the topic being studied,
Study the principles and factors of changing military uniforms,
Learn more about the fate of relatives who wore military uniforms.
Consider photographs from the family archive of the author of the study related to the topic of the work.
Subject of study: military history of Russia.
Object of study: military uniform at different time stages of Russian history.
A military uniform or military uniform is the clothing of military personnel that is obligatory for wearing in the armed forces of the country and other formations in public service. Military uniforms in various variations have been known since ancient times among different peoples and civilizations. .
The evolution of the domestic military uniform took place at all stages of Russia’s existence, depending on a variety of reasons: from the personal preferences of the country’s leaders, from fashion trends and practical considerations. We will have to understand all the intricacies of changes in military uniforms in our research!
CHAPTER 1. PRE-REVOLUTIONARY FORM
The history of military fashion begins in ancient times. It is generally accepted that a uniform military suit, designed to distinguish military units, appeared in armies in the 17th century. However, the existence of special color combinations for military suits was also found at an earlier time. Studying the exhibits of the museum, we find a reconstruction of an Ancient Turkic warrior from the turn of the 1st -2nd millennium AD.
A male warrior is dressed in chain mail that covers his back, chest and shoulders, a helmet that protects his head and face, and a mandatory attribute is a shield that covers the front of his body.
At this stand we studied items of clothing and weapons of a Kyrgyz warrior of the 16th-17th centuries. The exhibits have survived well to this day because they are made of metal. The main function of these suits is to protect vital organs from damaging factors - spears and arrows. We cannot judge the aesthetic side; perhaps in those days a man in such armor was considered a standard of fashion and style, albeit a little clumsy and cumbersome. The main thing is that he could protect himself and his land.
We studied the exhibits of the Khakass National Museum of Local Lore named after L. R. Kyzlasov regarding military uniforms, but the full exposition of the military suit is in the archives and will be shown only by May 9. Unfortunately, access to the archives is closed. To learn more about military fashion, I turned to the online Museum of Military Uniforms in the Moscow region. And here's what we learned:
The shape, style and material of military clothing remained almost unchanged until the 17th century. We see how clothing changes with the invention of small arms and gunpowder. Gunpowder was invented in the 12th century, but began to be used in the military industry only in the 17th century. Therefore, since the 17th century, military uniforms have undergone significant changes.
Armor of a warrior of the 7th -9th centuries. n. e.
Local army of riflemenXVI century.
Armor of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, 17th century.
It is important to note that the replacement of traditional Russian clothing in the army with European ones, as well as the ban on nobles wearing other types of costume other than European ones, were among the reforms of Peter I, which were of a certain symbolic nature.
The period of the reign of Paul and the Pavlovichs is called the heyday of the systematization of military uniforms in Russia. If Peter I was the initiator of the unification of clothing for the military, although he did not have time to complete it due to the war with the Swedes, then throughout the 18th century the Russian military uniform changed according to the canons they laid down. We remember Paul I’s commitment to the Prussian traditions of uniform, but we also must not forget that Peter I, among other things, borrowed samples of military uniforms from the Germans to introduce them into the Russian army. We are talking, first of all, about the Saxons, who were allies of the Russian Empire in the Northern War. It can be noted that during this period one of the predominant colors was red, which was the color of the uniforms of Saxon soldiers.
After the accession of the new Emperor Alexander I to the throne, “epaulets and buttonholes” again became an integral part of the life of the Russian army. Despite the fact that the cut of the uniform changed, its essence remained “Pavlovian”. The uniform, unlike military clothing in the 18th century, is already becoming an integral part of the life of Russian society. This can be explained quite simply: the Russian emperors were, first of all, military men who received military training and education. The army was an ideal for them as children. Even among the civil servants of the empire, it is difficult to name a person who, at least in his youth, for at least several years, would not wear an officer’s uniform. On the one hand, the reason for this lay in the continuous wars that Russia waged during that period of time, on the other hand, because the uniform was gradually becoming mandatory, including for civilian departments.
By the beginning of the 30s. In the 19th century, the unification of the military uniform was completed. There are no longer any differences in the rules for wearing it. The main color of the Nicholas soldiers is a dark green uniform with red trim. After the 50s unification and the triumph of the standard will decline. But Alexander II will carry out fundamental changes precisely in the military sphere - he will begin with changing the cut of the uniform in 1855 throughout the army, and will end with the implementation of the law on universal conscription, at the same time once again changing the appearance of the military uniform.
Alexander III, known as the peacemaker Tsar, did not favor warfare, and he introduced a military uniform that would suit his aesthetic tastes - monotonous and modest, which, as the emperor thought, took its roots in folk clothing. This modest “folk” style prevailed in the clothing of the Russian army until 1907, when, under the influence of defeat in the Russo-Japanese War, the government tried to boost the morale of the army by introducing a new military uniform. The new samples were distinguished by a combination of different types of uniforms that were used in the Russian army from 1812 to 1881. With all this, in addition to the bright ceremonial uniform, a field uniform of khaki color was also introduced, which was the same for all branches of the military. In 1913, the last attempt was made to combine the dress and field uniforms, by attaching bright details such as a lapel or epaulette to the latter, but due to the outbreak of the First World War, this idea was never fully realized.
Private of the Kyiv Hussar Regiment in full dress uniform, 1845-1855
. 
Museum of Military Uniforms in the Moscow Region
While studying the military uniform of the pre-revolutionary period, we decided to turn to the family archive of the Abakan Pozdnyakov family.
This photograph from 1910 is the only photograph of the great-grandfather of the author of the presented work! The Pozdnyakov family values this photo very much, since in the thirties of the last century, the great-grandfather was repressed and all his property was taken away. It's a miracle this photo survived. In the picture, the great-grandfather of the author of the study, Nikandr Galaktionovich Zholobov, is only 20 years old. In the photo he is on the right, dressed in the military uniform of the Tsarist Army. It can be seen that three comrades are serving together in the same troops, captured in a joyful moment, perhaps they were singing to an accordion. All three have smiles on their faces, a brave appearance, their boots are polished to a shine... Could they have imagined that this is how their great-grandchildren would remember them.
You involuntarily understand that a military uniform and shoulder straps impose a certain responsibility, motivate you to take actions and even heroic deeds, change your way of life...
CHAPTER 2. EVOLUTION OF THE DOMESTIC FORM AFTER THE REVOLUTIONARY TIME
For the first time since the 1917 revolution, the Red Army introduced a common uniform for all military personnel and uniform insignia for command personnel in 1919. By order number 116 of January 16, 1919, the RVSR introduced sleeve insignia for command personnel: for junior command personnel - red cloth triangles under a red star, for middle ones - squares and for senior ones - rhombuses and buttonholes with colors according to the branches of the military.
Museum of Military Uniforms in the Moscow Region
The multi-colored uniforms of the 18th and 19th centuries have sunk into summer. Soon, the past “multi-color” was replaced by an almost monotonous Soviet uniform: by order of April 8, 1919, the first samples of uniforms were approved: a helmet, an infantry and cavalry overcoat with three stripes on the chest made of colored cloth according to the branch of the army, leather bast shoes and a summer shirt with three stripes of cloth on the chest in the color of the military branch .
In 1924, when military reform was carried out, the army switched to a new uniform, more simplified. Breast flaps and sleeve insignia were abolished, and buttonholes were sewn on overcoats and tunics. Metal insignia covered with red enamel were attached to the buttonholes: for senior officers - rhombuses, for senior officers - rectangles, for middle officers - squares and for junior officers - triangles. The Red Army soldiers had regiment numbers on their buttonholes.
A unified system of military ranks in the army for all command and control personnel was introduced in 19433, and shoulder straps were also introduced at the same time. Thus, the Soviet military uniform takes on a modern look.
The system of military rank insignia introduced in 1943 generally remained unchanged until the collapse of the USSR, the transformation of the remnants of the Soviet Army into the Russian Army in 1992-94. Only partial changes took place.
Museum of Military Uniforms in the Moscow Region
Clothing of the commander-in-chief of the Victory Parade 1945.
For a more detailed acquaintance with the features of the military uniform of the post-revolutionary period, we again turned to the archives of the Pozdnyakov family.
The yellowed photographs presented below from the time of the Great Patriotic War depict the great-uncle of the author of the study, Aleksey Ermilovich Chugunov. The style of the military uniform is quite simple and practical. Interesting are the breeches, narrowed from the knees and significantly widened at the hips. In such trousers it is not only convenient to wear boots, but also to sit on a horse.
We were able to learn the detailed fate of the grandfather from his daughter, the aunt of the author of the study, who lives in Moscow. Alexey Ermilovich was born in 1925 in Siberia. When the war began, he was 16 years old. From November 1941 to January 1943, grandfather was the commander of a partisan detachment near the city of Ruza (Moscow region)
Since January 1943 to September 1943 - cadet of the machine gun regiment.
Since 1943 - commander of the 17/20 anti-aircraft artillery regiment of the first Bryansk tank corps, then the first Baltic Front, since 1945. - Belorussian Front.
He met victory in Koeniksberg and was immediately transferred east to the Russo-Japanese War, then served in Chukotka. After the war, Alexey Ermilovich worked as the first secretary of the regional party committee in Ruza, then in Moscow. He died in 1999 and was buried in Moscow. His military uniform and awards are exhibits at the local history museum in the city of Ruza.
This photograph shows the great-grandparents of the author of the study in the form of a sample from the times of the Great Patriotic War: Urzhuntsev Vasily Markelovich (1920-1986) and Urzhuntseva Evdokia Georgievna (1924-1997) served together during the Great Patriotic War in the Tenth Air Army, after the war they got married and lived a long and happy life. They were buried in the city of Makeevka, Donetsk region.
This photo from the Pozdnyakov family archive shows the great-uncle of the author of the work - Abrosimov Ivan Vasilievich 1920-1996. He served in the infantry troops on the Leningrad Front. He was wounded and buried in the village of Kopievo, Ordzhenekidze district, Republic of Khakassia. In his wardrobe we see an invariable attribute of the military uniform during the Russian winter - a hat with earflaps and felt boots.
The first noticeable change in military uniforms occurred only in 1955, when colored piping on the field shoulder straps of sergeants and soldiers was abolished. Green emblems of the military branches are being introduced, placed just below the button, and not in the center of the shoulder strap. Because of this, the rank stripes moved slightly lower on the shoulder strap. The uniform red stripes gave way to burgundy and brown.
“Since December 1955, the everyday colored shoulder straps of soldiers and sergeants have also lost their colored edges, the emblem also moved to the button, and the golden (yellow) stripes for command personnel and silver (grayish-white) for everyone else also moved down somewhat.” It is important that with the liquidation of cavalry as a branch of the military, blue shoulder straps were abolished.
With the introduction in 1970 of a new uniform for soldiers, sergeants and cadets, only three main colors of shoulder straps were left: for motorized riflemen and for combined arms - scarlet; for aviation and airborne forces - blue; for all other branches of the military - black. Somewhat later, the letter “K” was introduced on the shoulder straps of military school cadets. The shoulder straps and buttonholes on all uniforms of soldiers and sergeants, without exception, became colored with golden stripes. Khaki shoulder straps with red stripes remained only on field soldiers' and sergeants' uniforms.
CHAPTER 3. HISTORY OF MODERN DOMESTIC MILITARY UNIFORM
Since the fall of 1991, the nascent national armies of the former Soviet republics of the USSR have been introducing their own insignia. In Russia, the creation of the Russian Army will be officially proclaimed by Russian Presidential Decree No. 466 of May 7, 1992. However, the previous uniforms and insignia will legally exist until Russian Presidential Decree No. 1010 of May 23, 1994 on the introduction of uniforms and insignia of the Russian Army.
But in general, for a long time in the army one could find a mixture of old and new: if by 2000 officers wore mostly new insignia and uniforms, then to a greater extent sergeants and soldiers still wore the insignia of the Soviet Army. For example, on Soviet-style shoulder straps with the letters “SA” one could see new sergeant insignia. Or, on the contrary, on the shoulder straps of the new model are Soviet sergeant stripes.
These photographs from 1992 from the family archive of the Pozdnyakov family depict the author’s parents in field and everyday cadet uniforms. From their stories you can learn with what excitement and trepidation they put on military uniform for the first time. After all, putting on a uniform and shoulder straps, you become responsible for your people and Motherland.
Surprisingly, military uniforms are liked not only by the stronger sex. The photographs above show the study author's mother in 1993. According to her stories, the attractiveness of the military uniform also lies in the fact that the uniform even hides figure defects, giving harmony and elegance. Girls in military uniform on the streets of Tomsk caught the admiring glances of passers-by. There was no way for young people wanting to meet each other. For some, the military uniform even helped them organize their personal lives - this is another advantage of the military uniform!
This photograph shows the father of the author of the presented work while taking a test in physical education. He is wearing the field military uniform of a Russian Army officer. The camouflage color allows for ideal camouflage in combat conditions, the cotton base of the fabric performs the function of thermoregulation during significant physical activity, the loose fit does not interfere with active movements, and many pockets make the uniform comfortable and stylish. The neckline, sleeve cuffs and pants fit snugly to the body, protecting against bites of ticks, mosquitoes, and snakes.
Comfortable lace-up shoes made of genuine leather with a high shank in the form of ankle boots allow you to move freely in any climatic and geographical conditions under any physical activity. The head is protected by a camouflage cap on a cotton base with a visor and drop-down ears.
There are no downsides to this military uniform. It is multifunctional, practical, comfortable, and performs protective and camouflaging functions. It is no coincidence that modern designers use this style in modern clothing, calling it military.
Photographs were also found in the family archive, which show models of ceremonial military uniforms of the parents of the author of the study:
In this photo, dad is with his colleagues after the Victory Parade on May 9, 2008. We see the ceremonial costume of an officer of the Russian Army. It is decorated with aiguillettes, gold-colored shoulder straps and buttons, emphasizing the solemnity of the moment.
In this photo, the parents of the author of the work are depicted in full dress uniform of the Navy in the city of Severomorsk. Dad doesn’t have aiguillettes here, but there is a dagger on his belt, and gold-colored stripes on the collar in the form of oak leaves (the so-called oaks). The dress uniform of a female officer is not so elegant; it differs from the everyday one only in the white color of the shirt. I think it suits my mom.
So, on May 9, 2014, in the military-patriotic game “Lazertak,” the author of the study and his team were partially dressed in military uniform. Run, jump, crawl comfortably, comfortably, safely, you can’t even see the dirt!
In this photo we are with the tourist club on Ergaki, almost half of the tourists have elements of a military uniform in their clothes, because on such trips practicality, convenience and safety are valued in clothing. It is no coincidence that the military style is so relevant in our time.
CONCLUSION
Thus, just as the fate of the army is inextricably linked with the fate of society, so the army is connected with its military clothing. By studying the history of the uniform not only at the everyday level, but also as the development of a system of military regulation or a sign system, one can see another facet in the study of the history of the Russian army and the Russian state as a whole.
Studying the history of military fashion, we learned not only about the styles, characteristics, and functions of military uniforms of various times and peoples, but also learned in more detail about our relatives who wore military uniforms and fought in the Great Patriotic War. After all, before, leafing through a family album, we simply liked to look at people in military uniform. Now we know the fates of these people close to us, our ancestors. After all, it was they who defended our country, preserved peace and gave us the opportunity to be born and live under a peaceful sky. I will try to preserve and pass on the memory of them to my descendants.
Surprisingly, while preparing the material for this research work, the author of the study unexpectedly wrote a poem with which we conclude our study:
Great-grandfather bequeathed.
Let the age be small and there be no gray hair,
I remember my relatives who brought peace to the country!
My great-grandfather fought, defended Russia
I see how my father tied his fate
To serve the Fatherland and in childhood he said:
Your great-grandfather fought, defended Russia
Why are we all quarreling then, neighbor?
After all, we have been living on the same land for many years.
Our great-grandfather fought, defended the Fatherland
And I want to live in a cloudless country
And tell the children about that terrible war,
How my great-grandfather fought and defended Russia
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL LIST
1. Arkharova A.S. Patriotic education in the educational system of the school // Local history aspects of the education of a citizen of Russia. Abstracts of reports of a scientific-practical conference. − Ryazan, 2001. −P. 98.
2. Gruzdov E.V. Heraldry behind semiotics and symbology // Cultural studies in Siberia. − Omsk, 2000. − No. 1 − P. 44-53.
3. Dmitriev V.D. Man. Warrior. Okhotnik.− REM, St. Petersburg, 2014−P.12-19.
4. Zenkov Yu.V. Serve the fatherland. −Kaliningrad, 2000. −110 p.
5. Smirnov A. The soldier must be... decorated // Motherland. − 1995. − No. 1 − P. 84-88.
12. [Electronic resource]: museum of military uniforms in the Moscow region
Arkharova A.S. Patriotic education in the educational system of the school // Local history aspects of the education of a citizen of Russia. Abstracts of reports of the scientific-practical conference. − Ryazan, 2001. − P. 98.
Gruzdov E.V. Heraldry behind semiotics and symbology // Cultural studies in Siberia. − Omsk, 2000. − No. 1 − P. 44-53.
What can a military uniform do? First of all, it must communicate something important about its owner. The owner of the uniform is a member of a military corporation, and the uniform, using various signs. Tells us about the place that its bearer occupies in the military hierarchy. Further, the uniform tells us that the person wearing it has the main qualities inherent in this corporation - courage, discipline and reliability, that is, those qualities that are traditionally considered the main masculine virtues.
The history of the military uniform in the broadest sense, as the history of uniforms, goes back centuries.
The most ancient clothing of warriors were animal skins, and these skins were worn with the clearest purpose - to intimidate the enemy. For example, Roman infantry wore wolf skins over their helmets, and Hannibal dressed his troops in leopard skins. In the medieval Balkans, military scouts dressed in fur and feathers, and to this day, for example, we see funny bearskin hats on the Scottish, Irish and Welsh guards. Actually, animal skins worn by warriors can also be considered proto-camouflage.
Insignia
For the time being, the military uniform spoke for itself - it was armor, and sometimes it also had military insignia. For example, the armor of the medieval samurai was tightly intertwined with silk and leather cords of various colors. This lacing could be one-color or multi-colored, and quite complex, but the main thing is that it individualized the warrior and designated his rank. This was important for the following reason: samurai battles in 10th-13th century Japan were in many ways reminiscent of knightly battles in medieval Europe. These were primarily fights between lone warriors. The more noble a warrior fell on the battlefield, the greater the reward he received from his master. So, on the one hand, distinctive laces are a sign of clan affiliation and individual valor, and on the other hand, they are something like a price tag at a military vanity fair.
European uniformity
16th century military uniform
As military technology developed and military tactics changed, serious changes in military attire also emerged. By the second half of the 16th century, army clothing in Europe began to change and become uniform. An individual approach to equipment began to be replaced by the requirements of uniformity. Discipline, drill and other formal procedures inherent in modern European society did their job.
The infantry began to dress quite simply, but the other branches of the military received their own types of uniforms. In the 17th century, various military decorations began to spread - braids, ribbons, rosettes and buttons. The officers represented the highest army chic. Their colorful ribbons and scarves spoke of prowess and power. According to one historian, this mixture of sophistication with the harsh reality of war became the model for men's fashion in the mid-17th century.
Mass production of military equipment began during the Thirty Years' War of 1618 - 1648. This pan-European war became a powerful incentive for the standardization of military clothing. As a result of this war, France remained the main winner, and in the future it was this country that played a key role in the development of European military fashion.
What did the 17th century military look like?
From the 1670s, European soldiers began to wear French long woolen uniforms - camisoles in white, red or blue. These camisoles, or semi-caftans, were decorated with multi-colored cuffs, collars and lapels. Significant military decorations also included braid, cords, buttons and embroidery. All this set the main direction in military fashion of those years, and since the military type was considered the ideal for a man, all these army accessories became popular in civilian fashion. The military uniform, in its own way, created civil society. The army outfit symbolized discipline, authority, reliability and orderliness, and these qualities fully corresponded to the requirements of the European state of modern times - the so-called regular state. “Individual strength, understanding and obedience of people are transformed. Thanks to form, into collective power,” noted the famous French fashion historian Daniel Roge. Retired military personnel often continued to wear their uniform in civilian life because it helped them in their civilian careers. A military uniform on a person spoke about his views and habits, and also influenced behavior, posture and ability to behave in society. The military uniform built and calculated the culture of everyday life. Military uniform itself required adherence to a certain etiquette and careful care. Keeping in mind the military uniform, civilian dress also demanded care and order from its wearers. As a result, we see how, directly or indirectly, the military uniform, by the end of the 17th century, established itself as a standard of elegance and style, and the civilian uniform - court or bureaucratic, began to increasingly resemble the military one, but one should not think that the civilian uniform became gloomy and monotonous, on the contrary - following military models, it was bright and elegant.
Napoleon era uniform
The finest hour of the military uniform struck during the era of the Napoleonic wars. It was then that the most luxurious examples of military dress were created - extravagant and with a lot of details. The officers ordered their dresses from military and civilian tailors, and showed off in front of each other. The uniform most accurately conveys the spirit of the times of that Europe, which was born out of the upheavals of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. And although in military fashion there was general standardization and a fight against individual whims, VIPs of that time could afford unimaginable excesses.
The legendary Napoleonic marshal Joachim Murat ordered an elaborate uniform for his troops - black, with gold braid, scarlet trousers, a belt with gold buttons and heron feathers on the shako. He dressed his horses in blankets made of panther skins with red scallops and gold trim. He himself dressed up in a new uniform every day and sometimes looked like a parrot.
Napoleon's attire also tended towards a uniform, but it was a super-elite uniformism. His famous gray traveling chest was unique and spoke of ascetic chosenness by God. Following the historical truth, this famous frock coat turns into a special sign of the evil Corsican Leo Tolstoy in the imperishable novel “War and Peace”. This remarkable scene is observed by Tolstoy at the beginning of the Russian campaign of the French emperor:
“The troops knew about the presence of the emperor, looked for him with their eyes, and when they found a figure in a frock coat and hat separated from his retinue on the mountain in front of the tent, they threw their caps up and shouted “Vive l’empereur!” On the faces of these people there was a general expression of joy at the beginning of the long-awaited campaign, and delight, and devotion to the man in a gray frock coat standing on the mountain.”
Military Official's Uniform
The Russian military uniform has undergone many changes, improvements and innovations throughout its history. This was due to the will of the ruler, changes in ideology, and the influence of Western European military fashion.
Most Russian emperors were adherents of the military fashion of Western Europe, so the Russian military uniform was often similar to the uniforms of other European armies. And only Emperor Alexander III gave the military uniform the appearance of national clothing.
Pre-Petrine era
In Russia until the end of the 17th century. There were almost no permanent troops, so there were no military uniforms. The princes' squads were dressed in the same clothes as civilians, only armor was added.
True, some princes sometimes acquired uniform clothes for their squad, but these were isolated cases.
The government of Tsar Michael in 1631, expecting a war with Poland, sent Colonel Alexander Leslie to Sweden to recruit 5,000 infantry soldiers.
In the 17th century, during the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich, “Regiments of the Foreign Order” were formed - military units formed from “willing” free people, Cossacks, foreigners and others, and later from Danish people modeled on Western European armies.
The first unified military uniform in Rus' can be considered the clothing of the Streltsy regiments. They appeared in the 17th century.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius- service person; a horseman or infantryman armed with “fire combat.” Streltsy in Russia made up the first regular army.
The Streltsy regiments had a uniform and obligatory dress uniform (“colored dress”) for all. It consisted of an outer caftan, a hat with a fur band, pants and boots, the color of which (except for the pants) was regulated in accordance with belonging to a particular regiment.
Kaftan– men's outerwear.
What is common in the weapons and clothing of all archers:
- gloves with brown leather cuffs;
- during a campaign, the muzzle of a squeak or musket was covered with a short leather case;
- the berdysh was worn behind the back over either shoulder;
- a sash was worn over the waist belt;
- there were no buttonholes on the traveling caftan;
- The external distinction of the senior officers (“initial people”) was the image of a crown embroidered with pearls on the cap and a staff, as well as the ermine lining of the upper caftan and the edge of the cap (which indicated a high-born princely origin).
The ceremonial uniform was worn only on special days: during the main church holidays and during special events.
Everyday and on military campaigns, a “portable dress” was used, which had the same cut as the dress uniform, but made of cheaper cloth of gray, black or brown color.
S. Ivanov “Sagittarius”
Streltsy regiments during the struggle for power opposed Peter I and were repressed by him. The European-style form was introduced in Russia by Peter I, mainly borrowing it from the Swedes.
The era of Peter I
Peter I created a regular army based on the “Regiments of the Foreign Order”, which existed during the reign of his father, and streltsy units. The army was staffed on the basis of conscription (compulsory service for nobles also remained until the mid-18th century). Peter inherited from his predecessors an army already adapted for further reconstruction. There were two “elected” regiments in Moscow (Butyrsky and Lefortovo), commanded by “foreigners” P. Gordon and F. Lefort.
In his “amusing” villages, Peter organized two new regiments: Preobrazhensky and Semyonovsky, completely according to the foreign model. By 1692, these regiments were finally trained and formed the 3rd Moscow elective regiment, led by General A. M. Golovin.
Officer of the Life Guards Semenovsky Regiment from 1700 to 1720.
At first, the officer uniform of Peter the Great's army was no different from the soldier's uniform. Then they introduced the “commander’s insignia” - an officer’s scarf. This detail was borrowed from the Swedes, with the exception of the colors, which reproduced the colors of the Russian flag. According to the rules, the scarf was worn over the right shoulder and tied at the left thigh, but our officers adapted to wear it around the waist - it was more convenient in battle. Peter's scarf, with modifications, has survived to the present day - in the form of a ceremonial officer's belt.
Grenadier of an infantry regiment from 1700 to 1732
The armament of each soldier consisted of a sword with a sword belt and a fusée. Fusee - a gun, the fusee lock was made of flint; In the necessary cases, a baguette - a five- or eight-inch triangular bayonet - was mounted on the fusee. The cartridges were placed in leather bags attached to the sling.
Captain and Ensign of the Musketeer companies of the Infantry Regiment from 1763 to 1786.
Masterarms and the sergeants, instead of the fusee, were armed with halberds - axes on a three-arch shaft.
Sergeant of the Infantry Regiment with a halberd from 1700 to 1720
One of the companies in each regiment was called a grenadier, and a feature of its weapons were matchlock bombs, which were kept by the grenadier in a special bag. Grenadiers- selected units of infantry and/or cavalry, intended to storm enemy fortifications, mainly in siege operations.
Dragoons- the name of cavalry (cavalry), capable of also operating on foot. Dragoons in Russia were mounted and dismounted.
Fanen-junker of the Nizhny Novgorod Dragoon Regiment, 1797-1800.
Since 1700, a soldier's uniform consisted of a small flattened cocked hat, caftan, epancha, camisole and trousers.
Cocked hat
Epancha- a wide sleeveless round raincoat with a hood for men, and for women - a short, sleeveless fur coat (obepanechka). Brought from the Arab East.
Camisole- men's clothing, sewn at the waist, knee-length, sometimes sleeveless, worn under a caftan.
The hat was black, the brim was trimmed with braid, and a brass button was attached to the left side. When listening to orders from the elders, the younger ones took off their hat and held it under their left armpit. Soldiers and officers wore their hair long to the shoulder, and on ceremonial occasions they powdered it with flour.
The caftans of the infantry were made of green cloth, those of the dragoons were made of blue, single-breasted, without a collar, with red cuffs (the lapel on the sleeve of men's clothing).
Cuff of the 8th Cuirassier Regiment of the French Army (1814-1815)
The caftan was knee-length and equipped with copper buttons; The cape for cavalry and infantry was made of red cloth and had two collars: it was a narrow cape that reached to the knees and did not protect well from rain and snow; boots - long, with light bells (funnel-shaped extension) were worn only on guard duty and when marching, and ordinary shoes were stockings and blunt-toed greased heads with a copper buckle; The stockings of the army soldiers were green, and the stockings of the Preobrazhensky and Semyonovtsy after the Narva defeat were red, according to legend, in memory of the day when the former “amusing” regiments did not flinch, despite the general “embarrassment” under the onslaught of Charles XII.
Fuseler of the Life Guards Semenovsky Regiment, from 1700 to 1720.
The grenadiers of the guard differed from the fusiliers (soldiers armed with flintlocks) only in their headdress: instead of a three-cornered hat, they wore leather helmets with an ostrich feather.
The cut of the officer's uniform was the same as that of the soldiers, only trimmed along the edges and sides with gold braid, the buttons were also gilded, and the tie, instead of black cloth, like the soldiers', was white linen. Attached to the hat plume from white and red feathers.
Infantry general in a hat with a plume
In full dress uniform, officers were required to wear powdered wigs on their heads. What distinguished an officer from a private was a white, blue and red scarf with silver tassels, and a staff officer with gold tassels, which was worn high on the chest, near the collar.
Under Peter I in Russia, epaulettes also appeared on military clothing. Shoulder straps have been used as a means of distinguishing military personnel of one regiment from military personnel of another regiment since 1762, when each regiment was equipped with shoulder straps of various weaves made of garus cord. At the same time, an attempt was made to make shoulder straps a means of distinguishing soldiers and officers, for which purpose, in the same regiment, officers and soldiers had different weaving patterns for shoulder straps.
Subsequently, the form of uniform changed, although in general the patterns of Peter the Great were preserved, which became increasingly more complex. After the Seven Years' War, the cult of Frederick the Great developed. Convenience in the form of uniforms was forgotten; They tried to make a good-looking soldier out of him and give him such uniforms that it would take all his free time from service to keep them in order. It took soldiers especially a lot of time to keep their hair in order: they combed it into two curls and a braid, powdered it when on foot, and when on horseback they were allowed not to powder their hair and not curl it in curls, taking it into one tight braid, but it was necessary to grow it and comb your mustache high or, for those who don’t have one, wear false ones.
The soldier's clothing was narrow, which was caused by the requirement of the then standing position and especially marching without bending the knees. Many units of the troops had elk trousers, which were wetted and dried in public before putting them on. This uniform was so inconvenient that the training manual instructed recruits to wear it no earlier than three months in order to teach soldiers how to use such clothing.
The era of Catherine II
During the reign of Catherine II, the uniform was not observed very carefully. The guards officers were burdened by it and did not wear it at all outside the ranks. It was changed at the end of Catherine's reign at the insistence of Prince Potemkin. He said that “curling, powdering, braiding hair – is this a soldier’s job? Everyone must agree that it is healthier to wash and comb your hair than to burden it with powder, lard, flour, hairpins, and braids. A soldier’s toilet should be such that when it’s up, it’s ready.” The army's uniform was simplified and consisted of a wide uniform and trousers tucked into high boots; the cocked hat was replaced for the soldiers by a helmet with a longitudinal crest, which protected the head well from a saber strike, but did not protect against the cold.
Cavalry guard in full dress (1793)
Private and chief officer of an infantry regiment in uniform 1786-1796.
But in the cavalry and especially in the guards, the uniform remained shiny and uncomfortable, although complex hairstyles and leggings disappeared from the ordinary uniform of the troops.
The era of Paul I
Paul I carried out his own army reform, because Discipline in the regiments suffered, titles were handed out undeservedly (from birth, noble children were assigned to some rank, to this or that regiment. Many, having a rank and receiving a salary, did not serve at all). Paul I decided to follow Peter the Great and take as a basis the model of the modern European army (Prussian), seeing in it a model of discipline and perfection. Military reform did not stop even after Paul's death.
S. Shchukin “Portrait of Emperor Paul I in a ceremonial uniform and cocked hat”
The uniform consisted of a wide and long uniform with tails and a turn-down collar, narrow and short trousers, patent leather shoes, stockings with garters and boot-like boots and a small triangular hat. The regiments differed in the color of collars and cuffs, but without any system, they were difficult to remember and poorly distinguished.
Hairstyles are once again becoming important - soldiers powder their hair and braid it into braids of the prescribed length with a bow at the end; The hairstyle was so complex that the troops employed hairdressers.
Powder is not gunpowder
Bookles are not guns,
A scythe is not a cleaver,
I'm not a Prussian, but a natural Russian!
Grenadier of the Pavlovsk Regiment
Grenadiers wore tall cone-shaped hats (grenadiers) with a large metal shield in front; These hats, like a ceremonial headdress, were preserved in the Pavlovsky Life Guards Regiment.
According to eyewitnesses, the soldiers suffered most during the campaign from patent leather shoes and tight pants, which chafed their legs.
Age of Alexander I
Emperor Alexander I was a supporter of magnificent military uniforms, which became even more uncomfortable. The Pavlovsk uniform was replaced by a new one in 1802. Wigs were destroyed, boot-like boots and shoes were replaced with boots with trouser fastenings; the uniforms were significantly shortened, narrowed and looked like tailcoats (the tails on the uniforms were left, but the soldiers had them short); standing solid collars and shoulder straps and epaulettes were introduced; officers' collars were decorated with embroidery or buttonholes and were generally colored; The shelves were distinguished by their colors. Light and comfortable cocked hats were replaced by new hats, tall, heavy and very uncomfortable; they bore the general name of shakos, while the straps on the shakos and the collar rubbed the neck.
Shako- a military headdress of a cylindrical shape, with a flat top, with a visor, often with decoration in the form of a sultan. It was common in many European armies of the early 19th century.
The senior command staff was assigned to wear the then popular bicorne hats of enormous size with feathers and edging. In winter it was warm in a bicorne hat, but in summer it was very hot, so the peakless cap also became popular in the warm season.
S. Shchukin “Alexander I in the uniform of the Life Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment”
Shoulder straps were first introduced only in the infantry (red), then the number of colors was increased to five (red, blue, white, dark green and yellow, in order of the division regiments); officer's shoulder straps were trimmed with galloon, and in 1807 they were replaced with epaulettes.
D. Doe “Portrait of General Peter Bagration with epaulets”
Epaulettes– shoulder insignia of military rank on military uniform. They were common in the armies of European countries in the 18th-19th centuries, especially during the Napoleonic wars. By the middle of the 20th century, they practically went out of circulation.
Subsequently, epaulettes were also given to the lower ranks of some cavalry units.
Pavlovsk raincoats were replaced by narrow overcoats with stand-up collars that did not cover the ears. The equipment included a lot of belts, which were difficult to maintain in good condition. The uniform was complex and difficult to wear.
From the date of Alexander I’s accession to the throne until 1815, officers were allowed to wear a private dress outside of duty; but at the end of the foreign campaign, due to unrest in the army, this right was canceled.
Staff officer and chief officer of the grenadier regiment (1815)
The era of Nicholas I
Under Nicholas I, uniforms and overcoats were at first still very narrow, especially in the cavalry - officers even had to wear corsets; It was impossible to put anything under the overcoat. The collars of the uniform were buttoned tightly and strongly supported the head. The shakos were too high; during parades they were decorated with sultans, so that the entire headdress was about 73.3 cm high.
Bloomers (cloth in winter, linen in summer) were worn over boots; underneath they wore boots with five or six buttons, since the boots were very short. The ammunition made of white and black lacquered belts required constant cleaning. A huge relief was the permission to wear, first out of formation, and then on campaign, caps similar to the current ones. The variety of forms was great.
Chief officer of the Life Guards Volyn Regiment (1830)
Only in 1832 did simplifications in the form of uniforms begin: in 1844, heavy and uncomfortable shakos were replaced with high helmets with a sharp top, officers and generals began to wear caps with visors; the troops were equipped with mittens and earmuffs. Since 1832, officers of all branches of arms have been allowed to wear mustaches, and officers’ horses must not have their tails trimmed or their ribs trimmed.
Non-commissioned officer of laboratory companies (1826-1828) – cap with visor
In the last years of Nicholas's reign, the uniform acquired a Prussian cut instead of the French one: ceremonial helmets with ponytails were introduced for officers and generals, uniforms for the guard were made from dark blue or black cloth, the tails on army uniforms became short, and on white trousers for ceremonial and On special occasions they began to wear red stripes, like in the Prussian army.
In 1843, transverse stripes were introduced on soldiers' shoulder straps - stripes, which distinguished ranks.
In 1854, shoulder straps were also introduced for officers. From that time on, epaulettes began to be gradually replaced by shoulder straps.
Age of Alexander II
I. Tyurin “Alexander II in the uniform of the Life Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment”
The troops received a convenient form of uniform only during the reign of Emperor Alexander II. It had a beautiful and impressive appearance and was at the same time spacious and allowed the insulation to be pulled up in cold weather. In February 1856, the tailcoat-like uniforms were replaced by full-skirted uniforms. The cavalry retained the shiny uniforms and their colors, but the cut was made more comfortable. Everyone received spacious overcoats with a turn-down collar that covered the ears with fabric buttonholes; The collars of the uniforms were lowered and widened.
The army uniform was first double-breasted, then single-breasted. Bloomers were worn in boots only on campaigns, then always among the lower ranks; in summer the trousers were made of linen.
Private and adjutant of the Life Guards of the Lithuanian Regiment (in everyday and dress uniforms), 1862.
Beautiful, but uncomfortable helmets remained only with the cuirassiers and the guards, who, in addition, had caps without visors. The ceremonial and ordinary attire was a cap. Lancers continued to wear diamond-topped shakos.
A convenient and practical bashlyk was introduced, which helped the soldier in the winter. Satchels and bags were lightened, the number and width of belts for carrying them were reduced, and the soldier’s burden was lightened.
Age of Alexander III
I. Kramskoy “Portrait of Alexander III”
By the beginning of the 70s of the XIX century. A short haircut was required. The uniform of this era was quite comfortable. The Emperor sought to nationalize military uniforms. Only the Guards cavalry retained their former rich clothing. The new uniform was based on uniformity and ease of wear and fit. The headdress both in the guard and in the army consisted of a low, round lambskin cap with a cloth bottom; The hat is decorated with the St. Andrew's Star in the Guard, and with the coat of arms in the Army.
Cossack of the Ural Cossack Army, chief officer of His Majesty's Life Guards Cossack Regiment and adjutant general of the Cossack troops (1883)
A uniform with a standing collar in the army with a straight back and side without any piping was fastened with hooks, which can be freely altered, widening or narrowing the uniform. The Guards uniform had a slanted edge with piping, a colored high collar and the same cuffs; The cavalry uniform, with its transformation exclusively into dragoon regiments (except for the guard), became similar to the infantry uniform, only somewhat shorter.
Lamb ceremonial hat
The lamb ceremonial hat was reminiscent of an ancient boyar. Wide trousers tucked into high boots. In the army, overcoats were fastened with hooks so that in sunny weather a shiny object would not attract the attention of the enemy and cause fire. For the same reason, sultans and helmets with shiny coats of arms were abolished. In the guard, overcoats were fastened with buttons. In the infantry and other branches of arms, caps with bands were introduced; the difference between one regiment and another was based on the combination of colors of shoulder straps and bands. Divisions differed from divisions by numbers on their shoulder straps.
V. Vereshchagin “Officer of a line battalion in a white jacket and red trousers”
Alexander II introduced tunics and linen shirts for wearing in hot weather, and Alexander III made sure that the soldier’s uniform resembled peasant clothing. In 1879, a tunic with a stand-up collar, like a blouse shirt, was introduced for soldiers.
The era of Nicholas II
G. Manizer “Portrait of Emperor Nicholas II in the uniform of the 4th Rifle Imperial Family Life Guards Regiment with the badge of the Order of St. Vladimir, IV degree”
Emperor Nicholas II almost did not change the uniform. The uniforms of the guards cavalry regiments of the era of Alexander II were only gradually restored. The officers of the entire army were given a galloon (instead of the simple leather one introduced by Alexander III) shoulder harness.
A. Pershakov “Portrait of P.S. Vannovsky" (sword belt visible)
For the troops of the southern districts, the ceremonial headdress was considered too heavy and was replaced by an ordinary cap, to which a small metal coat of arms is attached.
The most significant changes followed only in the army cavalry. At the beginning of the reign of Nicholas II, the modest uniform without buttons was replaced by a more beautiful double-breasted uniform, sewn at the waist and with colored piping along the side. A shako was introduced for the guards regiments.
In each cavalry division, the regiments are given the same colors: the first is red, the second is blue, and the third is white. The old colors remained only in those regiments for which some historical memory was associated with their color.
Ceremonial cap of the era of Nicholas II
The caps were also changed: not the bands, but the crowns, were made colored so that the color of the regiment was visible at a great distance, and all lower ranks were given visors.
In 1907, following the results of the Russo-Japanese War, a single-breasted khaki jacket with a stand-up collar with hooks, a five-button fastener, and pockets on the chest and sides (the so-called “American” cut) was introduced into the Russian army as a summer uniform. . The white jacket of the previous type has fallen out of use.
Jacket of the Russian army of the era of Nicholas II
On the eve of the war, aviation adopted a blue jacket as working clothing.
Russian military uniforms have a rich history. Over the past eras and centuries, its appearance has changed greatly. Modern requirements for military clothing are its functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Psychology and history of uniforms
Every person has to wear a uniform more than once in their life. Everyone’s attitude towards this phenomenon is different, just as its social meaning and perception by many people differ. The main purpose of wearing any uniform is to show that a person belongs to a certain type of activity or social class.
Since ancient times, wearing certain clothes has determined a person's social status: better furs and fabrics are a sign of higher status in society. The very first military uniform in human history was the scarlet cloak worn by the Spartan warriors in Ancient Greece. Later, chain mail and coat of arms insignia on shields and flags became a distinctive attribute of the military.
Then uniforms began to appear not only as belonging to military personnel, but also clothing for schoolchildren and factory workers. In the Russian Empire, the first school uniform appeared in 1834 and became a source of pride for gymnasium students.
Wearing a military uniform embodies the idea of control and carries coded information about a person. A military man wearing a uniform is subject to certain rules, compliance with which is clearly defined by the regulations. This imposes some obligations and imprint on the personality, determines the rules of his behavior. Deviations from them are associated with disobedience and even sabotage, with the manifestation of individuality. Thus, wearing any uniform has a dual meaning on the person who wears it.
Wearing military uniforms and standard uniforms has a disciplinary effect on people and helps to influence the mind and body, since it presupposes the formation of a certain physique and military bearing. However, it also necessitates subordination, the transformation of the individual strength of one person into the collective power of an army. Military uniform is also an ideological tool, a means of shaping physical and mental activity.
History of Russian military clothing
In Ancient Rus' there was practically no uniform for the military, since there were no permanent troops. Until the 17th century, each prince had at his disposal a squad, which was dressed in the usual clothes of that time. However, during an attack or defense of the city, its representatives wore protective armor on top.
The first attempt to create the same military uniform (clothing) was made during the formation of the Streltsy regiments in the 17th century. Then red caftans appeared, more than once painted by Russian artists in works of art (“Streltsy” by S. Ivanov and others). Such clothing was called a colored dress, and its color meant belonging to different regiments. There was also a ceremonial uniform that the archers wore during church holidays: it was supplemented with good-quality boots and a fur hat.
Army of Peter I
Peter I re-equipped his army immediately after rearmament. The Russian army has already arrived at the walls of the Azov fortress in new shortened caftans. The German uniform became the model for the infantrymen's clothing: Peter's guards were dressed in a dark green cloth caftan, decorated with red cuffs with 4 copper buttons. A scarlet shoulder strap was attached to the left shoulder, onto which the sling of a bag with cartridges was hung. Underneath they wore a vesta camisole, which was fastened with small buttons, and even lower was a white shirt. Pants were made from good cloth, and for cavalrymen - from elk skin, knee-length. Below they wore stockings and blunt-toed shoes. For the hike, they were given boots, and in bad weather, a raincoat with a double collar.
The army and guards units differed in the color of their uniforms: the Semyonovtsy wore red and blue, the Preobrazhentsy wore red and green. Bow ties were also sewn for officers, which were tied around the neck, with the ends hanging down to the chest. the colors differed for different ranks and branches of the military.
The uniform of the officers was distinguished by a richer decor: embroidered gold braid on the cocked hat and caftan, silk multi-colored scarves with tassels (the colors of the Russian flag) and others. However, it was distinguished by its narrow cut and inconvenience when wearing.
Uniform in the army of Catherine and other Russian tsars
During Catherine's reign, Prince Potemkin first raised the question of convenience for soldiers and officers when wearing military uniforms. The tradition of wearing wigs was abolished, and uniforms were replaced with more practical and wide ones; trousers began to be tucked into boots. Soldiers wore helmets on their heads to protect them from saber strikes.
With Paul coming to power, the uncomfortable uniform returned to the army, as did the wearing of wigs and uncomfortable patent leather shoes (which chafed their feet). Moreover, for non-compliance with this form, people could be exiled to Siberia.
Under Alexander II, Russian military uniforms were restored to their aesthetic appearance and comfort. The more spacious cut made it possible to wear warm underwear, which was a salvation for soldiers in the cold winter months. Military overcoats were introduced into use, with a warm cap on top. The cut was chosen to be simpler, so in appearance the Russian military uniform began to resemble peasant clothing. Its production was cheaper, and in order to save money, the king issued a decree that money for uniforms was deducted from the salaries of soldiers and officers.
At the beginning of the 20th century, after the Russo-Japanese War, single-breasted tunics with a stand-up collar were introduced into the uniform set of the Russian military; the color chosen was protective green, the fastener was made with 5 buttons, and pockets were added. Having become popular, this style was called “French” in honor of the British general.
Form after the revolution
After 1917, during the Civil War, the uniform of the Red Army was not unified: the only distinctive feature was a scarlet ribbon with the inscription “Red Guard”, which was worn on a sleeve or hat. In 1918, an original cloth headdress appeared, which was later called “Budenovka” (at first it was called “heroka”). Shoulder straps were abolished, replaced by distinctive squares and triangles that could be used to identify rank and troops.
The wearing of the emblem in the form of a red star was approved in May 1918, which became a symbol of the young state. It was worn on an overcoat, jacket, tunic, etc.
In 1922, the Revolutionary Military Council issued a decree on the transition to new regulated uniforms, and the old uniform was canceled. Much attention was paid to insignia, which were sewn onto the sleeve flap, buttonholes and other forms. They differed in color, shape, etc. The basic uniform consisted of a cloth overcoat and helmet, a tunic shirt, riding breeches, boots or boots. The cloth used was dark gray made of wool, the shirt was gray made of dyed cotton fabric.
Red Army uniform
In 1924, the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army (RKKA) introduced another military uniform, consisting of a tunic with a turn-down collar and pockets, an overcoat, breeches, boots or boots. Instead of a helmet, a khaki cap with a red star was invented. For winter they used short fur coats, jackets made of merino cloth with cotton wool, coats, raincoats, caps and bekeshi (short coat made of sheepskin).
Separately, uniforms were designed for air force troops and pilots. They differed in the color of the cloth, insignia, buttonholes and sleeve insignia. In 1926, Rules for wearing uniforms were introduced and dividing them into summer and winter. In addition, depending on the situation, military uniforms were divided into everyday, guard and marching. The constant wearing of equipment and insignia became a categorical requirement. Camping equipment included: a commander's belt with a buckle, a holster with a pistol, a saber, a field bag, to which a flask, a gas mask, and binoculars were added during the campaign.
For different types of troops, uniforms could differ: for tanks, overalls and leather jackets, helmets, and dust goggles were invented.
At the end of the 1930s and in 1940, the participation of the Red Army in military conflicts also influenced the revision of attitudes towards uniforms. New elements of the winter uniform have appeared: a steel helmet, a hat with ear flaps with fur. Changes were made to the details of the uniform for generals and marshals, new emblems and cap badges appeared on caps separately for each branch of the military, and spurs were added to boots. A warm overcoat with 5 buttons was required.
The next changes to the wartime uniform were introduced in 1943, when the turning point in the Great Patriotic War came: the “Budenovka” was abolished, shoulder straps were revived, black and red colors were returned for artillerymen, new uniforms were installed for the Cossacks, and the dress uniform was updated.
Army uniforms during peacetime
With the end of the war, a period of calm began; no radical changes were made in clothing for the troops. New equipment appeared in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when a jacket was introduced instead of a tunic. During the period of hostilities in Afghanistan, unified field suits (for summer and winter) were produced, called “Afaganka”.
More changes occurred after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the formation of the Russian Federation. In May 1994, President B. Yeltsin signed a Decree on the introduction of military uniforms of the Russian Federation, according to which Soviet uniforms were completely replaced with new ones. Since then, olive has been considered the main color (for everyday and formal wear). Winter coats replaced overcoats, and tunics were replaced by jackets with patch pockets. Other distinctive signs were also approved: chevrons and stripes, which distinguished the types of troops and units.
21st century - uniforms of Russian troops
In 2005, by presidential decree, V. Putin introduced some innovations into the military uniform of the Russian Federation: hats were introduced for the winter version of equipment. In accordance with this Decree, the wearing of uniforms by people not related to military personnel was prohibited.
Over the last 10 years, changes have been introduced to the complete set of military clothing: an office suit for officers and generals, an updated field uniform for soldiers and officers. The set includes: a suit, varieties of seasonal jackets, a protective vest, a hat or beret, boots for different seasons, a balaclava, mittens and gloves.
In 2007, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation was entrusted with the development of a new military uniform for Russia. Specialists from the Central Research Institute of the Garment Industry, fashion designers V. Yudashkin and I. Chapurin and others were involved in the work. The uniform was ready by 2010 and contained some innovations:
- shoulder straps have been moved to the sleeves and chest;
- Velcro elements appeared;
- the shape of the overcoats has become more fitted and narrow;
- boots with foot wraps and long johns with ties have been cancelled;
- sweaters were sewn for officers, etc.
However, not all samples of military uniforms passed field tests, and therefore some fabrics and insulation were replaced, changes were made in parts and accessories.
Advantages of the new uniform of the Russian Army
Modern field uniforms for soldiers and officers are highly comfortable due to multi-layering (8 levels). In its production, membrane materials and other latest technologies are used, and special treatment of the seams is done. The kit contains a large number of items that are used depending on weather conditions and surroundings.
Basic levels of military uniform, rules for its configuration:
- 2 types of underwear (underwear and fleece for thermal insulation during the cold period);
- jackets (levels 3-4) - fleece for insulation and a windbreaker for cool weather;
- Soft Shell suit (5th), made of waterproof and windproof fabric with increased breathability, used as protective outerwear;
- windproof suit (6th), made of membrane material with “breathable” properties with numerous fasteners and zippers;
- insulated suit (level 7) - designed to protect against extreme cold conditions;
- a summer field suit made of cotton is worn in the outer layer in the summer;
- The period of wearing a military field uniform issued to military personnel is 3 years.
In 2016, 4 thousand sets were sewn for military personnel who serve in difficult northern conditions and in the Arctic. Such equipment is designed to protect a person from prolonged exposure to cold in strong winds and high humidity, during rain or snow.
Children's military uniform
The uniforms are worn not only by members of the Russian Army, but also by students of cadet corps, Nakhimov and Suvorov schools located on the territory of the Russian Federation. In these educational institutions, boys and girls who have chosen a military profession live and study for several years, so that they can then continue to serve and join the ranks of career officers of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. During their studies, they wear children's military uniforms, tailored specifically for this educational institution.
Wearing the uniforms of modern army personnel and the uniforms of soldiers from the Great Patriotic War has become popular among children and their parents in recent years. Stylized costumes for boys and girls are one of the popular attributes of children's matinees, which are held in honor of the celebration of February 23 and May 9, and plays about the war in schools.
On sale you can find historical and modern military suits, sewn according to uniforms of officers and soldiers of the Russian Federation, pilots and sailors, policemen and paratroopers, uniforms from the times of the Great Patriotic War. There are also separate accessories: budenovka, camouflage or red beret, army belt, cap and cap, binoculars.
By choosing a beautiful military uniform for children, parents raise them to be defenders of their state, instill in them a sense of patriotism and love for their country. The boys transform into brave officers and soldiers, ready to defend their homeland, as their great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers once did.