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Equipment Don Cossacks, Summer 1914

Discussion in 'Imperial Russian Empire' started by Martin Antonenko, Jun 19, 2017.

  1. Martin Antonenko A Fixture

    Country:
    Germany
    For a new bust, which my friend Heinz from Austria just sculpts for me, it was necessary to research the complete uniform and all the equipment parts with which Don Kosak went into the first world war in the summer of 1914 ...:

    Furashka (Cap)...:

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    Cockade for NCO's...:

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    billyturnip likes this.
  2. Martin Antonenko A Fixture

    Country:
    Germany
    Gymnastiorka (Field Blouse) M 1911

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    NCO's and Officers had two breast pockets, enlisted men none.


    Buttons:

    From metal with embossed state coat of arms (double eagle)...:

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    Number of buttons:

    One on each shoulder (to attach the shoulder pieces)

    Two at the cuff collar

    Two or three (there were both!) On the button board

    Two on each cuff.
    billyturnip likes this.
  3. Martin Antonenko A Fixture

    Country:
    Germany
    Pogony (Shoulder boards):

    Here the version of an NCO of the 4th Don Regiment...:

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    Pogony of Officers loooked different!

    The "4. д." means "4. D.", 4th Don Regiment.



    billyturnip likes this.
  4. Martin Antonenko A Fixture

    Country:
    Germany
    Belt:

    Usually Cossacks wore a simple leather belt with thorn and buckle ...:

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    This belt was much narrower than a German military belt, and was only about 2/3 of its width. A standard belt like this carries the Cossack on the right ...:

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    A few had wider belts, either beuti pieces or private possessions, which could then also have a brass buckle with embossed state coat of arms. The Cossack on the left carries a part like this.

    If a coupling lock was present, it looked like this:


    [IMG]

    billyturnip likes this.
  5. Martin Antonenko A Fixture

    Country:
    Germany
    Mosin Nagant Rifle für Dragoons and Cossacks M 1891

    This Cavalry Rifle was shorter than the Rifle for the infantry!

    Lengh over all: 1234 mm

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    The rifle straps had no separate eyelets, but were inserted through metal-studded holes in shaft and piston! This did not push the wearer on horseback!

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    In the entire cavalry of the imperial-Russian army the rifle was carried over the left shoulder! The only exception: the Cossacks carried the weapon over the right shoulder ...:

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    billyturnip and winfield like this.
  6. Martin Antonenko A Fixture

    Country:
    Germany
    Ammo Pouch M 1914:

    Hanging over the left shoulder, Cossacks carried a leather patron bag with four chambers, which was worn on the right side of the breast...:

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    billyturnip likes this.
  7. Martin Antonenko A Fixture

    Country:
    Germany
    Shaska Sabre M 1881

    Length over all: 98 cm

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    On the "eagle's eye" at the top of the handle was attached a leather snare with a tassel, by which in the fight the hand was put to secure the weapon ...:

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    Saber Belt:

    The Shaska (here a later model on the WW2) was worn on a thin (slightly more than a finger thick) leather strap over the right shoulder ...:

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    The lower part of the belt looked like this...:

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    One of the straps was hooked into the loop just below the handle, the other into the metal ring on the scabbard.

    Note: In the imperial Russian army, the saber was always worn in the opposite direction to the western type of wear.
    billyturnip likes this.
  8. Martin Antonenko A Fixture

    Country:
    Germany
    Lance:

    Length over all: 3,30 meters

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    Only the Cossacks of the first Sotnia (the first ones while charging) were equipped with lances!
    billyturnip likes this.
  9. Martin Antonenko A Fixture

    Country:
    Germany
    Trousers...:

    The pants of the Doncossacks were blue - with the traditional wide red stripe on the outer seams...:

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    The waistband of the trousers was very wide and protected - similar to a modern motorcycle kidney belt - the cold-sensitive kidneys!

    The pants could be worn either with or without hosier ...:

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    Boots:

    The riding boots of the Cossacks were black much shorter than our boots here!

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    As a Cossack spent his life in the saddle so to speak, they were made of extremely soft leather. To get even softer, it was customary to use an old "home remedy":

    Leave the boots for a night up to the top with horsepiss. The next morning the leather is really soft!

    Officers had of course much better worked boots, their shafts were also longer ...:
    [IMG]
    billyturnip likes this.
  10. Martin Antonenko A Fixture

    Country:
    Germany
    Nagaika Whip:

    The Nagaika consisted at the time of a leather-wrapped piece of wood with a handle at the upper end, to which a sling was attached, with which the whip was worn on the wrist...:

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    At the bottom, fastened with a flexible hinge, the whip cord braided from leather straps closed, which ended in a small pocket.

    It was widely common to sew a (or even several) bullets into this bag, which made the Nagaika also a dangerous weapon ...:


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    billyturnip and winfield like this.
  11. Martin Antonenko A Fixture

    Country:
    Germany
    Bridle:

    In 1914, the Cossacks rode with a normal bridle, with chin straps, throat straps, a simple cheek strap - but also a so-called "holder strap".

    This holder was also attached to the collar ring - either on one side or on both rings with belt spreader and around the saddle horn or on the right side around the stirrup belt ...:


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    billyturnip and winfield like this.
  12. Martin Antonenko A Fixture

    Country:
    Germany
    Saddle:

    The Cossack saddle was the personal property of the respective rider, which is why I can not name exact measurements. It consisted of a leather-covered wooden frame, on which a leather pillow filled with straw was attached ...:

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    The wooden frame had front and rear leather covered saddle horns.

    There was only one saddle strap!

    In the field, usually two leather pockets, as well as a rumored blanket (or a pack of bags) and the rolled up coat were strapped open at the back of the saddle ...:


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    billyturnip and winfield like this.
  13. Martin Antonenko A Fixture

    Country:
    Germany
    Size between Russian and German shoulder straps in 1914 ...:

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    billyturnip and valiant like this.
  14. Martin Antonenko A Fixture

    Country:
    Germany
    Greatcoat (Shinel), M 1909


    Packed on saddle...:

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    Shinel for Troopers:

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    Shinel Officers:

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    Difference concerning quality, color and length between offivers and troopers:

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    Rank distinctions and collar patches officers and troopers of 4th Don Cossack Regiment...:

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    billyturnip and Dan Morton like this.
  15. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Martin

    That's incredible research and so useful .

    Thanks for sharing all

    Nap
    Dan Morton and Martin Rohmann like this.
  16. Dan Morton A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Excellent documentation! I'm sure this will be useful to many! Thanks!

    All the best,
    Dan
    Martin Rohmann likes this.

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