Russian Conquest of Central Asia 1860's-1880's

[marco55]

Of course, Russian senior officers did not use a full dress uniform on a campaign. These images will give you an idea of the Russian officer uniform on the campaign:






Only figures in red pants belong to the Central Asian campaigns







A very noticeable mistake of the sculptor is the officer's double-breasted uniform (two vertical rows of buttons on the chest). The uniform on the chest deeply overlaps one part on the other (two layers of fabric are obtained, one above the other). The junction of the uniform cannot spread like that in different directions, leaving a gap.
I don't know if I was able to make my point clearly.

No awards are worn on a campaign. Award weapons can be used.

Are you saying it should be 2 rows of buttons?
Mark

[marco55]

Of course, Russian senior officers did not use a full dress uniform on a campaign. These images will give you an idea of the Russian officer uniform on the campaign:

Even senior officers like Slobelev and Kaufmann?
Mark

[italwars]

Very nice picts...and i think the figures are absolutly fine
don't want to hijack the thread but my thoughts are also appropriate to the topic.
It's about the cavaly uniforms that we can see on the two  colour plates depicting a  Russian mounted column with local guides
..i suppose they are cossacks..maybe Don cossacks or similar..i imagine that depicting them in white summer blouse like the infantry should be correct for that theater..but what about the trousers?..from distance we can detect troopers in dark (green?), blue and red trousers of the infantry type..which is historically correct colour for cavalry in Central Asian ?.
Furthemore..some , many, are provided with lances..other not..maybe the Cossack/Cavalry Russian units in Central Asia were organised similarly to some western European ones with first rank (or a single squadron por reg.) with lances and the other only sword and carbine?..the beautiful 28mm Outpost cossacks for the Russo-Turkish War  are provided in both versions...maybe such experts like our Russian friend Cuprum could hep us?
thanks in advance

[cuprum]

Trousers for cavalrymen and officers are green. But this fabric gave a blue tint in the sun and could, under certain lighting conditions, appear blue. Blue is color distortion.

It must be understood that the Russian field army almost did not participate in these campaigns (with the rare exception of two battalions seconded from the Caucasian army during one of the campaigns and some special units, such as a naval battery of mitrailleuses). Local (internal) troops were always used - line and rifle battalions. These are troops that usually carry out security and guard duty in a certain area. The cavalry consisted exclusively of Cossacks (irregular formations). Artillery was mostly Cossack or garrison artillery. The vast majority of the Cossacks were from the Orenburg and Siberian troops (districts). Three regiments of the Kuban Cossack army took part in some campaigns. Line infantry battalions were also from the Orenburg and Siberian districts (territories of Russia bordering the Central Asian states).
For actions in Central Asia, a special white uniform was developed. It was based on a white linen soldier's gymnastic shirt (originally used for sports), replacing the usual uniform unsuitable for a hot climate. Initially, the same white trousers were made for her, but they were quickly replaced with local trousers made of red suede leather. These trousers were well protected from snake bites and poisonous insects. White covers were put on headdresses, later they were generally made of white fabric. On cold nights, soldiers wore over an ordinary overcoat, which was busy in the wagon train during the day.
Officers, both in the cavalry and in the infantry, wore a white linen tunic, a cap with a white cover. Pants are green. But often, on their own initiative, officers could wear a soldier's shirt with officer epaulettes and red leather pants. This is more convenient and does not attract excessive attention of the enemy.
The Cossacks are an irregular army. They are uniformed at their own expense according to the samples prescribed by them. Therefore, quite large liberties are allowed in their uniforms.
The distinguishing feature of the Siberian Cossacks was gazyri on the chest (special “bandoliers” sewn on shirts). The Orenburg Cossacks had a blue undershirt, the Siberian Cossacks had a green one. Pants could be either uniform (green with stripes), or white or red leather.


Orenburg Cossacks in Central Asia 1860 - 1870. Officer and Cossack.


Orenburg Cossack in cold weather.


Siberian Cossack

According to the recollections of eyewitnesses, the Cossacks sought to get rid of their lances at the first opportunity. But, probably, the Cossacks from the generals' personal escort could continue to use them - apparently for a spectacular look.

[marco55]

Trousers for cavalrymen and officers are green. But this fabric gave a blue tint in the sun and could, under certain lighting conditions, appear blue. Blue is color distortion.

It must be understood that the Russian field army almost did not participate in these campaigns (with the rare exception of two battalions seconded from the Caucasian army during one of the campaigns and some special units, such as a naval battery of mitrailleuses). Local (internal) troops were always used - line and rifle battalions. These are troops that usually carry out security and guard duty in a certain area. The cavalry consisted exclusively of Cossacks (irregular formations). Artillery was mostly Cossack or garrison artillery. The vast majority of the Cossacks were from the Orenburg and Siberian troops (districts). Three regiments of the Kuban Cossack army took part in some campaigns. Line infantry battalions were also from the Orenburg and Siberian districts (territories of Russia bordering the Central Asian states).
For actions in Central Asia, a special white uniform was developed. It was based on a white linen soldier's gymnastic shirt (originally used for sports), replacing the usual uniform unsuitable for a hot climate. Initially, the same white trousers were made for her, but they were quickly replaced with local trousers made of red suede leather. These trousers were well protected from snake bites and poisonous insects. White covers were put on headdresses, later they were generally made of white fabric. On cold nights, soldiers wore over an ordinary overcoat, which was busy in the wagon train during the day.
Officers, both in the cavalry and in the infantry, wore a white linen tunic, a cap with a white cover. Pants are green. But often, on their own initiative, officers could wear a soldier's shirt with officer epaulettes and red leather pants. This is more convenient and does not attract excessive attention of the enemy.
The Cossacks are an irregular army. They are uniformed at their own expense according to the samples prescribed by them. Therefore, quite large liberties are allowed in their uniforms.
The distinguishing feature of the Siberian Cossacks was gazyri on the chest (special “bandoliers” sewn on shirts). The Orenburg Cossacks had a blue undershirt, the Siberian Cossacks had a green one. Pants could be either uniform (green with stripes), or white or red leather.


Orenburg Cossacks in Central Asia 1860 - 1870. Officer and Cossack.


Orenburg Cossack in cold weather.


Siberian Cossack

According to the recollections of eyewitnesses, the Cossacks sought to get rid of their lances at the first opportunity. But, probably, the Cossacks from the generals' personal escort could continue to use them - apparently for a spectacular look.

Thank you for all the info you have supplied.
Mark

[cuprum]

Always happy to help.
I forgot to mention - soldiers from the line battalions of the Oreburg province wore blue shoulder straps with a battalion number, from Siberia - red shoulder straps.

[italwars]

Thanks very much...as always very kind to help us and a great source of infos
happy that, according to your excellent  infos, i'll be able to diferentiate my cavalry from infantry unifom as concern trousers and that i'll not be forced to equip all my mounted men with lance...which, i don't know why, but  i find out of place in my colonial games

[cuprum]

It's just a game and toy soldiers 
You can create and use whatever you want in your game.
I'm just sharing information about what really happened - I think it's just interesting 

[italwars]

Yes of course it's just a game...but wargamers are sort of nerds (i'm talking about mysel of course    with the obsession of historically accuracy or , to be honest, the illusion to reach  it 

[marco55]

It's just a game and toy soldiers 
You can create and use whatever you want in your game.
I'm just sharing information about what really happened - I think it's just interesting 

Part of the fun for me is trying to find info in English. There is so much out there but not in English.Most people don't even know that other countries besides Britain and the US had these colonial wars.
Mark

[marco55]

This is going to be the final rendition of Skobelev. I know the clothes are a more than what they probably wore on campaign but I just wanted to show senior officers dressed a little better.
Mark

[marco55]

Trousers for cavalrymen and officers are green. But this fabric gave a blue tint in the sun and could, under certain lighting conditions, appear blue. Blue is color distortion.

It must be understood that the Russian field army almost did not participate in these campaigns (with the rare exception of two battalions seconded from the Caucasian army during one of the campaigns and some special units, such as a naval battery of mitrailleuses). Local (internal) troops were always used - line and rifle battalions. These are troops that usually carry out security and guard duty in a certain area. The cavalry consisted exclusively of Cossacks (irregular formations). Artillery was mostly Cossack or garrison artillery. The vast majority of the Cossacks were from the Orenburg and Siberian troops (districts). Three regiments of the Kuban Cossack army took part in some campaigns. Line infantry battalions were also from the Orenburg and Siberian districts (territories of Russia bordering the Central Asian states).
For actions in Central Asia, a special white uniform was developed. It was based on a white linen soldier's gymnastic shirt (originally used for sports), replacing the usual uniform unsuitable for a hot climate. Initially, the same white trousers were made for her, but they were quickly replaced with local trousers made of red suede leather. These trousers were well protected from snake bites and poisonous insects. White covers were put on headdresses, later they were generally made of white fabric. On cold nights, soldiers wore over an ordinary overcoat, which was busy in the wagon train during the day.
Officers, both in the cavalry and in the infantry, wore a white linen tunic, a cap with a white cover. Pants are green. But often, on their own initiative, officers could wear a soldier's shirt with officer epaulettes and red leather pants. This is more convenient and does not attract excessive attention of the enemy.
The Cossacks are an irregular army. They are uniformed at their own expense according to the samples prescribed by them. Therefore, quite large liberties are allowed in their uniforms.
The distinguishing feature of the Siberian Cossacks was gazyri on the chest (special “bandoliers” sewn on shirts). The Orenburg Cossacks had a blue undershirt, the Siberian Cossacks had a green one. Pants could be either uniform (green with stripes), or white or red leather.


Orenburg Cossacks in Central Asia 1860 - 1870. Officer and Cossack.


Orenburg Cossack in cold weather.


Siberian Cossack

According to the recollections of eyewitnesses, the Cossacks sought to get rid of their lances at the first opportunity. But, probably, the Cossacks from the generals' personal escort could continue to use them - apparently for a spectacular look.

Cuprum,
Since I decided to go for a more formal uniform for Kaufman and Skobelev what color would they be?
Mark

[cuprum]

Sorry I didn't see your question earlier.
In this case, it will be the usual general general uniform, approximately the same (I mean the color of the uniform - mind you, it's actually a dark green color, gray-blue trousers with red stripes) as during the Russian-Turkish war.

[marco55]

Thanks. You always come through for me.
Mark

[Acatiaant]

I have Mollo's book on Imperial Russian Army Uniforms, and was curious if there are any other books or articles that have info on Russian colonial uniforms/dress in Central Asia anyone could recommend...