WW1 Shoulder straps and patches Russian Imperial Army

The shoulder straps and patches worn by the Russian Imperial Army during World War I were important for identifying rank, branch of service, and regimental affiliation. Here’s an overview of their design and function:

Shoulder Straps (Epaulets)

Shoulder straps (called epaulettes in French) were used to indicate a soldier's rank and were worn on both sides of the uniform. They played a key role in distinguishing officers from enlisted men.

For Enlisted Soldiers:

Design: The shoulder straps were usually plain and simple for enlisted men, typically made of fabric matching the color of the uniform (green or khaki for infantry, for example). The straps had a metallic button or plate with an insignia, such as an eagle or a crown.
Branch Identification: The piping (the colored stripe running along the edge of the shoulder strap) was used to denote the branch of service. For instance:
- Red piping for artillery.
- Yellow piping for infantry.
- Blue piping for cavalry.

For Officers:

Design: Officers had more elaborate shoulder straps, often adorned with gold or silver cords, braiding, and additional insignia.
Rank Insignia: The epaulette’s design was more detailed, with the use of stars, crowns, or other symbols to indicate the officer's rank. Higher-ranking officers wore shoulder straps with more gold or silver decorations.
Branch Identification: Officers' epaulettes often featured the same piping colors as enlisted soldiers to denote their branch, but with more distinction through additional ornamentation and cords.

Shoulder Strap Decorations:

Stars and Pips: Higher ranks (such as lieutenant, captain, colonel, or general) often had one or more stars or “pips” on their shoulder straps, depending on their specific rank. Generals might have multiple large stars or additional symbols like crowns.
Brass Elements: Epaulettes for higher ranks were also often more ornate, with brass or gold elements, such as decorative braids and embroidery.

Rank Patches (Rank Insignia on Tunics)

Along with the shoulder straps, Russian officers and soldiers also wore patches or insignia on their uniforms to indicate rank, though these varied depending on the branch and rank:

Enlisted Men: They typically did not wear much in the way of visible rank patches beyond the shoulder straps. In some cases, they might have small collar patches or insignia.
Officers: Officers often had small patches or embroidered insignia on their tunics, particularly on the collar or sleeves. The patches might depict rank, branch of service, or other distinguishing marks like the imperial eagle or a crown.

Colors and Symbols:

Infantry: Often had shoulder straps with yellow piping, and the insignia would often feature a brass button with the Russian imperial eagle.
Artillery: Red piping was common for artillery units, with the shoulder strap having additional metallic detailing or a button with the crown or imperial eagle.
Cavalry: Blue piping denoted cavalry units. Their shoulder straps might also feature a more elaborate design, with additional decoration for the officers.

Special Uniforms:

Guard Units: Elite regiments like the Imperial Guard had more elaborate epaulets with additional gold or silver detailing to signify their prestigious status.
Cossacks: Cossack soldiers had a distinctive design in terms of shoulder straps, with their epaulettes often being simpler but distinguished by different piping colors and additional symbols, such as the Cossack star or crossed sabers.