19 unmatched shoulder straps of the Russian Imperial Army

19 unmatched epaulettes of the Russian Imperial Army (RIA)

A collection of 19 unmatched shoulder straps from the Russian Imperial Army (RIA). 20th century. These epaulettes come from various branches, covering all ranks from enlisted men to officers. Most are reversible, featuring a field color on the reverse side that becomes visible when properly turned inside out.

Upper row (1-5)

1. Yellow shoulder board with blue piping (field backing)
Branch: Cavalry (Dragoon or Uhlan units)
Rank: Private
Description: The front side is yellow with blue piping, a characteristic color for Dragoon and Uhlan units. The reverse side is field-colored, indicating a campaign version of the shoulder board.

2. Gray field shoulder board with red backing
Branch: Infantry
Rank: Private
Description: The front side is gray, matching field uniforms for campaign use. The reverse side is red, characteristic of infantry units. Used on field uniforms during World War I (1914-1917).

3. Dark blue shoulder board (field backing) – Engineer troops
Branch: Engineer troops (sappers, bridge, and mine units)
Rank: Private
Description: The front side is dark blue, typical for engineering and sapper units. The reverse side is field-colored, indicating usage on campaign uniforms.

4. Yellow shoulder board (without piping, field backing)
Branch: Cavalry or Artillery
Rank: Private
Description: The yellow color was common in cavalry (Uhlans, Dragoons) and sometimes in artillery. The reverse side is field-colored, indicating a campaign variant.

5. Orange (Uhlan) shoulder board with transverse braid (field backing)
Branch: Cavalry (Uhlan units)
Rank: Lance Corporal
Description: The orange color is typical for Uhlan units of the Russian Empire. The transverse braid denotes the rank of lance corporal. The reverse side is field-colored, indicating combat (campaign) use.

Middle row (6-12)

6. Blue shoulder board with red piping (field backing)
Branch: Cavalry or Gendarmerie
Rank: Private
Description: The blue background with red piping was used in cavalry units or the Gendarmerie. The reverse side is field-colored, indicating a campaign uniform variant.

7. Officer's shoulder board with the number "54"
Regiment: 54th Minsk Infantry Regiment
Rank: Senior officer (Lieutenant Colonel or Colonel)
Description: Two gold longitudinal stripes indicate an officer's shoulder board. The number "54" identifies the 54th Minsk Infantry Regiment. The backing is lost, leaving only the base of the shoulder board. Despite this, its historical and collectible value remains intact.

8. Crimson shoulder board with dark blue piping (partially damaged piping)
Branch: Guard Cavalry
Rank: Private
Description: The crimson color was traditionally used in the Guard Cavalry of the Russian Empire. The dark blue piping is partially damaged (moth-eaten). The backing is dark blue, confirming its Guard affiliation.

9. Black shoulder board with black backing (possible naval variant)
Branch: Artillery, Engineer troops, possibly Marine Infantry
Rank: Private
Description: The black background was used in artillery, fortress troops, marine infantry, or sapper units. The reverse side is also black, confirming its association with these branches.

Lower row (13-19)

13. Red shoulder board with gold piping
Branch: Infantry, possibly Guard
Rank: Cadet

14. Red shoulder board with three transverse stripes (field backing)
Branch: Infantry
Rank: Senior Non-Commissioned Officer

15. Dark blue shoulder board (field backing, no insignia)
Branch: Gendarmerie, Dragoons, or Engineer units
Rank: Private

16. Red shoulder board with dark blue piping, black backing
Branch: Infantry or Engineer units
Rank: Private

17. Dark blue shoulder board with red piping, field backing
Branch: Gendarmerie, possibly Cavalry
Rank: Private

18. Shoulder board with white braid for Cavalry and Engineer units
Branch: Cavalry, Engineer troops
Rank: Cadet

19. Blue shoulder board without piping, field backing
Branch: Gendarmerie, Engineer units
Rank: Private

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