Swedish Infantry uniform m/ 1886 type I

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I thought I would share with you some of my Swedish uniforms. Let's start with an older 19th century uniform for the Infantry.

 

  

Model Ä

When the Swedish army introduced a common uniform for all branches by the m/ 1906, the older uniforms, which varied in appearance between branches, were called m/ Ä (for Äldre/Elder). However, these continued to be used after the introduction of m/ 1906. Enlisted men used m/Ä in parallel or mixed with newer models. Depending on limited funding older uniforms were used before issuing the newer models. By the start of World War II most of the older models were replaced by the m/ 39. Officers used m/ Ä even longer, until the 1940s and 1950s, and they were permitted to be used until April 1, 1966. Therefore, it is not uncommon to find m/ Ä uniforms from the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. Officers normally used a tailor to sew their uniform and they were therefore normally marked with name and date. Enlisted men’s uniforms were government issue and were not always dated. You can also find many later photos where officers use m/ Ä, especially in more formal contexts as these were thought to be considerably more stylish than the more discreet camouflage grey uniforms m/ 10, m/ 23 and m/ 39.

 

Model 1886 type I for the infantry

With the uniform m/ 1886, a common uniform for the infantry was introduced. The model was available in two types, where type I was used by the standard infantry regiments (landscape regiments) and type II was used by enlisted units such as the life- and grenadier regiments as well as the fortification (later engineers). The uniform m/ 1886 type I consisted of a dark blue woolen coat with yellow lining and a row of 8 gold-colored buttons of the regimental type. The stand-up collar has two stylized buttonholes without buttons and the sleeve cuffs each have two stylized vertical buttonholes with buttons. On the back there are two skirts with three buttons each. Along the collar and on the front of the coat runs a yellow piping.

The straight trousers were in the same dark blue woolen fabric as the coat. Along the trouser leg there was a narrow piping. For the uniform m/ 1886, the cap m/ 1865-99 was used, a tall, straight cap with a short brim.

 

The uniform in the picture

The uniform in the picture is for an officer (lieutenant) belonging to the Halland Regiment, I16, based in Halmstad. The regiment is identified by the buttons on the coat and cap. Rank insignia are found as two stars on the shoulder straps and in the form of two narrow braids on the cap. The cap in the picture however, has three stripes which corresponds to the rank of captain, unfortunately I don't have a cap with the rank of lieutenant. Otherwise they look the same. Neither the coat nor the trousers have either name or date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is an original photo of soldiers from I16 in Halmstad wearing the m/ 1886 type I. Note that the man in the middle wears a m/ 1886 type II.

 

 

References

1. Swedish Army Uniforms 1875-2000, Simon Olsson, Medströms Book Publishers, 2011
2. Wikipedia, https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svenska_militära_uniformer
3. Militaria, Hans Högman, www.hhogman.se/militaria.htm

 

 

[ScottG]

Great write up and uniform, I really like seeing the uniforms of so many of these countries, it is interesting to see the heraldry as well as the utility in them. Thanks for sharing and educating many of us on a topic we seldom see.   Scott