Shoulder straps of the RIA Infantry ensign during the First World War

Extremely rare shoulder straps in very good collector's condition. Before 1863, the civil ranks of the Military and The staff of the ministries did not have rank insignia and differed only in the sewing on the dress uniform, which, in turn, depended not on the rank, but on the position. In 1863, in order to strengthen discipline and respect for civil officials who served in Military or The maritime ministries and in the places under their jurisdiction, galloon shoulder straps were assigned, similar to the officer's pattern, but much smaller in width – 28 mm (compared to 67 mm for officers and generals). The braid of the shoulder straps was silver, the edge and hem were red. Ranks were indicated by asterisks, the same as those of officers, but arranged in a line along the shoulder strap. Unlike officers, the stars on such shoulder straps were the same color as the braid (silver on silver). A shoulder strap made of narrow braid of the general's weave with two stars denoted the rank of a full state councilor (IV class according to the Table of Ranks). Shoulder straps of military and civil servants The naval ministries of the 1863 model differed only in the stamping of buttons. This pattern of shoulder straps existed until 1875 and was no longer used in the Russian army. Guarantee of authenticity.