Uniforms of the Armored Troops

When tanks began to be used in Sweden in the 1920s, there were no specifically designed uniforms for tank crews. At this time, the gray standard uniform was used by the army, uniform m/1910. The three-sided hat m/1910 was mainly worn with this uniform, but the older cap m/1865 (m/1865- 1899) was also still worn. In 1923, a new uniform m/1923 was introduced, which, after the experiences of World War I, offered further field uniformity than m/1910. The archaic three-sided hat was now replaced by the peaked cap m/1923. Uniform m/1923 was never fully introduced. It was mainly the officers who wore the new uniform, which they purchased with their own funds. In 1921, steel helmets were also introduced to protect soldiers. The helmet is designated m/1921. Already in 1926 a new steel helmet was developed and designated m/1926. In the tanks, there was little space, and both the hat m/1910 and the high peaked hats m/1865 and m/1923 were too unwieldy to wear in the tanks. Instead, berets were used by the crews. Furthermore, the work in and around the tanks was quite dirty, with ammunition and not least oil and petrol. This spoiled the uniforms, so they started to wear tank overalls (coveralls) early on. At this time the overalls were mostly gray. Furthermore, the crews were equipped with pistol m/1907 and associated gun holsters. The image to the right shows the gray tank coveralls (overalls) and berets used in the beginning. Image 1929: Armémuseum, ID: AMA.0010784.

Tank cap m/1930 (Stridsvagnsmössa)

The beret was later designated tank cap m/1930. This is the first beret in the Swedish armed forces. The beret was initially blue but the color was later changed to black. The image to the right shows tank cap (beret) m/1930. Image: Armémuseum, ID: AM.005654.

Motor Jacket m/1915 (Motorkavaj)

In cold weather, crews also wore the motor jacket m/1915. The motor jacket, originally designed for MC orderlies, was made of goatskin, double-breasted with five buttons, and had a flap/collar that could be buttoned up at the neck. The image to the right shows motor jacket m/1915. Image 1929: Armémuseum, ID: AM K1_1_Album_104. In 1937, a new helmet is introduced, helmet m/1937. Shortly before the Second World War, a new battle dress uniform was established, uniform m/1939.

Mechanic's Overalls/Tank Overalls m/1943

When the armored troops were formed as a separate branch of the Army in 1942, a much more standardized uniform was introduced. Tank crews are now equipped with tank cap m/1930, fitted with the blue and yellow nationality insignia m/1941 and mechanic's overalls m/1943. Also headphones with throat microphone, pistol m/1907, gaiters m/1939, and boots m/1939. The mechanic's overalls m/1943 (tank overalls) was black (the Army's was otherwise blue). The nationality insignia m/1941 was a round cap badge, roundel, in the Swedish colors yellow and blue. See the image to the right. The image below shows a member of a tank crew wearing tank overalls m/1943 and beret m/1930, circa 1948 - 1949. Image: Arsenalen, ID: ARSF.000138.

Related Links

• Tanks - Home page • Tanks, page-2 • Tanks, page-3 • Tanks, page-4 • Combat Vehicles, page-1 • Uniforms of the Armored Troops • Unit designation listing of the Swedish armored troops • Branch and Unit Insignias of the Swedish Army • Uniforms of the Swedish Army, 1900s • Sweden’s Military Preparedness 1939 - 1945 • Military Images, Sweden, 1939 - 1945 • Swedish Military Aircraft

Source References

1. Svensk PansarHistorisk Förening 2. Pansar by Rickard O. Lindström 3. Arsenalen, militärt fordonsmuseum, Arsenalen is a Tank Museum in Strängnäs, Sweden 4. Armémuseum, Army Museum, Stockholm 5. Wikipedia 6. Digitaltmuseum (Digital Museum) Top of page

Uniform m/1959 including m/1969 P

In 1959, a new field uniform in cotton fabric and the olive green color was introduced, uniform m/1959. There was a variant of the field uniform m/1959 called m/1969P (P=Pansar). This uniform had a different design from the regular m/1959: among other things, it was padded to protect against bumps, blows, and rapid burn-through in case it caught fire, which is a real danger for the crew of an armored vehicle. In the back, just below the neck, there was a lifting loop in a zippered back pocket. This lifting loop would be used to lift injured crew members through the armored vehicle's hatches. The image to the right shows the battledress jacket m/1969 P (Pansar) intended for personnel with tank service. Image: Armémuseum, ID: AM.019191.

Uniform m/1960

For the uniform m/1960, there was also a beret m/1960. The beret was made of felt with a protective leather edge. Before 1960, berets were worn only by the armored troops and, from 1952, by the paratroopers, whose beret was red with the designation beret m/1952. In 1960, more army units were authorized to wear berets. These different units wore berets of different colors. The beret of the armored troops was now dark blue. The image shows the Armored Troop’s dark blue beret m/1960. On the beret is the m/1960 troop insignia of the Armored Troops, an armored arm holding a sword. Image: Armémuseum, ID: AM.030619.

Combat Uniform 90

In the early 1990s, combat uniform 90 was introduced. This was the Swedish Armed Forces' first camouflage-patterned uniform. Combat Uniform 90 also included a specific uniform for armored troops, Combat Uniform 90 Pansar (P). Combat uniform 90 Pansar is the field uniform of the Swedish Armed Forces for personnel in combat vehicle and tank service. Field jacket 90 Pansar is mid-cut and equipped with pockets on the sleeves. It is lined for increased fire protection and also has sewn-in padding to protect against the sharp edges found in various armored vehicles. Field trousers 90 Pansar are also equipped with pockets on the lower legs to allow equipment to be easily retrieved by personnel while seated at their position in the tank. Like the jacket, the trousers are lined to increase fire protection. Steel-toed protective footwear is used by tank crews to further increase protection. In the 1990s, armored troops' berets once again turn black (instead of dark blue). The image shows combat uniform 90 Pansar for personnel in combat vehicle and tank service. Image: the Swedish Armed Forces. See further: Uniforms of the Swedish Army Images: