The cavalry uniforms were submitted to several changes in the 1840s. Uniforms of the cavalry units were much more distinguishing compared to the infantry uniforms. The different types of cavalry; hussars, dragoons and lancers, wore different uniforms. However, many cavalry units were reorganized several times and shifted from time to times between these different types of cavalry (hussars, dragoon and lancers) which makes it complicated to list each unit’s uniforms during this period.Pick a period/uniform:
Period 1840 - 1900
Uniforms of the Swedish Army - 1800s (D)
Contents; Uniforms of the 1800s:
Mounted Life Guards (Horse Guards)
The Mounted Life Guards (K1), (1806 hussars, 1845 dragoons, 1852 lancers, 1879 dragoons) wore during the first half of the 1800s the hussar uniform. In 1822 they enacted the tall hussar cap. K1 is the unit’s designation.In 1845 the regiment enacted a new light blue uniform, m/1845. A new tunic then replaced the former tailcoat. Headgear was a custodian style helmet with plumes made of white haircloth.
Lancer Uniform m/1852
In 1852 the Mounted Life Guards was reorganized into lancers and then enacted a lancer uniform, the medium blue m/1852. The tunic was double-breasted with 6 buttons each and equipped with a standing collar. Collar and cuffs was supplied with two silver-braided “blind” buttonholes. Headgear was the traditional lancer caps. Around the waist was a belt. The lancer cap, the czapka (Swe: tschapka) was a headgear, consisting of a high, four-pointed cap with regimental insignia on the front. The Swedish czapka was made of light blue broadcloth and black leather and equipped with a white hanging plume of haircloth. The officers’ cap was equipped with embroideries, silver braids and pompon of gold. It was a stiff cap with a square flared crown.The image to the left shows lancer cap m/1852 with a white plume worn by the Mounted Life Guards. Wikipedia. The image to the right shows lancer uniform m/1852.Lancers typically wore a double-breasted jacket (kurtka) with a colored panel (plastron) at the front, a colored sash, and a square-topped Polish cap (czapka). The kurtka was a type of close fitting double breasted jacket, cut to the waist and often worn with a plastron, a contrasting-colored panel of cloth covering the chest worn by lancers.The Swedish kurtka was double-breasted with plastron and piping and equipped with epaulettes. Epaulettes was worn both by officers and men. The lancers were supplied with sabers. A lancer was a type of cavalryman who fought with a lance. The Mounted Life Guards was reorganized into dragoons in 1879 and was then wearing dragoon uniformm/1879. The jacket was blue, double-breasted with 8 buttons in each row, equipped with a white plastron. The former lancer cap was replaced by a silver-plated spiked helmet (pickelhaube) with a white hanging plume, helmet m/1879. The jacket was double-breasted with a white plastron.The image to the right shows the blue dragoon jacket m/1879 with a white plastron, enlisted men. Wikipedia.The image to the left shows the spiked helmed m/1879 with plume worn by the Mounted Life Guards, enlisted men. Wikipedia.
Uniform m/1895
The Mounted Life Guards, Dragoon regiments and Army Service Troops
In 1895 several cavalry units enacted a new uniform, m/1895. This uniform was medium blue and single-breasted with 8 buttons. The collar was an open standing collar cut on the bias. The cuffs were equipped with a vertical so-called “buttonhole” with silver embroideries. The button was done. There were two chest pockets with flaps.The image to the right shows the vertical buttonholes on the cuffs. Photo Hans Högman 2012.The color of the collars was distinguishing to each regiment. The Mounted Life Guards (K1) wore medium blue collars, Life Regiment Dragoons (K2) white, Skåne Dragoon Regiment (K6) yellow and Norrland Dragoon Regiment (K8) orange collars. Rank insignias were worn on the collar.This uniform was not only worn by the Mounted Life Guards and the dragoon regiments but also by the Army Service Corps (Trängkåren). However, the uniform worn by the Service Corps was dark blue (model II).A new helmet, m/1900, was introduced in 1900.
The Life Regiment Dragoons (K2) was in 1823 equipped with a helmet with a crest of horsecloth (horsehair). In 1846 they enacted a new similar helmet, m/1846 but with a crest of metal.The helmet was made of black leather with a gold-plated front-plate and crest.The image to the right shows dragoon helmet m/1846. Wikipedia.
Dragoon uniform m/1859
In 1859 the Life Regiment Dragoons enacted a new uniform, m/1859. The tunic was white equipped with a black plastron furnished with yellow stripes. The trousers were dark blue with a yellow stripe on the outer sides. The former helmet, m/1846, was kept. In 1881 the uniform was completed with high boots. Officers used long trousers in parades and ceremonies.The image to the right shows a dragoon wearing uniform m/1859.
Uniform m/1875
The Life Regiment Dragoons (K2) and Skåne Dragoon Regiment (K6) wore from 1875 a dark blue tunic m/1875 with a plastron furnished with yellow stripes. Trousers were dark blue jodhpurs with yellow stripes, m/1881.The double- breasted tunic was equipped with a standing collar, shoulder straps and 8 buttons in each row. Headdress was dragoon cap m/1866 and later helmet m/1886. The 1875 tunic was similar to tunic m/1859 but with different colors. In 1895 the dragoon regiments enacted a new light blue uniform, m/1895 with white collar and piping. See the section about uniform m/1895 above. Headgear was a black helmet with a white plume. The Army Service Corps wore a similar uniform m/1895 but in a dark blue color.The Mounted Jämtland Rifle Corps headgear was a shako until 1856 when they enacted a new uniform, m/1856, with a cap equipped with a black plume of horsehair. This uniform was a variant of the Mounted Life Guards uniform m/1852 (see above) but in a dark green color. The uniform was submitted to some changes in 1881 and the cap was replaced by a lower kepi.
Hussar Uniforms
The hussar uniform was changed mid-1800s. The former high cap used since the 1700s was then replaced with the typical hussar cap (Swe: hussarmössa). The first hussar cap, m/1846, was a tall cap with visors both in front and behind. This cap was redeveloped in 1847 and a lighter model was introduced. This model was also equipped with two visors. The visor at the back was removed in 1853.In 1866 a new hussar cap was introduced, m/1886, equipped with a hanging plume of horsehair. In 1895 yet another hussar cap was introduced, m/1895, with a standing plume.The image to the right shows an officer’s hussar cap m/1895. Wikipedia.The color of the collars was distinguishing to each regiment. The Life Regiment Hussars wore white collars, Småland Hussar Regiment yellow, Skåne Hussar Regiment Light blue and Crown Prince’s Hussar Regiment dark blue collars. Rank insignias were worn on the collar.
Attila m/1875
All hussar regiments, the Crown Prince’s Hussar Regiment excluded, wore from 1875 atilla m/1875 as a new tunic. The atilla was dark blue equipped with 5 rows of black braiding. The Artillery also wore an atilla at the time but the artillery atilla was different from the hussar atilla. The atilla was a tunic similar to the dolman jacket. Like the dolman the atilla was richly braided with lace and knots on the chest.
In 1928, when the Mounted Life Guards (K1) and Life Regiment Dragoons (K2) were merged into a new regiment, the Mounted Life Regiment (K1), the new regiment enacted the uniform previously worn by the Mounted Life Guards. However, the new regiment wore three crowns on the shoulder straps instead of the former Royal monogram.
Images of uniform m/1895
Hussar atilla m/1875. The image shows an Army Captain’s atilla. Note the rank insignia on the collar, three stars.
Dolman m/1870 and m/1872
The dolman was the original hussar jacket. It was extensively adorned with braiding (often gold or silver for officers) and several rows of buttons. Gradually the braiding became very dense covering the entire chest. The dolman was buttoned up from the left side. It was usually worn under a pelisse, a similar coat but with fur trimming, usually worn slung over the left shoulder with the sleeves hanging loose.In most European countries the dolman was replaced by the atilla mid-1850s.The enlisted men in the Crown Prince’s Hussar Regiment and Life Regiment Hussar Corps wore from 1870 dolman m/1870. This dolman was equipped with three rows of buttons with 8 buttons per row.The fur coat m/1870 was equipped with the same number of rows and buttons. The officers wore dolman m/1872 which was equipped with three rows with 10 buttons per row. The outer rows of buttons were supplied with tassels. There was also a dolman m/1872 for enlisted men, equipped with three three rows of buttons with 8 buttons per row like the dolman m/1870. See images of the dolman.The image to the left shows a dolman m/1870, enlisted men, Hussar Corps of the Life Regiment (K3). Wikipedia.
Dolman m/1895
In 1895 the hussar units enacted a new uniform, dolman m/1895. It was equipped with an open standing collar cut on the bias. The jacket was dark blue with different colors on the collars depending on unit.The color of the collars was distinguishing to each regiment. The Life Regiment Hussars (K3) wore white collars, Småland Hussar Regiment (K4) yellow, Skåne Hussar Regiment (K5) Light blue and Crown Prince’s Hussar Regiment (K79 dark blue collars. Rank insignias were worn on the collar.The dolman m/1895 was equipped with 3 rows of buttons with 10 buttons per row. The three rows of buttons were connected with braids and lace of which the officers were gold colored (K3 silver) while the enlisted men wore yellow braids (K3 white).The outer rows of buttons were adorned with braids forming loops in the shape of a three-leaf clover. Braids were worn arms, tails, back and below the collar. See an image of dolman m/1895 further below.
Regimental Colors, Dolman m/1895 – Enlisted men
Image of dolman m/1895
The image shows dolman m/1895. This particular dolman was worn by Småland Hussar Regiment (yellow braiding and yellow collar).
Kollett m/1871
The kollett was a type of jacket shorter than the coat, had a standing collar but no tails. The kollett was used during summers and drill exercises. The corresponding garment in English is probably coatee. A coatee was a type of short tight-fitting uniform coat or jacket. It wasn’t braided bat equipped with shoulder straps and rank insignias.The kollett was introduced in the end of the 1700s and worn by the infantry and cavalry.Kollett m/1871 was worn by the Mounted Life Regiment, the dragoon regiments and the Army Service Corps. The kollett m/1871 was issued in two models; one light blue worn by the Mounted Life Regiment and the dragoon regiments and one dark blue worn by the Army Service Corps.Both models were equipped with shoulder straps with shoulder marks and a high standing collar cut on the bias. Rank insignias (stars) were worn on the collar. 1 star = Second Lieutenant, 2 stars Lieutenant and 3 stars Army Captain. Major 1 star and a stripe, Lieutenant Colonel stars and a stripe and Colonel 3 stars and a stripe. The golden stripe was attached around the collar. The kollett was the daily service uniform.The image to the right shows a kollett m/1871 for a Colonel, K1. Wikipedia.
Bigesch m/1858
A Bigesch was a long heavily braided greatcoat. The braiding was in the same color as the greatcoat. Also, the cuffs were braided.The dark blue bigesch was introduced in the Swedish cavalry in 1858 (m/1858) and worn by officers and non-commissioned officers. It then replaced the former surtout. The greatcoat was equipped with a standing collar.The Mounted Life Guards wore a light blue bigesch.Rank insignias were worn on the collar.The image to the right shows an officer wearing bigesch m/1858. The officer in the photo is Lieutenant Brodén, Life Regiment Hussars (K3). K3 Photo Archives.
Images of Cavalry Uniforms
The colored pictures below are from my own collection, Hans Högman.
Carl Edward Arfwedson, Life Regiment Dragoons, wearing uniform m/1859 and helmet m/1846. The photo was taken around 1877 and is shown with consent of Olof Zachrisson.
Hussar dolman m/1895 and hussar cap m/1895. The photo was taken in Landskrona so the soldier was probably serving in the Skåne Hussar Regiment (Medium blue collar). The photo is shown with consent of Kelly Lord.
Hussar dolman m/1895, probably Crown Prince’s Hussar Regiment (dark blue collar). The photo shows Harald Nordenson circa 1907 and is shown with the consent of Magdalena Nordenson.
Tunic m/1895 worn by the Mounted Life Guards, the dragoon regiments and the Army Service Corps.The above tunic was worn by a soldier in the Mounted Life Guards,.
Soldier wearing uniform m/1895. This soldier was serving in one of the dragoon regiments, probably the Life Regiment Dragoons since the collar and shoulder straps seems to be white. In this case it outght to be three crowns on the shoulder straps. The photo is shown with consent by Kjell Lindkvist.
Soldiers wearing uniform m/1895. This uniform was worn by the Mounted Life Guards, the dragoon regiments and the Army Service Corps.This uniform was medium blue, but the model worn by the Army Service Corps was dark blue. The stripes on the upper left arms are so-called school insignias. The color of the uniforms in the b/w photo seems to be light so these soldiers must wear the medium blue uniform of the cavalry. The collars are very dark.The Mounted Life Guards wore blue collars equipped with white buttonholes which these soldiers don’t wear. The Norrland Dragoon Regiment (K8) wore orange collars which might look dark in a b/w photo. So, these soldiers probably served in K8.The photo is shown with consent of Marie Näslund.
Hussar wearing dolman m/1870, enlisted men, Skåne Hussar Regiment, K5. This unit wasn’t wearing light cuffs on the dolman m/1870 like the other hussar units. The dolman to the left shows some differences compared to the dolmans which normally was worn by this unit. The braiding is in some extent a bit different. For example the braiding on the cuffs is placed further up on the arms. Also, the braiding at the bottom of the dolman is placed a bit away from the buttoning. These deviations might be due to the manufacturing process. However, the major deviations is the the number of buttons per row. The dolman m/1870 was equipped with three rows of buttons with 8 buttons per row. This dolman only have 7 buttons per row. Officers were allowed to adjust the number of buttons per row according to their height. Enlisted men were probably allowed to do the same? The distance between rows was probably more important than the number of buttons?The photo is shown with consent of Dag Oredsson and was taken at the Rudolf Pettersson Studio in Höganäs, Skåne, who opened for business in Höganäs in 1882.See also the color image of dolman m/1870 for enlisted men, Skåne Hussar Regiment.
Dolman m/1870, enlisted men, Skåne Hussar Regiment.Army Museum Collections, Digitalmuseum.
Officer wearing the greatcoat bigesch m/1858. The officer is Second Lieutenant Stephan Björnström (1880–1928) with the Life Regiment Dragoons, K2. Photo: Ernest Florman, Stockholm (Kungl. Hovfotograf).
The cavalry uniforms were submitted to several changes in the 1840s. Uniforms of the cavalry units were much more distinguishing compared to the infantry uniforms. The different types of cavalry; hussars, dragoons and lancers, wore different uniforms. However, many cavalry units were reorganized several times and shifted from time to times between these different types of cavalry (hussars, dragoon and lancers) which makes it complicated to list each unit’s uniforms during this period.Pick a period/uniform:
The Mounted Life Guards (K1), (1806 hussars, 1845 dragoons, 1852 lancers, 1879 dragoons) wore during the first half of the 1800s the hussar uniform. In 1822 they enacted the tall hussar cap. K1 is the unit’s designation.In 1845 the regiment enacted a new light blue uniform, m/1845. A new tunic then replaced the former tailcoat. Headgear was a custodian style helmet with plumes made of white haircloth.
Lancer Uniform m/1852
In 1852 the Mounted Life Guards was reorganized into lancers and then enacted a lancer uniform, the medium blue m/1852. The tunic was double-breasted with 6 buttons each and equipped with a standing collar. Collar and cuffs was supplied with two silver-braided “blind” buttonholes. Headgear was the traditional lancer caps. Around the waist was a belt. The lancer cap, the czapka (Swe: tschapka) was a headgear, consisting of a high, four-pointed cap with regimental insignia on the front. The Swedish czapka was made of light blue broadcloth and black leather and equipped with a white hanging plume of haircloth. The officers’ cap was equipped with embroideries, silver braids and pompon of gold. It was a stiff cap with a square flared crown.The image to the left shows lancer cap m/1852 with a white plume worn by the Mounted Life Guards. Wikipedia. The image to the right shows lancer uniform m/1852.Lancers typically wore a double-breasted jacket (kurtka) with a colored panel (plastron) at the front, a colored sash, and a square-topped Polish cap (czapka). The kurtka was a type of close fitting double breasted jacket, cut to the waist and often worn with a plastron, a contrasting-colored panel of cloth covering the chest worn by lancers.The Swedish kurtka was double-breasted with plastron and piping and equipped with epaulettes. Epaulettes was worn both by officers and men. The lancers were supplied with sabers. A lancer was a type of cavalryman who fought with a lance. The Mounted Life Guards was reorganized into dragoons in 1879 and was then wearing dragoon uniformm/1879. The jacket was blue, double-breasted with 8 buttons in each row, equipped with a white plastron. The former lancer cap was replaced by a silver-plated spiked helmet (pickelhaube) with a white hanging plume, helmet m/1879. The jacket was double-breasted with a white plastron.The image to the right shows the blue dragoon jacket m/1879 with a white plastron, enlisted men. Wikipedia.The image to the left shows the spiked helmed m/1879 with plume worn by the Mounted Life Guards, enlisted men. Wikipedia.
Uniform m/1895
The Mounted Life Guards, Dragoon
regiments and Army Service Troops
In 1895 several cavalry units enacted a new uniform, m/1895. This uniform was medium blue and single-breasted with 8 buttons. The collar was an open standing collar cut on the bias. The cuffs were equipped with a vertical so-called “buttonhole” with silver embroideries. The button was done. There were two chest pockets with flaps.The image to the right shows the vertical buttonholes on the cuffs. Photo Hans Högman 2012.The color of the collars was distinguishing to each regiment. The Mounted Life Guards (K1) wore medium blue collars, Life Regiment Dragoons (K2) white, Skåne Dragoon Regiment (K6) yellow and Norrland Dragoon Regiment (K8) orange collars. Rank insignias were worn on the collar.This uniform was not only worn by the Mounted Life Guards and the dragoon regiments but also by the Army Service Corps (Trängkåren). However, the uniform worn by the Service Corps was dark blue (model II).A new helmet, m/1900, was introduced in 1900.
Regimental Colors, Cavalry Uniform m/1895
– Enlisted men:
Dragoon Uniforms
The Life Regiment Dragoons (K2) was in 1823 equipped with a helmet with a crest of horsecloth (horsehair). In 1846 they enacted a new similar helmet, m/1846but with a crest of metal.The helmet was made of black leather with a gold-plated front-plate and crest.The image to the right shows dragoon helmet m/1846. Wikipedia.
Dragoon uniform m/1859
In 1859 the Life Regiment Dragoons enacted a new uniform, m/1859. The tunic was white equipped with a black plastron furnished with yellow stripes. The trousers were dark blue with a yellow stripe on the outer sides. The former helmet, m/1846, was kept. In 1881 the uniform was completed with high boots. Officers used long trousers in parades and ceremonies.The image to the right shows a dragoon wearing uniform m/1859.
Uniform m/1875
The Life Regiment Dragoons (K2) and Skåne Dragoon Regiment (K6) wore from 1875 a dark blue tunic m/1875 with a plastron furnished with yellow stripes. Trousers were dark blue jodhpurs with yellow stripes, m/1881.The double- breasted tunic was equipped with a standing collar, shoulder straps and 8 buttons in each row. Headdress was dragoon cap m/1866 and later helmet m/1886. The 1875 tunic was similar to tunic m/1859 but with different colors. In 1895 the dragoon regiments enacted a new light blue uniform, m/1895 with white collar and piping. See the section about uniform m/1895 above. Headgear was a black helmet with a white plume. The Army Service Corps wore a similar uniform m/1895 but in a dark blue color.The Mounted Jämtland Rifle Corps headgear was a shako until 1856 when they enacted a new uniform, m/1856, with a cap equipped with a black plume of horsehair. This uniform was a variant of the Mounted Life Guards uniform m/1852 (see above) but in a dark green color. The uniform was submitted to some changes in 1881 and the cap was replaced by a lower kepi.
Hussar Uniforms
The hussar uniform was changed mid-1800s. The former high cap used since the 1700s was then replaced with the typical hussar cap (Swe: hussarmössa). The first hussar cap, m/1846, was a tall cap with visors both in front and behind. This cap was redeveloped in 1847 and a lighter model was introduced. This model was also equipped with two visors. The visor at the back was removed in 1853.In 1866 a new hussar cap was introduced, m/1886, equipped with a hanging plume of horsehair. In 1895 yet another hussar cap was introduced, m/1895, with a standing plume.The image to the right shows an officer’s hussar cap m/1895. Wikipedia.The color of the collars was distinguishing to each regiment. The Life Regiment Hussars wore white collars, Småland Hussar Regiment yellow, Skåne Hussar Regiment Light blue and Crown Prince’s Hussar Regiment dark blue collars. Rank insignias were worn on the collar.
Attila m/1875
All hussar regiments, the Crown Prince’s Hussar Regiment excluded, wore from 1875 atilla m/1875 as a new tunic. The atilla was dark blue equipped with 5 rows of black braiding. The Artillery also wore an atilla at the time but the artillery atilla was different from the hussar atilla. The atilla was a tunic similar to the dolman jacket. Like the dolman the atilla was richly braided with lace and knots on the chest.
In 1928, when the Mounted Life Guards (K1) and Life Regiment Dragoons (K2) were merged into a new regiment, the Mounted Life Regiment (K1), the new regiment enacted the uniform previously worn by the Mounted Life Guards. However, the new regiment wore three crowns on the shoulder straps instead of the former Royal monogram.
Images of uniform m/1895
Hussar atilla m/1875. The image shows an Army Captain’s atilla. Note the rank insignia on the collar, three stars.
Dolman m/1870 and m/1872
The dolman was the original hussar jacket. It was extensively adorned with braiding (often gold or silver for officers) and several rows of buttons. Gradually the braiding became very dense covering the entire chest. The dolman was buttoned up from the left side. It was usually worn under a pelisse, a similar coat but with fur trimming, usually worn slung over the left shoulder with the sleeves hanging loose.In most European countries the dolman was replaced by the atilla mid-1850s.The enlisted men in the Crown Prince’s Hussar Regiment and Life Regiment Hussar Corps wore from 1870 dolman m/1870. This dolman was equipped with three rows of buttons with 8 buttons per row.The fur coat m/1870 was equipped with the same number of rows and buttons. The officers wore dolman m/1872 which was equipped with three rows with 10 buttons per row. The outer rows of buttons were supplied with tassels. There was also a dolman m/1872 for enlisted men, equipped with three three rows of buttons with 8 buttons per row like the dolman m/1870. See images of the dolman.The image to the left shows a dolman m/1870, enlisted men, Hussar Corps of the Life Regiment (K3). Wikipedia.
Dolman m/1895
In 1895 the hussar units enacted a new uniform, dolman m/1895. It was equipped with an open standing collar cut on the bias. The jacket was dark blue with different colors on the collars depending on unit.The color of the collars was distinguishing to each regiment. The Life Regiment Hussars (K3) wore white collars, Småland Hussar Regiment (K4) yellow, Skåne Hussar Regiment (K5) Light blue and Crown Prince’s Hussar Regiment (K79 dark blue collars. Rank insignias were worn on the collar.The dolman m/1895 was equipped with 3 rows of buttons with 10 buttons per row. The three rows of buttons were connected with braids and lace of which the officers were gold colored (K3 silver) while the enlisted men wore yellow braids (K3 white).The outer rows of buttons were adorned with braids forming loops in the shape of a three-leaf clover. Braids were worn arms, tails, back and below the collar. See an image of dolman m/1895 further below.
Regimental Colors, Dolman m/1895 – Enlisted
men
Image of dolman m/1895
The image shows dolman m/1895. This particular dolman was worn by Småland Hussar Regiment (yellow braiding and yellow collar).
Carl Edward Arfwedson, Life Regiment Dragoons, wearing uniform m/1859 and helmet m/1846. The photo was taken around 1877 and is shown with consent of Olof Zachrisson.
Hussar dolman m/1895and hussar cap m/1895. The photo was taken in Landskrona so the soldier was probably serving in the Skåne Hussar Regiment (Medium blue collar). The photo is shown with consent of Kelly Lord.
Hussar dolman m/1895,probably Crown Prince’s Hussar Regiment (dark blue collar). The photo shows Harald Nordenson circa 1907 and is shown with the consent of Magdalena Nordenson.
Tunic m/1895 worn by the Mounted Life Guards, the dragoon regiments and the Army Service Corps.The above tunic was worn by a soldier in the Mounted Life Guards,.
Soldier wearing uniform m/1895. This soldier was serving in one of the dragoon regiments, probably the Life Regiment Dragoons since the collar and shoulder straps seems to be white. In this case it outght to be three crowns on the shoulder straps. The photo is shown with consent by Kjell Lindkvist.
Soldiers wearing uniform m/1895. This uniform was worn by the Mounted Life Guards, the dragoon regiments and the Army Service Corps.This uniform was medium blue, but the model worn by the Army Service Corps was dark blue. The stripes on the upper left arms are so-called school insignias. The color of the uniforms in the b/w photo seems to be light so these soldiers must wear the medium blue uniform of the cavalry. The collars are very dark.The Mounted Life Guards wore blue collars equipped with white buttonholes which these soldiers don’t wear. The Norrland Dragoon Regiment (K8) wore orange collars which might look dark in a b/w photo. So, these soldiers probably served in K8.The photo is shown with consent of Marie Näslund.
The kollett was a type of jacket shorter than the coat, had a standing collar but no tails. The kollett was used during summers and drill exercises. The corresponding garment in English is probably coatee. A coatee was a type of short tight-fitting uniform coat or jacket. It wasn’t braided bat equipped with shoulder straps and rank insignias.The kollett was introduced in the end of the 1700s and worn by the infantry and cavalry.Kollett m/1871 was worn by the Mounted Life Regiment, the dragoon regiments and the Army Service Corps. The kollett m/1871 was issued in two models; one light blue worn by the Mounted Life Regiment and the dragoon regiments and one dark blue worn by the Army Service Corps.Both models were equipped with shoulder straps with shoulder marks and a high standing collar cut on the bias. Rank insignias (stars) were worn on the collar. 1 star = Second Lieutenant, 2 stars Lieutenant and 3 stars Army Captain. Major 1 star and a stripe, Lieutenant Colonel stars and a stripe and Colonel 3 stars and a stripe. The golden stripe was attached around the collar. The kollett was the daily service uniform.The image to the right shows a kollett m/1871 for a Colonel, K1. Wikipedia.
Bigesch m/1858
A Bigesch was a long heavily braided greatcoat. The braiding was in the same color as the greatcoat. Also, the cuffs were braided.The dark blue bigesch was introduced in the Swedish cavalry in 1858 (m/1858) and worn by officers and non-commissioned officers. It then replaced the former surtout. The greatcoat was equipped with a standing collar.The Mounted Life Guards wore a light blue bigesch.Rank insignias were worn on the collar.The image to the right shows an officer wearing bigesch m/1858. The officer in the photo is Lieutenant Brodén, Life Regiment Hussars (K3). K3 Photo Archives.
Images of Cavalry Uniforms
The colored pictures below are from my own collection, Hans Högman.
Hussar wearing dolman m/1870, enlisted men, Skåne Hussar Regiment, K5. This unit wasn’t wearing light cuffs on the dolman m/1870 like the other hussar units. The dolman to the left shows some differences compared to the dolmans which normally was worn by this unit. The braiding is in some extent a bit different. For example the braiding on the cuffs is placed further up on the arms. Also, the braiding at the bottom of the dolman is placed a bit away from the buttoning. These deviations might be due to the manufacturing process. However, the major deviations is the the number of buttons per row. The dolman m/1870 was equipped with three rows of buttons with 8 buttons per row. This dolman only have 7 buttons per row. Officers were allowed to adjust the number of buttons per row according to their height. Enlisted men were probably allowed to do the same? The distance between rows was probably more important than the number of buttons?The photo is shown with consent of Dag Oredsson and was taken at the Rudolf Pettersson Studio in Höganäs, Skåne, who opened for business in Höganäs in 1882.See also the color image of dolman m/1870 for enlisted men, Skåne Hussar Regiment.
Dolman m/1870, enlisted men, Skåne Hussar Regiment.Army Museum Collections, Digitalmuseum.
Officer wearing the greatcoat bigesch m/1858. The officer is Second Lieutenant Stephan Björnström (1880–1928) with the Life Regiment Dragoons, K2. Photo: Ernest Florman, Stockholm (Kungl. Hovfotograf).
