About the Coast Artillery

The Establishment of the Coast Artillery

An Act was passed in the Swedish Parliament on 1 November 1901 establishing a new branch of the Armed Services, The Coast Artillery (Swe: Kustartilleriet). The Coast Artillery was formed from the Fortress Artillery, the Marine Regiment and of parts of the ordinary artillery. The first coast artillery regiment was the Vaxholm Coast Artillery Regiment (KA1) which was established out of the Vaxholm fortress artillery, the Vaxholm Artillery Corps. The second regiment was the Karlskrona Coast Artillery Regiment (KA2) which was established from the Karlskrona Artillery Corps. The main purpose of the coast artillery was invasion defense and defense of important coastal areas. This was achieved with coastal artillery and sea mines by sinking or stopping enemy war ships. The Coast Artillery operated both with mobile artillery units and stationary artillery battery fortresses in coastal rocks. The Coast Artillery was greatly expanded during WWII and the Cold War and from the 1940s and forward about 60 new fortress batteries was being built along the Swedish coast line.

The end of the of the Coast Artillery - The

Birth of the Amphibious Corps

On 1 July 2000, when the Swedish Coast Artillery was disestablished and reorganized into the new Swedish Amphibious Corps (Swe: Amfibiekåren). The changed name and new structure were to reflect the new tasks that the old Coast Artillery had moved to after the end of the Cold War and the demise of the Warsaw Pact. The Swedish Navy (Swe: Marinen) is the naval branch of the Swedish Armed Forces. It is composed of surface and submarine naval units – the Navy Fleet (Flottan) – as well as marine units, the Amphibious Corps (Amfibiekåren). The Amphibious Corps was founded on 1 July 2000 when the Vaxholm Amphibious Corps (Amf1), Älvsborg Amphibious Corps (Amf4) and the Amphibious War Academy (AmfSS) was established. For further information, see The History of the Swedish Coast Artillery.

Uniforms of the Coast Artillery

Uniform m/1902

The Coast Artillery wore from the establishment in 1902 the uniform m/1902 which largely was a similar uniform to the one used by the Navy. One difference was the standing collar of the coat used by the Coast Artillery. The Navy coat was equipped with a folded collar. The image to the right shows a soldier in the Coast Artillery wearing uniform m/1902 with round cap. Photo 1929. The m/1902 uniform was used by the Coast Artillery until 1942 when they received the army battle dress uniform m/1939, the gray-brown-green uniform which in the Coast Artillery was designated m/1942. This uniform was better suited for the artillery crews than the naval uniform m/1902. Also, the Coast Artillery rank insignias were in shape and form very similar to the Navy rank insignias. However the officer’s loop in the Coast Artillery is oval (“an onion”) while the Navy loop is circular. On the other hand, the titles of the ranks in the Coast Artillery were similar to the ones used by the army, for example Major, Lieutenant Colonel, etc.

Images of Coast Artillery Uniforms

Battle Dress Uniform m/1942

In 1939, shortly before the outbreak of WWII, a new battle dress uniform was introduced for the Army, uniform m/1939. The color of the uniform was gray- brown-green. The jacket was single-breasted with 4 buttons and equipped with business suit style lapels. The collar was turned down (no standing collar). There were two breast pockets and two side pockets. A leather belt was worn around the waist. The battledress trousers was equipped with a strap at the bottom making it possible to fasten the trousers to the ankle boots. A new headgear was adopted in 1939, side cap m/1939 (Swe: båtmössa). The side cap was in the same color as the jacket and trousers. The Coast Artillery had since 1902 been wearing a navy type of uniform, the m/1902. This uniform wasn’t really suitable as a battle dress uniform for combat situations ashore. Therefore, in 1942 the Coast Artillery received the same battle dress uniform as the army. Since the Coast Artillery adopted the new uniform in 1942 the uniform’s designation became m/1942. The coat was equipped with shoulder straps on which the Coast Artillery service branch insignia, the two crossed cannon barrels above a flaming grenade, was worn. The collar badges were red and carried the unit designation. Officers and NCOs wore their rank insignias on the collar badges. The image to the right shows an artilleryman wearing uniform m/1942 with numeral one on the collar tab (Vaxholm Coast Artillery Regiment, KA1). Photo Hans Högman 2003. Vaxholms fästningsmuseum. The Coast Artillery Rank Insignias m/1942

Battle Dress Uniform m/1958

Experiences from WWII proved the need for two combat uniforms in Sweden; one summer use and one for winter use (being located in Northern Europe). Also, the need of uniforms better adapted to modern warfare. During the post war area, 1940s and 1950s, attempts were made to improve combat uniform m/1939 as well as developing a new combat uniform. This resulted in battle dress uniform m/1958. This uniform was a modernized version of the former m/1939. The color of the uniform was similar to uniform m/1939, i.e. gray-brown-green while the uniform itself got a new cut. Beside this new uniform, the former uniform m/1939 was modified to appear like uniform m/1958 and designated m/1939-1958. The Coast Artillery version of m/1939, the uniform m/1942, was modified in a similar manner and designated m/1942-1958. Among other things they were completed with packets in-front and in the back. Further, the shoulder straps were removed. Rank and unit insignias were worn on the collar tips. The m/1958 was not equipped with shoulder straps. Uniform m/1958 was worn by all army units. It was made of thick gray-brown-green woolen fabric and intended for winter use. The uniform was well suited for cold and damp weather. New summer battle dress uniform became the green m/1959 uniform. The image to the right shows a soldier of the Coast Artillery (KA4) wearing uniform m/1942- 1958 using the Ra145 radio. Fur cap m/1959. Photo Hans Högman, 1970. The coat had a folded please in the back for better comfort and a wide collar that could be turned up in bad weather. There were large pockets; two in front and two in the back, all with flaps. The trouser legs were equipped with a band at the bottom with hooks that could be fastened in the ankle boots and a leather strap to prevent a gap between trousers and the boots keeping dirt or snow out of the boots. The combat shirt was made of green flannel. A green combat cap was introduced with the m/1959 uniform which from 1959 were also worn with uniform m/1958. Rank and branch insignias were affixed to collar tab m/1958 and worn on the collar tips of uniform m/1958. The collar tab was made of green textile bands with a light green edging. The insignias were bronze colored and woven into the textile band. Branch insignias were worn on the right collar tip or both tips. Rank insignias were worn on the left collar tip.

Battle Dress Uniform m/1959

A new battle dress uniform was introduced in 1959, m/1959. It was made of cotton fabric and in an olive- green color. This uniform was primarily for summer use while the earlier battle dress uniform m/1958 now became the stipulated winter uniform. The cut and design of uniform m/1959 were similar to uniform m/1958 but manufactured in a different material and color. Combat jacket m/1959 was equipped with two pockets with flaps in front and two pockets in the back. The jacket was also supplied with a half-belt at the bottom. There were no shoulder straps on the jacket. Collar tabs m/1958 were used on uniform m/1958 as well as on uniform m/1959. Branch insignia collar tabs were used on the right collar tip. Private soldiers wore branch insignia on both collar tips. Officers and NCOs wore rank insignias collar tabs on the left collar tip. The image to the right shows the Coast Artillery coat m/1959, soldier. The image to the left shows the collar tab m/1959 worn by the Coast Artillery. Combat trousers m/1959 was olive-green and equipped with two trouser pockets, two leg pockets and two pockets in the back. The trouser legs were supplied with a band at the bottom with hooks that could be fastened in the ankle boots and a leather strap to prevent a gap between trousers and the boots keeping dirt or snow out of the boots. Combat shirt m/1959 was like the jacket and trousers olive-green with a soft folded collar. The shirt didn’t have buttons all the way down, only at the top of the shirt which means it had to be pulled over the head like a sweater. Rank insignias were worn on left side of the shirt front. These shirt rank insignias was the same as the rank insignia collar tabs worn on the collar tip. Peaked cap m/1959, was a olive-green cap with a soft visor. This cap was for summer use but there was also a green fur cap m/1959 for winter use. There was an olive-green fur-lined greatcoat m/1959 (Swe: vindrock) for winter use. The fur-line was detachable. The greatcoat reached down to the knees and was equipped with two side pockets with flaps.

Service Dress Uniform m/1960

A new service dress uniform was enacted in 1960, m/1960. It had a different cut compared to the combat uniforms m/1958 and m/1959. The color was steel-gray, had a slim design and made of a thinner fabric. The coat m/1960 was single-breasted with 5 gold- plated buttons (some units wore silver-plated buttons), two breast pockets and two side pockets, all with flaps. The Army version of m/1960 was equipped with shoulder straps but the Coast Artillery version of m/1960 was without shoulder straps. Rank insignias were in the Coast Artillery worn on the collar tips while the branch insignia was worn on the right side of the chest, the crossed cannon barrels. The insignias were made of bronze-plated metal. The steel-gray long trousers m/1960 were equipped with pockets and two pockets in the back. Shirt m/1960 was made in a blue-gray color and equipped with collar and shoulder straps. There were two breast pockets with flaps. There was a blue-gray tie worn with the shirt. The image to the right shows a soldier of the Coast Artillery (KA4) wearing uniform m/1960 with side cap m/1960. The Coast Artillery branch insignia, the two crossed cannons, was worn on the right-hand side of the chest. Note the absence of shoulder straps. Photo Hans Högman, 1970. The greatcoat m/1960 was in the same color as the jacket, double-breasted with three buttons and reached down to the knees and equipped with shoulder straps. A peaked fur cap was worn with the greatcoat in winter time. Headgear was a steel-gray garrison cap m/1960 (side cap). Officers and NCO also wore a peaked cap m/1960 with a black lacquered visor. The image to the left shows the Coast Artillery coat m/1960, Captain. Digitalmuseum. Vaxholms fästningsmuseum. The golden Neptune Trident is the unit insignia of the Kustjägarna (Coastal Rangers). They were a special operations unit within the former Coast Artillery, now within the Amphibious Corp. The trident was worn on the green beret used by this unit. From 1994 the trident is worn on the upper half of the right arm on the battle dress uniform m/1990 and on the chest of the service dress uniform m/1987. The green beret m/1960 is made of dark green felt equipped with the Neptune Trident. The image to the right shows the green beret m/1960 worn by the unit Kustjägarna. Note the trident. Armémuseum. Uniform m/60 was also worn as a full dress uniform (Swe: Högtidsdräkt) and as a dress uniform worn when doing guard duty at the Stockholm Palace (Royal Guards) (Swe: Högvakten). The m/1960 was then completed with white gaiters, white gloves and white helmets. Service Dress Uniform m/1968 A new service dress uniform was enacted in, m/1968. The short jacket was made of green fabric, single- breasted and equipped with shoulder straps and two flapped breast pockets. The trousers were green and equipped with two side pockets and two hip pockets. Shirt m/1968 was made of green fabric, equipped with a collar and shoulder straps and two flapped breast pockets. The tie was made of light green fabric. Peaked cap m/1968 was green with a black lacquered visor. The cap badges were of the same kind as worn on peaked cap m/1960. Branch, unit and rank insignias were worn in a similar way as on uniform m/1960. The service dress uniform m/1968 was worn by Sergeants (Swe: Furir) and higher ranks and was in use until 1994. It wasn’t worn by private soldiers.

Service Dress Uniform m/1987

A new service dress uniform was enacted in 1987, m/1987. This uniform replaced the former uniforms; m/1960 and m/1968. The m/1987 has a similar cut as the m/1960 uniform and is produced in 4 models: • m/1987, Dark blue (base model). Worn by the Air Force and Amphibious Corps. • m/1987A, Steel-gray. Worn by the Army. • m/1987K, Khaki (beige). Worn by the Army and Air Force in tropical and subtropical environments. • m/1987V, White. Worn by the Navy in tropical and subtropical environments. The Navy is not using this service dress uniform except for m/1987 White in tropical and subtropical environments. Instead the Navy is using service dress uniform m/1948. The dark blue m/1987 is used by the Amphibious Corps (the former Coast Artillery). Within the Amphibious Corps the m/1987 is only used by enlisted men and lower ranked NCOs. Officers and specialist officers are wearing the m/1948 uniform (Same as the navy m/1948). Coat m/1987 is dark blue, single-breasted with four buttons, equipped with shoulder straps and two breast pockets and two side pockets, all with flaps. Rank insignias are worn on the shoulder straps. The branch insignia is worn on the right-hand side of the chest. Short jacket m/1987 is a dark blue short jacket reaching down to the waistline. It is equipped with two flapped breast pockets and shoulder straps. The jacket is done with 4 hidden buttons. Trousers m/1987 are dark blue and equipped with two side pockets and a hip pocket. Greatcoat m/1987 is dark blue, and 3/4 long, lined, double-breasted with 4 buttons in each row and equipped with shoulder straps and two side pockets. The image to the right shows a soldier of the Amphibious Corps wearing uniform m/1987 with the green beret and the trident on the chest. Wikipedia. Peaked cap m/1948 is worn by officers and NCOs. Enlisted men wear the green beret m/1960 to uniform m/1987. However, Officers and NCOs can wear the beret too. White shirt m/1978 is worn with uniform m/1987.

Service Dress Uniform m/1948

The Navy uniform m/1948 are, to some extent, also used by the Amphibious Corps (officers and specialist officers), for example jacket m/1948 and peaked cap m/1948. Jacket m/1948 (Innerkavaj) is made of dark blue cloth, double-breasted with 4 buttons in each row. Rank insignias are worn on the cuffs. Rank insignias are worn on the cuffs. Further, blue long trousers m/1948. headgear is peaked cap m/1948. Footwear is shoes m/1903 and black socks. The image to the right shows the Amphibious Corps jacket m/1948 for a major. The rank insignias are worn on the cuffs. Digitalmuseum. Millseum. The image to the right shows the Amphibious Corps peaked cap m/1948, officer. Note the crossed cannon barrels s in the badge. Digitalmuseum. Millseum.

Rank insignias as of 2009

The Coast Artillery was established in 1902 and their rank insignias were between 1902 and 1942 in shape and form very similar to the Navy rank insignias. However, the officer’s loop in the Coast Artillery was oval (“an onion”) while the Navy loop is circular. On the other hand, the titles of the ranks in the Coast Artillery were similar to the ones used by the army, for example Major, Lieutenant Colonel, etc. In 1942 when the Coast Artillery adopted the army’s battle dress uniform, they also adopted the army rank insignias. The Coast Artillery was disestablished in 2000 and reorganized into the Amphibious Corps. The Amphibious Corps readopted the rank insignias the former Coast Artillery wore between 1902 and 1942, i.e. rank insignias similar to the Navy’s rank insignias. Like before the officer’s loop in the Amphibious Corps is oval (“like an onion”) while the Navy loop is circular. The titles of the ranks in the Amphibious Corps is still similar to the ones used by the army. The Navy and Amphibious Corps rank insignias were adjusted in 2003 to better correspond to international insignias. Further adaptations were done in 2009 which lead to changes both to insignias and ranks. The rank Sergeant First Class was then added to the rank system of the Amphibious Corps. Rank insignias of the Amphibious Corps as of 2009:

Battle Dress Uniform 90

A new combat uniform system was introduced in the beginning of the 1990s, Combat uniform 90 (m/1990), replacing the former combat uniforms m/1958 and m/1959. This was the first combat uniform with a camouflage pattern used by the Swedish Armed Forces. Combat uniform 90 is both a summer and a winter uniform. The uniform was officially enacted in 1990 but many units were equipped with this uniform during the second half of the 1980s. Uniform 90 has zippers instead of buttons. There are ancillaries such as waterproofs, rubber boots and thermals. The jacket is worn without a field belt. The uniform can be used as a troop parade uniform. The image to the right shows jacket m/90. Photo Krister Lihdén. Combat uniform 90 is also made in a tropical model for service in tropical regions abroad. The different models of combat uniform 90: • Combat Uniform 90. Combat uniform 90 is the base combat uniform of the Swedish Armed Forces and is intended for both summer and winter use. The uniform 90 also includes thermal winter wear such as quilted jacket and trousers offering highest levels of comfort and warmth. • Field Uniform 90 Lätt (Light). The summer model of the uniform. Field Jacket 90 Light is worn over a T-shirt and the jacket sleeves may, when needed, be rolled up over the elbows. Both jacket and the trousers are made of a thinner fabric. Field hat 90 is issued for services in tropical and subtropical areas as a sun-shield. Field uniform 90 Light is not a battle dress. • Combat Uniform 90 Pansar (P) - Armored troops Combat uniform 90 Pansar is used by tank and combat vehicle crews. Combat Jacket 90 Pansar is a short waist length jacket and equipped with pockets on the sleeves. Combat Trousers 90 Pansar is equipped with pockets also on the lower parts of the legs for easy access in armored vehicles. • Combat Uniform 90 Tropik Beige (TR BE) - Tropical Beige Combat uniform 90 Tropical Beige is used for service in desert regions and the uniform model used by Swedish troops in Afghanistan. This uniform model is not for use within Sweden. • Combat Uniform 90 Tropik Grön (TR GR) - Tropical Green Combat uniform 90 Tropical Green is for service in tropical or subtropical regions. This model is a complete system of uniform articles specially adapted for service in jungles or similar areas. Combat jacket 90 tropical is normally worn over a T-shirt and the jacket sleeves may, when needed, be rolled up over the elbows. Field hat 90 Tropical is worn as a sun-shield. This uniform model is not for use within Sweden. • Combat Uniform 2002 Attackdykare (ADYK) - Special Operations Combat Uniform 2002 is a uniform used by special operations forces. This uniform model is developed to work with the uniform articles of the base uniform. Combat Jacket 2002 Special Operations is a hard-shell jacket made of a water-repellent fabric. The fabric's hydrophilic coating wicks away perspiration. Combat Trousers 2002 Special Operations are like the jacket made of a water-repellent fabric and wicks away perspiration. Combat Jacket 90 has a raglan cut and made of warp satin fabric with camouflage patterns. The jacket is closed with a two-way zipper. Below and around the waist is a drawstring. The sleeves are reinforced on the elbows. Collar tabs m/1958 with rank and branch insignias are worn on the tips of the collar. Nationality insignia m/1994 (The Swedish flag) is worn on the left upper sleeve and below the nationality insignia is the unit insignias affixed. Combat Trousers 90 is made of the same material and camouflage pattern as the jacket. The bottom of the legs is reinforced with nylon canvas with a vent equipped with zip fasteners. The knees of the trouser legs are reinforced. Combat shirt 90 is made of olive-green fabric with a collar, long sleeves and a short zipper. Peaked Cap 90 is a soft peaked cap similar to peaked cap m/1959 but made in the same camouflage pattern as the uniform itself. Combat Boots 90 and winter boots 90 are both made of special tanned cattle skin with a die-casted oil-resistant shock absorbing soles of polyurethane. The winter boots have a thicker insulation in sole and upper parts. The sole of the winter boots is thicker and adapted to work with ski bindings. Combat helmet 90 is replacing the former helmet m/1937-1965. Combat helmet 90 is a modern helmet made of ballistic fiber/para-aramid, a type of Kevlar. The helmet has a good ballistic protection and shock resistance. The weight is 1.4 Kg (3.1 lb). The image to the right shows a soldiers wearing battle dress uniform 90 (Fältuniform 90).

Related Links

• The Swedish Navy • The Army Fleet (Galley Fleet) • The Navy Allotment System • Cabin Boys (Skeppsgossekåren) • The History of the Swedish Coast Artillery • Army Uniforms • Air Force Uniforms • Military Uniforms of the Swedish Women’s Voluntary Defense Service • Source References Top of page