This article deals with the rank insignia of the Austro-Hungarian Army, as worn by the Austro-Hungarian Army after the reorganisation in 1867 until 1918.
In the Austrian army rank insignia are traditionally called Paroli (pl. Parolis) and are worn as gorget patch or collar tap, appliquéd to the gorget fore-part of the uniform coat, uniform jacket and/or battle-dress.
Austro-Hungarian Army
Paroli (rank insignia) 1867–1918
with celluloid distinction star and Edelweiss badge
Stabsfeuerwerker with silk distinction stars (1914–18)
The rank or distinction stars of enlisted personnel and non-commissioned officers (NCO) were made from white celluloid, those of the ranks Feldwebel and Stabsfeldwebel have been made from white silk since 1914. The rank stars of the junior officer ranks normally consisted of relief metal.[1] Pertaining self procured uniforms, embroidered (from metallic fibre) rank stars might have been selected. The embroidered version was mandatory for staff officer ranks from major (OF3[2]) onwards.[3]
For all other k.k. badges of the Austrian-Hungarian mountain corps from OR1-rank[4]Jäger (en: hunter/ private) to the OF5-rank[2]Oberst (en: colonel)
Even on the field shirts, officer rank stars showed the button-colour of the uniform jacket.[5]
However, staff officers had additionally to wear a galloon on the uniform sleeve. If the galloon colour was silver, the colour of the buttons and the stars had to be golden and vice versa. On the galloon there was a serrated ornament. Generals wore always silver stars on golden galloon. From that derives, that the colour of the rank stars and galloons had nothing to do with the rank.
On coats rank insignias had never been worn. Officers of the so-called Kaiserschützen as well as of the "Landwehr infantry regiments number 4 and 27" (also Mountain infantry regiments 4 and 27) wore on their dress uniforms shoulder straps with the imperator´s insignias (not to be mixed up with the particular rank). For any rank description there had to be provided as well an equivalent expression in Hungarian language. Military units, who consisted mainly of Czech, Slovakian, and/ or Polish personal, used unofficially the rank term in their mother language. NCOs were counted to the enlisted personnel, and did not made up a separate rank group.
Cadet
The Cadet (Kadett), in its position as aspirant to the professional officer career, ranked as well to the enlisted rank group. The cadet ranks counted to the appropriate nominal rank, however, behind the next higher rank. E.g. the "Cadet-gefreiter" was counted for the Gefreiter, however, behind the Corporal, who himself was lower than the "Cadet-corporal".
The characteristic of the cadet ranks was the so-called distinction-galloon on the sleeve ends. It was similar to the feldwebel-galloon, however, from gold colour instead of emperor-yellow. The particular rank was added as well.
Designation
Performance 1908–1918
Rank insignia collar
Rank description
Kadett(en: Cadet)
Kadett(en: Cadet)
1908–1914
1914–1918 (with silk stars)
1908–1914 mountain infantry
1914–1918 (with silk stars)
(Hungarian)
(Hadapród)
Stabsfeldwebel
The ranks Stabsfeldwebel, Stabsoberjäger, Stabsfeuerwerker and Stabswachtmeister were introduced to the k.u.k. armed forces in 1913. Before it was equivalent to the Bezirksfeldwebel (en: District-Sergeant) of the Gendarmerie (as part of the Landsturm; in Austria Landwehr). To the Feldwebel–uniform the Stabsfeldwebel/Bezirksfeldwebel wore a headgear similar to the officers cap, however, without the characteristic golden officers distinction.
In 1913 the sleeve distinction consisted of a 1.3cm broad feldwebel-galloon made from imperator-yellow silk. Additionally three white rank celluloid stars were appliquéd. In June 1913 the rank insignia was changed. The galloon was now silver designed, and the rank stars were made from white silk and embroidered.
In 1915 the ranks Stabsfeldwebel/Stabswachtmeister und Offiziersstellvertreter (en: officer deputy) were summarised to the new rank group higher/ senior NCOs (höhere Unteroffiziere).
The officer aspirant (Offizieranwaerter (OA)/ Tisztjelölt) of the reserve undertook military training as a One-year volunteer (Einjaehrig-Freiwilliger (EF)/ Egyévi Önkéntesi). The distinguishing badge was an imperator-yellow silk square-galloon on the upper part of the cuff. In 1915 the galloon was removed after passing the final examination. It was replaced by the so-called bright “EF-button” to be worn on the collar. The EF-button was fixed behind the nominal rank stars, and was removed on promotion to first officer grade.
Designation
One-year volunteer with EF-button
Rank insignia collar
Rank description
Cadet One-year volunteer
Corporal One-year volunteer
(German)
(Kadett EF)
(Korporal EF)
Ensign
The rank „Cadet officer-deputy“ (Kadett-Offiziersstellvertreter) was renamed to Ensign (Fähnrich) in 1908. The service insignia was a map case, made from black coloured leather, and to be worn on the waist belt. More characteristics were the black officer's cap, however with imperator-yellow side ornament (instead from gold). The white celluloid star was replaced by a silver coloured star. Also in this year, the old term (rank) “Kadett-Feldwebel” was replaced by the new one Cadet (Kadett / Hadapród).
In addition to the gorget rank insignias, the so-called distinction, the individual rank was indicated by the yellow distinction-galloon on the parade headgear, called shako (Tschako, Csákó) a special version of helmet.
Gefreiter: Was to be identified with a yellow, black-carved 0.5 Austrian inch (~0.5cm) thick round cord
Corporal: Wore a 1.5 Austrian inch (~4cm) broad the yellow distinction-galloon (with zigzag trim ornament)
Zugsführer, Wachtmeister, and Cadet officer-deputy (Ensign): As to the corporal, however, concentric divided by a 1/24 Austrian inch (~1mm) small black stripe
The distinction galloons and pipings for enlisted ranks and NCOs were made from yellow sheep's wool, for Ensigns since 1908 from yellow silk, and for officers from gold yarn. Pertaining private procured special editions to enlisted ranks and NCOs, silk trims have been allowed as well.
The Waffenfarbe(en: corps colour) had to be in correlation to the appropriate military unit, branch, or branch of service.
k.u.k. Hussars (brick-red corps colour)
k.u.k. Hussars (dark-blue corps colour)
k.u.k. Hussars (light-blue corps colour)
k.u.k. Hussars (ash-grey corps colour)
k.u.k. Hussars (white corps colour)
k.u.k Artillery (black corps colour)
Enlisted men, NCOs, officer aspirants, and officer-deputies
(RK means the Rangklasse (Rank classification. As the k.u.k. Army was never a member of NATO, it did not use NATO Rank Codes)
Sergeant - Sgt) |Stabsführer| Fiscal Sergeant 2nd class | Weapon master 2nd class
no RK
Feldwebel / Őrmester|Wachtmeister|Feuerwerker|Oberjäger|Rechnungs-Unteroffizier I. Klasse|Waffenmeister I. Klasse|Beschlagmeister I. Klasse|Regimentstambour|Regimentshornist|Einjährig-Freiwilliger-Feldwebel|Kadett-Feldwebel (only until 1908)
3 white stars, 13mm yellow silk galloon
Master-sergeant | Cavaly master-sergeant | Artillery master-sergeant | Rifles master-sergeant | Fiscal Sergeant 1st class | Weapon master 1st class | Master-Blacksmith 1st class | Regiment drummer | Regiment bugler | Feldwebel - volunteer serving one year | Kadet-Feldwebel
Veterinarian junior grade/ Accessist / Assistant (civilian army branch)/ Teacher 2nd class (civilian army branch)/ Fencing-master 2nd class / Economy adjunct (civilian army branch)
Veterinarian assistant / Veterinarian / Pharmacist / Official (civilian army branch)/ Teacher 1st class (civilian army branch)/ Fencing instructor 1st class / Economy manager junior grade (civilian army branch)/ War economy commissioner (civilian army branch)
2 gold/silver embroidered star rosettes on 33mm gold/silver galloon
Extraordinary professor (civilian army branch)/ Major veterinarian / Major pharmacist 2nd class / Senior technical adviser / Senior artillery supply administrator 2nd class (civilian army branch)/ Senior financing consultant 2nd class (civilian army branch)/ Cashier`s office director 2nd class / Senior food administrator / Registry official director junior grade/ Economy director / Senior war economy consultant 2nd class
RK VII
Hofsekretär der Militärkanzlei Sr. Majestät / Sekretär der Militärkanzlei Sr. Majestät / Oberintendant 2. Klasse / Artillerie-Oberingenieur 2. Klasse / Militär-Bauoberingenieur 2. Klasse
2 gold/silver embroidered stars on 33mm gold/silver galloon
Court-secretary of the military office of His Majesty / Secretary of the military office of His Majesty / Senior director 2nd class / Senior artillery director 2nd class / Senior military construction engineer 2nd class
3 gold/silver embroidered stars rosettes on 33mm gold/silver galloon
Ordinary professor(civilian army branch) / Major pharmacist 1st class / Technical adviser 1st class / Senior technical adviser 1st class /Senior artillery supply administrator 1st class (civilian army branch)/ Senior financing consultant 1st class (civilian army branch)/ Registry director (civilian army branch)/ Cashier`s office director 1st class / Senior war economy consultant 1st class (civilian army branch)
3 gold/silver embroidered stars on 33mm gold/silver galloon
Section-consultant of the military office of His Majesty / Senior administrative officer of the military office of His Majesty / Senior director 1st class / Senior artillery engineer 1st class / Senior military construction engineer 1st class
Hofrat der Militärkanzlei Sr. Majestät / Generalintendant / Artillerie-Generalingenieur / General-Bauingenieur / Hofrat der Mil. Tierärztlichen Hochschule / Ministerialrat / Kriegwirtschafts-Generalrat
1 silver embroidered star on 33mm gold galloon
Court-consultant of the military chancellery office of His Majesty / General-indendant / Artillery general-engineer / Construction general-engineer / Court-consultant of the veterinarian high school / Superior counsellor in a ministerial department / War economy director-general
The embroideries of the collars of the ranks major to colonel were always in the same color as the tunic buttons (silver/gold). The rank stars were converse (silver embroidery - golden star(s)) The ranks lieutenant to captain had stars in the same color as the tunic buttons.
Gorget patches on the tunic of a k.k. Landwehr rifle
Gorget patch, Gefreiter machine-gun unit
In the course of uniform reorganisation pertaining the Imperial-Royal Landwehr (de: k.k. Landwehr), the service coat (Waffenrock or Uniformrock) of all enlisted personnel was substituted by a tunic (Bluse) in general. The rotary-coloured gorget patch was replaced by a standard gorget patch (Paroli) in grass-green with rank insignias. According to the special function, e.g. as member to a "machine gun unit", the Edelweiss on the gorget patch was additional.
Enlisted personnel insignia of Guards formations
In the Austrian-Hungarian armed forces there existed five guard units. In two of them served exclusively officer grades. The remaining three of them were called “Enlisted men guards” (Mannschaftsgarden).
Rank
Description of the rank insignia
German
English
Gardeinfanterist / Gardereiter
Guardsman / Guard trooper
15mm broad imperial yellow silk galloon; three white stars from silk; scarlet corps colour
Gardekorporal (Guard infantry)
Guard corporal
18mm broad imperial yellow silk galloon (divided by a 1mm broad black stripe); three white stars from silk; scarlet corps colour
Gardezugsführer (Guard infantry)
Guard sergeant
20mm broad imperial yellow silk galloon (divided by a 1mm broad black stripe); three white stars from silk; scarlet corps colour
2. Gardewachtmeister (Guard cavalry)
Guard master sergeant 2nd class
20mm broad imperial yellow silk galloon (divided by a 1mm broad black stripe); three white stars from silk; scarlet corps colour
Gardefeldwebel (Guard infantry)
Guard master sergeant
22mm broad imperial yellow silk galloon (divided by a 1mm broad black stripe); three white stars from silk; scarlet corps colour
1. Gardewachtmeister (Guard cavalry)
Guard master sergeant 1st class
22mm broad imperial yellow silk galloon (divided by a 1mm broad black stripe); three white stars from silk; scarlet corps colour
Vizesekonde-wachtmeister (2nd vice master sergeant of the companion life-guards)
There was no difference between the rank insignias of the officers in comparison to regular troops.
Estate riflemen troops
k.k. Estate riflemen units and companies were established in the 15th/16th century and did belong to the so-called Landwehr (en: home guard). However, k.k. Estate riflemen troops did not wear regular uniforms. After k.k. Estate riflemen troops had to be involved in 1915 to regular military engagement, the Austrian-Hungarian administration was forced to procure these units with regular uniforms. To emphasise the character and status of the Estate riflemen, they did wear slightly different rank insignias. Officer collar patches showed a gold embroidered rosette. Pertaining enlisted personnel and NCOs the rosette was silver embroidered. Because silver and gold embroidery was deficit, the rosettes were finally replaced by celluloid stars, as this was the case to regular troops. The rank insignias were fixed on the collar patches (Parolis) showing at the background the corps colour of the Riflemen infantry (also: Hunter-troops or Riflemen-troops; Jägertruppe) "Grass-green". Tyrolese collar patches showed the silver metallic "Tyrol eagle" behind the rosette/star. For the Vorarlberg estate riflemen the eagle was replaced by a white metallic shield with the "Vorarlberg coat of arms".
Major was the highest rank of the Estate riflemen troops.
As regards to military officials, there were in force exactly the same rules who applied to military officer ranks. However, military officials wore only four-leaved star rosettes instead of the rank stars (the only exception: officials with explicit star ranks!).
Fiscal officials (Rechnungsführer) in line service have been provided always with silver color buttons.
Further exemptions from the principal rule are described as follows
Military officials with port epée: Staff ranks wore a galloon with applied "cross-band ornament" (Kreuzbandmuster)
Military commissariat official: in the Common Army – golden color buttons; in the home guard (Landwehr) silver color buttons
Military construction engineers: in the Common Army – silver color buttons; in the home guard golden color buttons),
Military officials without port epée: Staff ranks wore a galloon with "waved cross-band ornament" (gewelltes Kreuzbandmuster)
Auditors: in the Common Army gold color buttons; in the Home guard silver buttons
Military surgeon officer corps: in the Common Army gold color buttons; in the Home guard silver buttons (with the appropriate variations of collar)
Rank class XII - here: Aspirant in the Railway regiment or Telegraph regiment
Rank class XI - here: Untertierarzt (Sub veterinarian)
Rank class X – here: Kassenoffizial (Cashier's official)
Rank class IX – here: Artilleriezeugs-oberoffizial (Artillery ordnance senior official)
Rank class VIII – here: Stabsapotheker (Staff pharmacist)
Rank class VII - here: Oberintendant 2. Klasse (Senior commissioner 2nd class)
Rank class VI - here: Oberverpflegs-verwalter 1. Klasse (Senior food supply administrator 1st class)
Examples
The gallery below shows examples of different kinds of Adjustierung (en: uniforms).
↑ Rank stars who consisted of relief metal were officially procured by the military administration
1 2 The abbreviation "OF" stands for "officer / officier"
↑ Austro-Hungarian Army staff officer ranks from major (OF3) onwards had to were embroidered rank stars
↑ The abbreviation "OR" stands for "Other Ranks / fr: sous-officiers et militaires du rang / ru:другие ранги, кроме офицероф"
↑ Officer rank stars basically showed the button-colour of the uniform jacket i.g. gold coloured or silver coloured respectively brass coloured or white alloy.
Sources
Schriften des Heeresgeschichtlichen Museums in Wien Das k.u.k. Heer im Jahre 1895, Edition Leopold Stocker, Graz, 1997 ISBN3-7020-0783-0
Rest, Ortner, Illming Des Kaisers Rock im 1. Weltkrieg, Edition Militaria, Vienna, 2002 ISBN3-9501642-0-0
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