Russian infantry uniform - Musée de la Grande Guerre

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The Museum of the Great War is closed to the public from 17 August to 4 September 2026 (inclusive). During this time, our teams are working behind the scenes on the museum’s collections and preparing for the new season. We look forward to welcoming you back on 5 September for the 1914–1918 Historical Re-enactment Weekend.

Russian infantry uniform

The Russian army adopted a new field uniform in 1907. In a khaki-like colour, it was made up of a soft cap bearing the emblem of the Romanovs, a simple, standing-collared traditional shirt, known as a gymnastyorka, knee trousers and boots.

In winter, Russian soldiers might also wear a bashlyk, a hood with long lappets, which was to be worn, according to regulations, when outside temperatures dropped below -5°C. It was worn so as to cover the head and headgear, and the lappets were tied across the chest.

A leather belt with a brass buckle marked with the two-headed eagle was used to attach two cartridge pouches in brown leather. The equipment was rudimentary: an individual entrenching tool, an aluminium canteen covered in cloth, an individual bowl in copper and a large canvas satchel known as a “kit bag”. The standard infantry rifle was the Mosin-Nagant 1891 with a quadrangular bayonet that generally remained fixed under the weapon.

Uniforme de fantassin russe, 1907 ©Bertrand Huet