'Report on the Persian Army' [‎81r] (161/170)

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Some regiments wear a scarlet tunic of thin baize with the
collar in black cloth; cuffs, epaulettes, and beading in black.
This is only used on special occasions.
The pantaloon is sometimes of blue cloth or more often of
blue Kerbaz. It is worn of full length to the ankle, with a
red band of five centimetres width on each side.
The boots.—Ankle boots for winter wear. In summer a
native shoe called giveh is often worn. The giveh is a
shoe without laces, upper part knitted of cotton, soles made of
rags beaten together with glue and stitched. Heels and toes
are strengthened with a slice of horse-hoof. With the uppers
strengthened by a half-inch band of leather stitched all round
the shoe, the walking life may last months.
There is also worn the old Turkish shoe of soft leather,
laced up and having the sole curved up over the toes.
For full dress parades and reviews long boots of Russian
pattern or black leather gaiters made in Persia are issued ;
both are exceedingly clumsy for infantry.
The great-coat is of brown felt with a hood of the same
material. It weighs heavily, is clumsy but warm, and is fairly
waterproof when new. It is only issued on rare occasions and
does not form a regular part of the soldier’s kit. Specimens
can be seen worn by the guards at the legations in Teheran
or at the Shah’s palace.
The equipment of the infantry consists of a belt and pouch,
water-bottle and haversack.
The belt is of varnished black leather with steel buckles;
the pouch of black leather, with a capacity for 30 rounds of
ball. It is worn on the left side.
The water-bottle and haversack are worn occasionally at
reviews held by the Shah or on active sevice. They do not
form part of the regular kit of the soldier.
The water-bottle is of tin covered with thin felt or kerbaz;
the haversack of kerbaz.
The kulah is similar to that worn by the infantry, except
that the cockade and band are in blue. On parade a plume of
black horsehair is attached.
The tunic is of the infantry pattern and material, with the
collar, cuffs, epaulettes, and beading in blue.
Some of the regiments wear a scarlet tunic, with the collar,
cuffs, epaulettes, and beading in blue. The material may be of
kerbaz or cloth.
The pantaloons are of the infantry pattern, generally tucked
away in long Russian boots. Many still wear the old-fashioned
baggy trousers, fastened round the waist with a band.
The boots are of long Russian pattern of black leather and
made in Persia.
The great-coat is similar in pattern to the infantry.
The haversack and water-bottle are of similar pattern to
those of the infantry.
A black belt and sword are carried by every artilleryman.
The kulah is known as the tabrizi and differs from the
Equipment
of infantry.
Uniform of
artillery.
Equipment
of artillery.
Uniform of
cavalry.