'Report on the Persian Army' [‎81v] (162/170)

152
Equipment
of cavalry.
Issues of
clothing to
infantry and
artillery.
Issues to
irregular
cavalry.
General
remarks on
the clothing
of the army.
infantry pattern in being higher in the crown. This rule does
not always hold good, as the men are sometimes seen wearing
the low kulah. The usual badge of “ the Lion and the Sun ”
is attached, encircled by a wreath.
The material varies, white, grey, and black astrakan, sheep
skin, or felt being utilised according to the taste of the com
manding officer or the custom of the tribe.
Hats and caps :—
Bakhtiari, white felt, bowler-shape, brimless, rather tall.
Some Kurds, Kashkai, Shahsevan, and other Turkish tribes,
brown-black felt, bowler shape, brimless, high and low.
Turkomans, Kurds, Turkish tribes Azerbaijan, sheepskin,
long hair, soft and hard, large and small.
The tunic is generally of the old Persian pattern, pleated
at the waist and with a skirt reaching to the knees; some
times a red tunic is worn of kerbaz or cloth, of blouse
pattern.
The buttons are of white metal stamped with “ the Lion
and the Sun.” The facings and beading are of green.
The boots are of Russian pattern, of black leather, made in
Persia. Gaiters are sometimes worn of stout black leather.
Note that uniform as described above is principally for the
men. The officers do not wear kerbaz. Their tunics and
trousers are of cloth, sateen, alpaca, and other material as suits
their fancy. The uniforms of superior officers are again of
different material.
For equipment of cavalry, see Chapter III.
Theoretically every Persian soldier of the infantry and
artillery, whilst under arms, is by regulation supposed to
receive one suit of thick winter and two suits of light summer
uniform per annum.
The issue of such other articles as the great-coat, haversack,
and water-bottle is regulated by necessity. They are not con
sidered an essential part of the every-day working kit of the
soldier.
Practically each man receives just such uniform as suits the
convenience or the pocket of the Minister of War, the officers
of the clothing and the pay departments of the Army. On an
a\ eiage he receives one suit of summer clothing every year
or every two years. If the commanding officer of the regiment
has influence he may succeed in squeezing two summer suits
from the authorities, but such influence is exceptional.
Irregular cavalry dress as they like, only better class officers
affect uniform.
Uniforms are not supplied by Government.
For further details regarding the manufacture and supply of
of clothing vide Chapter VII, Clothing Department.
It will be readily gathered from the foregoing that the
system of supply, with its accompanying venality, peculation,
and inadequacy, prevents the soldier from appearing to
advantage, and does little justice to his physique or soldierly
bearing. A month after arrival in garrison his uniform is in