Russian Cossacks Uniforms

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Introduction

Cossacks did not wear uniform but their clothes were well adapted for military purposes. Their clothes were strongly influenced by those of their eastern neighbours and usually included sheepskin hats, circassian caftan, short coat, baggy trousers and boots.

Description

Several variants can be seen on the images below and can relate to all cossacks of any cossack commonwealth.

Detail of an illustration depicting Cossack chiefs at the beginning of the 18th century

Here follows two examples of Starshina (administrative heads) belonging to the Don Cossack Host during the 18th century.

Detail of an illustration depicting a Starshina belonging to the Don Cossack Host at the beginning of the 18th century

Detail of an illustration depicting a Starshina belonging to the Don Cossack Host at the end of the 18th century

Cossack sotnias could be very colourful as depicted in the following illustration.

Detail of an illustration depicting Cossack on the March at the beginning of the 19th century

Viskovatov's work includes many illustrations depicting Malorussian Cossacks.

Detail of an illustration depicting a Yesaul (assistant commander) belonging to the Malorussian Cossack at the beginning of the 18th century	Detail of an illustration depicting a Polkovnik (colonel) belonging to the Malorussian Cossack at the beginning of the 18th century
Detail of an illustration depicting a Sotnik (commander of a sotnia) belonging to the Malorussian Cossack at the beginning of the 18th century	Detail of an illustration depicting a Malorussian Cossack at the beginning of the 18th century

Viskovatov's work also includes illustrations depicting Cossacks from various hosts and regiments.

Detail of an illustration depicting a Zaporozhje Cossack during the 18th century	Detail of an illustration depicting a Volga Cossack circa 1774
Detail of an illustration depicting a Don Cossack circa 1774	Detail of an illustration depicting Kizlyar and Astrakhan Cossacks circa 1774
Detail of an illustration depicting a Tobol (Siberian) Cossack circa 1774	Detail of an illustration depicting Mozdok (Terek) Cossacks circa 1774
Detail of an illustration depicting an officer of the Chuguev Cossacks circa 1774	Detail of an illustration depicting Azov and Taganrog cossacks circa 1774
Detail of an illustration depicting a cossack of the St. Dmiriy Fortress circa 1774