After the disaster in the Russo-Japanese War, one of the many reforms of the Russian Army dealt with the uniforms and equipment of the troops. So when WW1 started the Russian infantry had been given a much more practical outfit and much lighter field kit. The new uniform (which was a sort of green-ish khaki from 1908) incorporated a military version of the traditional Russian pull-over shirt-tunic, the so called gymnastiorka, trousers with a semi-breeches type cut, and a visored peaked cap badged with a oval shaped cockade in the Romanov colours of black, white and orange. Note that the shade of green-ish khaki varied a lot, especially after heavy use and many washes, sometimes into light brown, sometimes into a very light green-brown. The breeches were cut to fit inside the long boots. They were dark green for infantry and other dismounted troops. Cavalry officers wore blue-grey. However, khaki trousers became more end more common during the war, up to a point when they became almost standard issue. In cold weather a long, doublebreasted greatcoat was used – it was blue-grey for officers and grey-brown for the others. In this weather the peaked cap was substituted for the famous M1910 shhepskin cap, papakha, made by either natural or artificial fleece in a grey-beige color.
The basic uniform and equipment worn by the British soldier during the 1916-18 period differed little from the Infantryman of 1914-15. Service Dress and 1908 webbing equipment were commonplace, although the large pack was normally only worn on the march, and rarely in the trenches themselves. It was never worn in battle, or carried into an attack. The Service Dress peaked cap was still worn, and as since the Winter of 1914/15 the internal stiffener had been taken out and it was usually worn 'floppy' (much to the chagrin of RSMs!)
In 1914 uniforms, equipment and tactics for the average infantryman had changed little since the FrancoPrussian War of 1870-71. Troops still wore the blue serge Kepi (cap), tunic and greatcoat, and red trousers. Personal equipment was made of leather, and cumbersome and heavy compared to many European armies of the day. The standard rifle was the 8mm Lebel; certainly an improvement on the rifles used in the Franco-Prussian War, but a long unwieldy beast, with a long spiked bayonet which, when fitted, meant that the weapon usually towered over the average soldier.
German Army NCO's field grey woollen peaked service cap (dienstmutze). The cap has red piping in the seam between the panel that forms the crown and the panels below it. It has a metal national cockade on the front near the top but the state cockade that should be below it is missing. The red silk hat band has been covered by another, which is made from grey cotton, and is secured at the back with a long narrow vertical buckle. There is a small black button on both sides, just behind the rear most point of the black patent leather peak. A chin strap should be attached to the buttons but it is missing. The headband is made from brown rubberised canvas. The cap is lined with blue polished cotton.
Khaki tunic with button down epaulettes and a four button front. Patch pockets on the breast with flaps and exposed buttons. Internal pockets on the skirt with external flaps and exposed buttons. All buttons are gilt and feature the US eagle in relief. Sleeves have the rank of Master Sergeant First Grade and on the shoulder of the left is the patch of the 41st Infantry Division. On the lower cuff of this sleeve are four bars in gold wire with a green service chevron below at an angle of 45 degrees. On the left lapel is the circular gold insignia for the Infantry and on the right US. Above the left breast pocket is three rows of seven ribbon bars with the Combat Infantryman badge above. Over the right breast pocket is the cloth badge for service rendered after 8th September 1939.