Object ID
F2014.83
Object Name
Photograph
Date Created
circa 1900
Object Description
Photograph of a moustached man wearing a military uniform. The photo is from mid-thigh and up. He holds his gloves, hat, and sword in his hand. Behind him are curtains and a small table. The photograph is in sepia and its upper right corner is missing. The back has traces of what appears to be some sort of sticking mechanism--it was probably glued to an album page at some point.
Origin
This man's uniform coincides with the uniform design of the Balkan Wars (1908-1915), the First World War and Greco-Turkish War (1915-1922), or the Second World War.
Following the humiliating defeat of 1897 by the Ottomans, the urgent need for modernisation was felt by both the Government and the Staff of the Greek Army. The idea of khaki uniforms was introduced, just few years after the British had introduced their service dress, making Greece one of the first countries to adopt a modern look for its military. The use of off-white and drab uniforms was already common for summer use of the officers, who traditionally had the option of choosing privately tailored items. It was soon expanded with the universal introduction of the 1908 model for other ranks.
This uniform included a near-copy of the British four-pocket tunic of the time, in olive green wool cloth or serge, with the addition of pipings and removable shoulder boards in branch-of-service colour cloth (Red: Infantry and Staff; Bright red-purple: Cavalry; Dark red-burgundy: Artillery; Light Blue: Engineers; Dark Blue: Gendarmerie). Brass-metal buttons were used for the majority of uniforms. The pants were straight with side pipings, designed to cover the ankle lace-boots, but in campaign the majority of soldiers found these cumbersome and used cloth puttees or stuffed them in their boots to hold them tight. A khaki single-breasted greatcoat was issued for winter.The black equipment was also replaced by a natural-brown leather set.
Following the humiliating defeat of 1897 by the Ottomans, the urgent need for modernisation was felt by both the Government and the Staff of the Greek Army. The idea of khaki uniforms was introduced, just few years after the British had introduced their service dress, making Greece one of the first countries to adopt a modern look for its military. The use of off-white and drab uniforms was already common for summer use of the officers, who traditionally had the option of choosing privately tailored items. It was soon expanded with the universal introduction of the 1908 model for other ranks.
This uniform included a near-copy of the British four-pocket tunic of the time, in olive green wool cloth or serge, with the addition of pipings and removable shoulder boards in branch-of-service colour cloth (Red: Infantry and Staff; Bright red-purple: Cavalry; Dark red-burgundy: Artillery; Light Blue: Engineers; Dark Blue: Gendarmerie). Brass-metal buttons were used for the majority of uniforms. The pants were straight with side pipings, designed to cover the ankle lace-boots, but in campaign the majority of soldiers found these cumbersome and used cloth puttees or stuffed them in their boots to hold them tight. A khaki single-breasted greatcoat was issued for winter.The black equipment was also replaced by a natural-brown leather set.
Rights and Reproduction
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Any other use, such as exhibition, publication, or commercial use, is not allowed except by written permission in accordance with the NHM Image Rights and Reproduction Policy.
For questions on image rights and reproduction, please contact nhmcollections@hellenicmuseum.org
Any other use, such as exhibition, publication, or commercial use, is not allowed except by written permission in accordance with the NHM Image Rights and Reproduction Policy.
For questions on image rights and reproduction, please contact nhmcollections@hellenicmuseum.org
Citation
Photograph, circa 1900, National Hellenic Museum, https://hellenic.whirlihost.com/Detail/objects/4675. Accessed 05/03/24.