Unknown WWI Uniform

[BobTLA]

Hello,

I'm new here so I hope someone can help. I've been trying to find out for years what army this WWI uniform is from. It's from my grandfather. It may be German, Russian or something else, I'm sure someone here would know.

Any info on the insignias or medals he's wearing would be great as well.

Thanks a Bunch!!

Blouse 256.jpg

Hat.jpg

[Shiiadra]

The uniform is definetely Russian imperial, before WWI (1907-1914), infantry I think. The stripes on the shoulders mean your grandfather was a musician.
If you could scan the medals and the breast badge (it may be the Regimental one) more detailed, I could ask the Russian historians.

[BobTLA]

Thanks so much for the info. It does bring up a couple of questions if you don't mind.

My grandfather was a German. Any idea why he would have been in the Russian Imperial Army at that time?

Is that an Iron Cross on his left side? How would a Russian soldier have an Iron Cross?

My grandfather knew how to play a horn. Is it possible he was a bugler for his company having the musician patches on his shoulders?

I was told he was wounded. Was there any wars going on during Imperial Russia? Would someone in the Imperial Army have ended up in the Russian Army for WW1 or maybe gone to the German Army?

I'm working on a closer scan of the medals but the picture I have isn't much clearer than what I posted.

Thanks again!!

[Shiiadra]

My grandfather was a German. Any idea why he would have been in the Russian Imperial Army at that time?

There were lots of Germans in the Russian Empire - they inhabited mostely Finland, Baltic region, Saratov region,
Many of them served in the Russian Imperial Army .

Is that an Iron Cross on his left side? How would a Russian soldier have an Iron Cross?

I would say the badge (or decoration) look like Virtuti Military - shaped order, but it it could be as well the Regimental badge. If the scan will give the larger image I can look in the catalogue or ask my colleagues.

My grandfather knew how to play a horn. Is it possible he was a bugler for his company having the musician patches on his shoulders?

Sure.

Was there any wars going on during Imperial Russia?

There was a Chinese war of 1900-1901 (the Russian intervention into the Boxer Rebellion) and the well-known Russian-Japanese war of 1904-1905. And, of course, the WW1. Most probably, your grandfather was wounded in one the two last wars.

Would someone in the Imperial Army have ended up in the Russian Army for WW1 or maybe gone to the German Army?

The Russian army of WW1 remained imperial (until 1917), so he could serve in the Russian army during WW1 as well.

[BobTLA]

Here's a zoom in of the medals, scanned HQ, brightened & sharpened as best as I can get. Don't think it helps at all.

Medals.jpg

[Shiiadra]

For it appeared impossible to determine the breast Regimental badge and the colors on the photo, all we can say about your grandfather's uniform is: a) the photo was taken in 1912-1913; b) it is an infantry (black) uniform of a musician, probably from the first Regiment of the division (but the number of the Regiment or the division is unknown); c) the first medal (from the left) is most likely for the 100th annyversary of the War of 1812; the second one is unknown.

[BobTLA]

Thanks so much for the info. It's alot more than I had before I started and answers alot of questions. I keep looking and asking if anyone in the family has ever seen the medals. If I come across them I'll try to post better pics of them.

Thanks Again!!

[kgrueneichcarey]

Dear Bob,
There are 2 USA societies for Germans from Russia, if you know anything about your grandfather's names and immigration dates...
1) GRHS -- http://www.grhs.org/ -- mostly for settlers in the Bessarabia (Black Sea) region
2) AHSGR -- http://www.ahsgr.org/ -- for G-Rs who settled farther north in Saratov region
GOOD LUCK!!

[HFK]

Hello Bob, Since your grandfather wore "swallows nests" on his shoulders he was a musician, plus maybe being a bugler. Those who were only buglers, were not considered musicians per se, and did not wear those thingies on the shoulders which, by the way, were easily removable. Best Regards, Harry