The 1836 Ottoman Imperial Army

[ukturkcollector]

Extracted from the UK United Services magazine for 1836, the first British accounts of the newly organised Ottoman Imperial Army:
P414

P415

P416

[ukturkcollector]

This illustrates some of the uniforms of this period:

[Tosun Saral]

Sultan Abdülmecid devrinde (İstanbul, 23/25 Nisanl 1823 – İstanbul, 25 Haziran 1861) yeni kurulan ordunun bir alayına sancak verilirken.(1843-1844)

Sultan Abdülmecid (İstabull, 23/25 April 1823 –İstanbul, 25 June 1861) reorganizated the army accaording to European standards in 1843–1844. Presentation of a Standard to a newly founded regiment.
source: Toplumsal Tarih no. 164, 8/2007 by assistant Prof.Dr.Mehmet Hacısalihoğlu

[ukturkcollector]

[ukturkcollector]

Revised study of the earlier 1828 Ottoman Guard, cavalry, musicians, and cavalry:

[ukturkcollector]

I have been reviewing this collection of pictures - ON THE ORIGINAL WEBSITE/ILLUSTRATIONS THESE WERE ALL MISS-DATED 1830, 1840, 1845. And What I have deduced, from cross referencing these with other similar illustrations is that these show pictures of the Turk army in 1818, as well as 1828, and that the 1828 uniforms continued to be used when the headgear was replaced in 1832 with the Fez, that was made the official national headdress of the Ottoman Empire, in this year.

What I have also found is that at this time (up till 1828) individual Turkish regiments wore their own 'color' distinctive jacket and trousers. So you can see with the 'green' uniformed officer (with the red cloak) - at the end of the group in the first picture, actually is wearing the exact same uniform as the 'pink' uniformed figure.
This seems to explain why in these early illustrations (1818-1828), why we seen different colored uniforms. After 1832 blue is the only uniform color used. However, prior to 1828 the system was:
Red - Guards
Line regiments (so far seen) - White, Blue, Light Blue, Green, Dark Green, Pink, yellow. See pictures
(see next post)
The other surprise was the Polish Auxiliary soldier, in the Turk army over this 1828 period.

[ukturkcollector]

Line regiments (so far seen) - White, Blue, Light Blue, Green, Dark Green, Pink, yellow. See pictures




Another illustration of a a senior Artillery officer:


An Officer wearing the rank orders:


Finally, and illustration, where an 1818 period uniform and the distinctive ottoman -period rank buttons (used by the later Janissaries), still being worn in 1828/32:

[ukturkcollector]

This plate brings together six original prints, which were miss identified as 1840s Turk soldiers. I have added these to period illustrations of the rank orders used in the period, which can be identified on the illustrated figures.

[ukturkcollector]

I have identified this color plate, and added an enlarged illustration of what appears to be an 1828-32 Ottoman Army Flag (which is the first time I have come across one of these):

[Abadu]

I think this last one is supposed to be a cavalryman... It says somewhat like "regulanen cavallerie" on the Vinkhuijzen notes, and the uniform is similar to some cavalry ones from the Anne S.K. Brown Collection:
http://library.brown.edu/cds/catalog/catalog.php?verb=render&id=1304434329437500
http://library.brown.edu/cds/catalog/catalog.php?verb=render&id=1304435122109375

[ukturkcollector]

Might be, might not be. So far we have covered uniforms from:
1818.
1828.
1828, used in 1832.
What about after 1832?
Here are the two uniforms (from the Brown collection), I have altered this to include a repainted details of the second uniform collar, chest and cuff decorations):


We have one figure wearing a blue shell jacket, with red collar, cuffs and lapels piped white, which looks to be from 1839/40 period. The 'inserted' details from the other BROWN COL. illustration is a blue shell jacket, with blue collar (piped red), red cuffs and two chevrons in pink lace (with dark-red highlights), and the same lace used to decorate the chest.

Where as the earlier illustrations I have highlighted, have the same uniform - but with these details:
A. The green flag carrier - blue shell jacket, with blue collar, with red (with white highlights). The same lace used to decorate the chest, and cuffs.
B. The Admin officer - blue shell jacket, with blue collar, with red (with dark-red highlights). The same lace used to decorate the chest, and cuffs. However, also piped in dark green.

[ukturkcollector]

This combined illustration of the Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II, in his 1828-32 uniform with a Turkish infantry soldier from the 1832 till 1839 period (the end of Mahmud II reign), we see the starting adoption of a 'standard' uniform for the entire army, which became by the Crimean War (1854-56), the norm that all soldiers wear exactly the same uniform.

[ukturkcollector]

I think this last one is supposed to be a cavalryman... It says somewhat like "regulanen cavallerie" on the Vinkhuijzen notes, and the uniform is similar to some cavalry ones from the Anne S.K. Brown Collection:
http://library.brown.edu/cds/catalog/catalog.php?verb=render&id=1304434329437500
http://library.brown.edu/cds/catalog/catalog.php?verb=render&id=1304435122109375

This new plate helps explain these illustrations better. The Ottoman Turk Sultan, Officers, Cavalry all seem to have used 'British -styled patterned lace/tape (of various designs) bars on uniforms between 1832 and 1839. In 1839, as well, a very new type of uniform came into use, with officers and soldier wearing European uniform shell jackets, with facings; and the Sultan, as well as his officers being to wear the long skirted blue frock coat, which is common to all ranks and service branches (after this period - staying in use throughout the Crimean war), as well as the display of orders of rank badges:

[ukturkcollector]

Revised 1828-32 White Regt. illustration, showing Sergeant badge order:

[ukturkcollector]

Revised 1839 Uniforms with rank Badge orders: