Rumanian artillery 1885-1912

During the final period of bright-hued uniforms prior to 1914 dark brown was not a particularly popular color - too dull even when dressed up with contrasting facings. However there were a few examples - Portuguese cacadores, Austro-Hungarian artillery and train, Rumanian rifle battalions and artillery. The plate above shows the last-named in the uniform worn from 1885 to 1912 - when it was replaced by a grey-green field uniform introduced just in time for Rumania's almost bloodless intervention against the Bulgarians in the 1913 Second Bulgarian War.

I think these would be breechloaders. That guy is not loading; he's cleaning the barrel.

On the right.

Alas, no rear view of the tunic.

Thanks Mconrad.

Attached is a plate illustrating Romanian line infantry and cavalry in the 1890s - other branches of what was actually quite a variegated medium sized army. The red jacketed figures are Rosiori or line cavalry, as opposed to the Calarasi (territorial cavalry who roughly equated to the British Yeomanry). The Calarasi also wore hussar style uniforms but with dark blue dolmans braided in red. Regular cavalry regiments were distinguished by the colours of their busby bags.

The distinctive high-crested fur caps worn by the infantry were retained by the Romanian Army as part of their winter service dress during their disastrous intervention on the Allied side in World War I.