Austrian knot
Encyclopedia
An Austrian Knot is an elaborate design of twisted cord or lace
worn as part of a dress uniform
, usually on the lower sleeve. It is usually a distinction worn by officers; the major exception is the hussar
s, in which Austrian knots are worn by all ranks. British
Cadet Under Officer
s wear Austrian Knots as part of their rank insignia.
in the 18th century. Epaulette
s were widely perceived amongst the government in Vienna
as a foreign influence (due to their French
origin) and thus not acceptable for the Austrian armies. Ranks came to be denoted by braided gold cords on the sleeve, with the number of gold cords representing the rank of the officer. Austrian knots did not gain popularity among other European nations until the last decades of the nineteenth century, when many colonial officers began wearing them (including British
infantry officers of the Anglo-Zulu War
s). Along with most other elaborate and conspicuous indicators of rank, Austrian knots fell into disuse during the First World War and were not revived in everyday wear. French officers of North African regiments such as the Zouaves and the Algerian Tirailleurs continued however to wear Austrian knots in gold braid on their colourful full dress uniforms until 1939.
, Confederate
officers often wore gold Austrian knots on their uniforms. More elaborate braiding indicated higher rank. This type of insignia was worn by officers of the US Army on the sleeves of the blue full dress uniforms authorised until 1917. It is a feature of the blue mess dress
uniform adopted as optional wear for officers in 1937 and still worn for formal social or evening functions.
Lace
Lace is an openwork fabric, patterned with open holes in the work, made by machine or by hand. The holes can be formed via removal of threads or cloth from a previously woven fabric, but more often open spaces are created as part of the lace fabric. Lace-making is an ancient craft. True lace was...
worn as part of a dress uniform
Uniform
A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates...
, usually on the lower sleeve. It is usually a distinction worn by officers; the major exception is the hussar
Hussar
Hussar refers to a number of types of light cavalry which originated in Hungary in the 14th century, tracing its roots from Serbian medieval cavalry tradition, brought to Hungary in the course of the Serb migrations, which began in the late 14th century....
s, in which Austrian knots are worn by all ranks. British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Cadet Under Officer
Under Officer
Under Officer is an appointment held by senior cadets at some Commonwealth officer training establishments and in University Officers' Training Corps in the United Kingdom, and also a rank used in some Commonwealth cadet forces.-Australia:...
s wear Austrian Knots as part of their rank insignia.
History
The Austrian Knot evolved as an indicator of rank among officers of the Austro-Hungarian armyAustria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
in the 18th century. Epaulette
Epaulette
Epaulette is a type of ornamental shoulder piece or decoration used as insignia of rank by armed forces and other organizations.Epaulettes are fastened to the shoulder by a shoulder strap or "passant", a small strap parallel to the shoulder seam, and the button near the collar, or by laces on the...
s were widely perceived amongst the government in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
as a foreign influence (due to their French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
origin) and thus not acceptable for the Austrian armies. Ranks came to be denoted by braided gold cords on the sleeve, with the number of gold cords representing the rank of the officer. Austrian knots did not gain popularity among other European nations until the last decades of the nineteenth century, when many colonial officers began wearing them (including British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
infantry officers of the Anglo-Zulu War
Anglo-Zulu War
The Anglo-Zulu War was fought in 1879 between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom.Following the imperialist scheme by which Lord Carnarvon had successfully brought about federation in Canada, it was thought that a similar plan might succeed with the various African kingdoms, tribal areas and...
s). Along with most other elaborate and conspicuous indicators of rank, Austrian knots fell into disuse during the First World War and were not revived in everyday wear. French officers of North African regiments such as the Zouaves and the Algerian Tirailleurs continued however to wear Austrian knots in gold braid on their colourful full dress uniforms until 1939.
United States usage
During the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
officers often wore gold Austrian knots on their uniforms. More elaborate braiding indicated higher rank. This type of insignia was worn by officers of the US Army on the sleeves of the blue full dress uniforms authorised until 1917. It is a feature of the blue mess dress
Mess dress
Mess dress is the military term for the formal evening dress worn in the mess or at other formal occasions. It is also known as mess uniform and mess kit...
uniform adopted as optional wear for officers in 1937 and still worn for formal social or evening functions.