Rank insignia of the Austro-Hungarian armed forces

Paroli (rank insignia) 1867–1918

with celluloid distinction star and Edelweiss badge

Stabsfeuerwerker with silk distinction stars (1914–18)

Major with silver galloon

The rank insignia – so-called Paroli – of the Austro-Hungarian Army (1867–1918) were worn on the fore-part of the sleeves for jackets, but never on shoulder straps of shirts, service jackets, and dress uniforms. They were identically for the Common Army as well as to the Imperial-Royal Landwehr. However, the mountain corps wore additionally an edelweiss since 1907 behind the distinction star(s).

The rank or distinction stars of enlisted personnel and non-commissioned officers (NCO) were made from white celluloid, those of the ranks Feldwebel and Stabsfeldwebel have been made from white silk since 1914. The rank stars of the junior officer ranks normally consisted of relief metal.[1] Pertaining self procured uniforms, embroidered (from metallic fibre) rank stars might have been selected. The embroidered version was mandatory for staff officer ranks from major (OF3[2]) onwards.[3]

For all other k.k. badges of the Austrian-Hungarian mountain corps from OR1-rank[4] Jäger (en: hunter/ private) to the OF5-rank[2] Oberst (en: colonel)

Even on the field shirts, officer rank stars showed the button-colour of the uniform jacket.[5]

However, staff officers had additionally to wear a galloon on the uniform sleeve. If the galloon colour was silver, the colour of the buttons and the stars had to be golden and vice versa. On the galloon there was a serrated ornament. Generals wore always silver stars on golden galloon. From that derives, that the colour of the rank stars and galloons had nothing to do with the rank.

On coats rank insignias had never been worn. Officers of the so-called Kaiserschützen as well as of the "Landwehr infantry regiments number 4 and 27" (also Mountain infantry regiments 4 and 27) wore on their dress uniforms shoulder straps with the imperator´s insignias (not to be mixed up with the particular rank). For any rank description there had to be provided as well an equivalent expression in Hungarian language. Military units, who consisted mainly of Czech, Slovakian, and/ or Polish personal, used unofficially the rank term in their mother language. NCOs were counted to the enlisted personnel, and did not made up a separate rank group.

Cadet

The Cadet (de: Kadett), in its position as aspirant to the professional officer career, ranked as well to the enlisted rank group. The cadet ranks counted to the appropriate nominal rank, however, behind the next higher rank. E.g. the "Cadet-gefreiter" was counted for the Gefreiter, however, behind the Corporal, who himself was lower than the "Cadet-corporal".

The characteristic of the cadet ranks was the so-called distinction-galloon on the sleeve ends. It was similar to the feldwebel-galloon, however, from gold colour instead of emperor-yellow. The particular rank was added as well.

Designation	Performance 1908–1918
Rank insignia collar
Rank description	Kadett (en: Cadet)		Kadett (en: Cadet)
	1908–1914	1914–1918 (with silk stars)	1908–1914 mountain infantry	1914–1918 (with silk stars)
(Hungarian)	(Hadapród)

Stabsfeldwebel

The ranks Stabsfeldwebel, Stabsoberjäger, Stabsfeuerwerker and Stabswachtmeister were introduced to the k.u.k. armed forces in 1913. Before it was equivalent to the Bezirksfeldwebel (en: District-Sergeant) of the Gendarmerie (as part of the Landsturm; in Austria Landwehr). To the Feldwebel–uniform the Stabsfeldwebel/ Bezirksfeldwebel wore a headgear similar to the officers cap, however, without the characteristic golden officers distinction. In 1913 the sleeve distinction consisted of a 1.3 cm broad feldwbel-galloon made from imperator-yellow silk. Additionally three white rank celluloid stars were appliquéd. In June 1913 the rank insignia was changed. The galloon was now silver designed, and the rank stars were made from white silk and embroidered. In 1915 the ranks Stabsfeldwebel/ Stabswachtmeister und Offiziersstellvertreter (en: officer deputy) were summarised to the new rank group higher/ senior NCOs (de: höhere Unteroffiziere).

Designation	Performance 1913–1914
Rank insignia collar
Rank description	Stabsfeldwebel	Stabsfeuerwerker Artillery	Stabswachtmeister Dragoon	Stabsoberjaeger Mountain infantry
(Hungarian)	(Törzsőrmester)

Designation	Performance 1914–1918
Rank insignia collar
Rank description	Stabsfeldwebel Stabswachtmeister	Stabsfeuerwerker Artillery	Stabsfeldwebel Railway regiment	Stabsoberjaeger Mountain infantry
(Hungarian)	(Törzsőrmester)

One-year volunteer

The officer aspirant (de: Offizieranwaerter (OA)/ hu: Tisztjelölt) of the reserve undertook military training as a One-year volunteer (de: Einjaehrig-Freiwilliger (EF)/ hu: Egyévi Önkéntesi). The distinguishing badge was an imperator-yellow silk square-galloon on the upper part of the cuff. In 1915 the galloon was removed after passing the final examination. It was replaced by the so-called bright “EF-button” to be worn on the collar. The EF-button was fixed behind the nominal rank stars, and was removed on promotion to first officer grade.

Designation	One-year volunteer with EF-button
Rank insignia collar
Rank description	Cadet One-year volunteer	Corporal One-year volunteer
(German)	(Kadett EF)	(Korporal EF)

Ensign

The rank „Cadet officer-deputy“ (de: Kadett-Offiziersstellvertreter) was renamed to Ensign (de: Fähnrich) in 1908. The service insignia was a map case, made from black coloured leather, and to be worn on the waist belt. More characteristics were the black officer's cap, however with imperator-yellow side ornament (instead from gold). The white celluloid star was replaced by a silver coloured star. Also in this year, the old term (rank) “Kadett-Feldwebel” was replaced by the new one Cadet (de. Kadett / hu: Hadapród).

Designation	Cadet officer-deputy until 1908		Ensign 1908–1918
Rank insignia collar
Rank description	Kadett-Offizierstellvertreter		Fähnrich
(Hungarian)	(Hadapród-Tiszthelyettes)		(Zászlós)

Enlisted men, NCOs, officer aspirants, and officer-deputies

(RK means the Rangklasse (Rank classification. As the k.u.k. Army was never a member of NATO, it did not use NATO Rank Codes)

Grade	Rank in German / Hungarian, equivalent in English	Rank insignia
		example	description
Gemeine	Infanterist / Honvéd | Jäger | Dragoner | Ulan | Husar | Kanonier | Pionier | Trainsoldat | Sanitätssoldat		without rank insignia
	Rifleman | Dragoon | Uhlan | Hussar | Gunner | Engineer | Trainmen | Medical
Charges	Gefreiter / Őrvezető | Vormeister | Patrouilleführer		1 white star
	Gunner 1st class | Rifleman 1st class
	Korporal / Tizedes | Geschütz-Vormeister | Gewehr-Vormeister | Unterjäger | Bataillonstambour | Waffenmeister 3. Klasse | Bataillonshornist		2 white stars
	Gunner-Corporal | Machinegun-Corporal | Rifles-Corporal | Battalion drummer | Weapon master 3rd class | Battalion bugler
	Zugsführer / Szakaszvezető | Kurschmied | Rechnungs-Unteroffizier 2. Klasse | Waffenmeister 2. Klasse		3 white stars
	Stabführer | Fiscal Sergeant 2nd class | Weapon master 2nd class
no RK	Feldwebel / Őrmester | Wachtmeister | Feuerwerker | Oberjäger | Rechnungs-Unteroffizier I. Klasse | Waffenmeister I. Klasse | Beschlagmeister I. Klasse | Regimentstambour | Regimentshornist | Einjährig-Freiwilliger-Feldwebel | Kadett-Feldwebel (only until 1908)		3 white stars, 13mm yellow silk galloon
	Cavaly master-sergeant | Artillery master-sergeant] | Rifles master-sergeant | Fiscal Sergeant 1st class | Weapon master 1st class | Master-Blacksmith 1st class | Regiment drummer | Regiment bugler | Feldwebel - volunteer serving one year | Kadet-Feldwebel
no RK	Stabsfeldwebel / Törzsőrmester | Stabswachtmeister | Stabsfeuerwerker | Stabsoberjäger		3 white stars, 13mm imperial-yellow silk galloon with 2mm broad black middle strap, 3mm above a 6mm braiding since June 1914: silver galloon with silk stars
	Cavalry 1st sergeant | Artillery 1st sergeant | Rifles 1st sergeant
no RK	Kadett-Offiziersstellvertreter / Hadapród-Tiszthelyettes, cancelled in 1908		Golden galloon as to Feldwebel with 1 silver-plated star
	Cadet-officer-deputy
	Kadett / Hadapród established in 1908		3 white stars on 13mm gold galloon since June 1914: 3 stars from white silk on 13mm gold galloon
	Cadet
no RK	Offiziersstellvertreter / Tiszthelyettes since 1915		one 13mm silver galloon, above one 6mm galloon with one brass star
	Officer deputy
no RK	Fähnrich / Zászlós		1 silver star on 13mm on 13mm gold galloon
	Ensign

In the Austrian-Hungarian armed forces there existed five guard units. In two of them served exclusively officer grades. The remaining three of them were called “Enlisted men guards” (de: Mannschaftsgarden).

• 
  Gardeinfanterist
  (Guardsman)
• 
  Gardereiter
  (Guard trooper)
• 
  Gardekorporal
  (Guard corporal)
• 
  Gardezugsführer
  (Guard sergeant)
• 
  2. Gardewachtmeister
  (Guard cavalry master sergeant 2nd class)
• 
  Gardefeldwebel
  (Guard feldwebel)
• 
  1. Gardewachtmeister
  (Guard cavalry master sergeant 1st class)
• 
  Trabanten Garde
  (Guard - Companion life-guards)
• 
  Vizesekonde-wachtmeister
  (2nd vice master sergeant of the companion life-guards)

There was no difference between the rank insignias of the officers in comparison to regular troops.

k.k. Estate riflemen units and companies were established in the 15th/16th century and did belong to the so-called Landwehr (en: home guard). However, k.k. Estate riflemen troops did not wear regular uniforms. After k.k. Estate riflemen troops had to be involved in 1915 to regular military engagement, the Austrian-Hungarian administration was forced to procure these units with regular uniforms. To emphasise the character and status of the Estate riflemen, they did wear slightly different rank insignias. Officer collar patches showed a gold embroidered rosette. Pertaining enlisted personnel and NCOs the rosette was silver embroidered. Because silver and gold embroidery was deficit, the rosettes were finally replaced by celluloid stars, as this was the case to regular troops. The rank insignias were fixed on the collar patches (de: Parolis) showing at the background the corps colour of the Riflemen infantry (also: Hunter-troops or Riflemen-troops; de: Jägertruppe) "Grass-green". Tyrolese collar patches showed the silver metallic "Tyrol eagle" behind the rosette/star. For the Vorarlberg estate riflemen the eagle was replaced by a white metallic shield with the "Vorarlberg coat of arms".

Major was the highest rank of the Estate riflemen troops.

• 
  Unterjäger (Vorarlberg)
  (Corporal - Vorarlberg)
• 
  Zugsführer (Vorarlberg)
  (Master corporal - Vorarlberg)
• 
  Leutnant (Tirol)
  (2nd Lieutenant - Tyrol)
• 
  Oberleutnant (Tirol)
  (1st Lieutenant - Tyrol)
• 
  Hauptmann (Vorarlberg)
  (Captain - Vorarlberg)
• 
  Major (Tirol)
  (Major - Tyrol)

As regards to military officials, there were in force exactly the same rules who applied to military officer ranks. However, military officials wore only four-leaved star rosettes instead of the rank stars (the only exception: officials with explicit star ranks!).

Fiscal officials (de: Rechnungsführer) in line service have been provided always with silver color buttons.

Further exemptions from the principal rule are described as follows

• Military officials with port epée: Staff ranks wore a galloon with applied "cross-band ornament" (de: Kreuzbandmuster)
  • Military commissariat official: in the Common Army – golden color buttons; in the home guard (de: Landwehr) silver color buttons
  • Military construction engineers: in the Common Army – silver color buttons; in the home guard golden color buttons),
• Military officials without port epée: Staff ranks wore a galloon with "waved cross-band ornament" (de: gewelltes Kreuzbandmuster)
  • Auditors: in the Common Army gold color buttons; in the Home guard silver buttons
  • Military surgeon officer corps: in the Common Army gold color buttons; in the Home guard silver buttons (with the appropriate variations of collar)

• 
  Rank class XII - here: Aspirant in the Railway regiment or Telegraph regiment
• 
  Rank class XI - here: Untertierarzt
  (Sub veterinarian)
• 
  Rank class X – here: Kassenoffizial
  (Cashier´s official)
• 
  Rank class IX – here: Artilleriezeugs-oberoffizial
  (Artillery ordnance senior official)
• 
  Rank class VIII – here: Stabsapotheker
  (Staff pharmacist)
• 
  Rank class VII - here: Oberintendant 2. Klasse
  (Senior commissioner 2nd class)
• 
  Rank class VI - here: Oberverpflegs-verwalter 1. Klasse
  (Senior food supply administrator 1st class)

The gallery below shows examples of different kinds of Adjustierung (en: uniforms).

• 
  k.u.k. Patroilleführer, Feldjäger
  (k.u.k. Rifleman 1st class, light infantry)
• 
  Korporal der Husaren
  (Corporal of the Hussars)
• 
  Einjährig-Freiwilliger, Korporal
  (Volunteer serving one year, Corporal)
• 
  Zugsführer (Ungarische Uniform)
  (Sergeant Hungarian uniform)
• 
  Stabswachtmeister (der Traintruppe) vor 1913
  (Cavalry 1st sergeant, train troops before 1913)
• 
  Stabsfeldwebel (ungarische Uniform) nach 1913
  (1st Sergeant, Hungarian Uniform)
• 
  Fähnrich (Deutsche Uniform)
  (Ensign, German uniform)
• 
  Oberleutnant der Landeschützen
  (1st Lieutenant Mountain Infantry)
• 
  Hauptmann im Generalstab
  (Captain in the general staff)
• 
  Hauptmann (Deutsche Uniform)
  (Captain, German uniform)
• 
  Oberst
  (Colonel)
• 
  Feldmarschall Gala
  (Field marshal Gala tunic)
• 
  Verpflegsakzessist
  (Food supply accessionist/ Official)

• Adjustierung

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Military uniforms of Austria-Hungary.

• Schriften des Heeresgeschichtlichen Museums in Wien Das k.u.k. Heer im Jahre 1895, Edition Leopold Stocker, Graz, 1997 ISBN 3-7020-0783-0
• Rest,Ortner,Illming Des Kaisers Rock im 1. Weltkrieg, Edition Militaria, Vienna, 2002 ISBN 3-9501642-0-0