Rank insignia of the Austro-Hungarian armed forces

This article deals with the rank insignia of the Austro-Hungarian armed forces, as worn by the Austro-Hungarian Army after the reorganisation in 1867 until 1918.

Army forces

Edelweiss since 1907

The rank insignia of the Austro-Hungarian Army or ground forces (1867–1914) were always 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).

Major with silver galloon

The rank 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. 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) onwards.

For all other k.k. badges of the Austrian-Hungarian mountain corps from OR1-rank Jaeger (en: hunter/ private) to the OF5-rank Oberst (en: colonel) see also:
⇒ main article Imperial-Royal Mountain Troops (badges of rank)

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

However, staff officers had additionally to wear a galloon on the uniform sleeve. If the galloon colour was silver, the colure 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 Kaiserschuetzen 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 there 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 imperial-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-feldwebel) 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: Egyégvi Önkéntesi). The distinguishing badge was an imperator-yellow silk square-balloon on the upper part of the cuff. In 1915 the balloons 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		Fähnrich 1908-1918
Rank insignia collar
Rank description	Kadett-Offizierstellvertreter		Fähnrich
(Hungarian)	(Hadapród-Tiszthelyettes)		(Zászlós)

Shako

In addition to the gorget rank insignias, the so-called distinction, the individual rank was indicated by the imperial-yellow distinction-balloon on the parade headgear, called shako (de: Tschako) a special version of helmet.

• Gefreiter: Was to be identified with a imperial-yellow, black-carved 0.5 Austrian inch (~0.5 cm) thick round cord
• Corporal: Wore a 1.5 Austrian inch (~4 cm) broad the imperial-yellow distinction-balloon (with zigzag trim ornament)
• Zugsführe, Wachtmeister, and Cadet officer-deputy (Fenrik): As to the corporal, however, concentric divided by a 1/24 Austrian inch (~1 mm) small black stripe

The distinction ballons and pipings for enlisted ranks and NCOs were made from imperial-yellow sheep's wool, for Fenriks since 1908 from imperial-silk, and for officers from gold yarn. Pertaining private procured special editions to enlisted ranks and NCOs, silk trims have been allowed as well.

The corps colour had to be in correlation to the appropriate regiment, branch, or branch of service.

k.u.k. Hussars
(alizarian-red corps colour)

k.u.k. Hussars
(dark-blue corps colour)

k.u.k. Hussars
(light-blue corps colour)

k.u.k. Hussars
(ash-grey corps colour)

k.u.k. Hussars
(white corps colour)

k.u.k Artillery

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

Grade	Rank in German (Hungarian), equivalent in English	Rank insignia
OR-1	Infanterist (Honvéd)) / Jäger / Dragoner / Ulan / Husar / Kanonier / Pionier / Trainsoldat / Sanitätssoldat	nothing
	Private / Rifleman / Dragoon / Uhlan / Hussar / Gunner / Engineer / Trainmen/ Medical
OR-2	Gefreiter (Őrvezető) / Vormeister / Patrouilleführer	1 white star
	Gefreiter / Gunner 1st class / Rifleman 1st class
OR-3	Korporal (Tizedes) / Geschütz-Vormeister / Gewehr-Vormeister / Unterjäger / Bataillonstambour / Waffenmeister 3. Klasse / Bataillonshornist	2 white stars
	Corporal / Gunner-Corporal / Machinegun-Corporal/ Rifles-Corporal/ Battalion drummer / Weapon master 3rd class / Battalion bugler
OR-4	Zugsführer(Szakaszvezető) / Stabsführer / Kurschmied / Rechnungs-Unteroffizier 2. Klasse / Waffenmeister 2. Klasse	3 white stars
	(en equivalent: Master Corporal - MCpl) / Baton leader / Health smith / Fiscal Sergeant 2nd class / Weapon master 2nd class
OR-5	Feldwebel (Őrmester) / Wachtmeister / Feuerwerker / Oberjäger / Rechnungs-Unteroffizier I. Klasse / Waffenmeister I. Klasse / Regimentstambour / Regimentshornist / Einjährig-Freiwilliger-Feldwebel / Kadett-Feldwebel (only until 1908)	3 white stars, 13mm imperial-yellow silk galloon
	Master-sergeant / Cavaly master-sergeant / Artillery master-sergeant] / Rifles master-sergeant / Fiscal Sergeant 1st class / Weapon master 1st class / Regiment drummer / Regiment bugler / Feldwebel - volunteer serving one year / Cadet-Feldwebel
OR-6	Stabsfeldwebel (Törzsőrmester) / Stabswachtmeister / Stabsfeuerwerker / Stabsoberjäger	until 1914: 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
	1st Sergeant / Cavalry 1st sergeant / Artillery 1st sergeant / Rifles 1st sergeant
OR-7/OA	Kadett-Offiziersstellvertreter (Hadapród-Tiszthelyettes), cancelled in 1908	Golden galloon as to Feldwebel with 1 silver plated star
	Cadet officer-deputy
	established in 1908 Kadett (Hadapród) Einjährig-Freiwilliger Kadett	3 white stars (since June 1914 from silk) on 13mm gold galloon
	Cadet Cadet One-year volunteer serving one year
OR-8	Offiziersstellvertreter (Tiszthelyettes) since 1915	one 13mm silver galloon, above one 6mm galloon with one brass star
	Warrant officer
OR-9/OA	Fähnrich (Zászlós)	1 silver star on 13mm (since June 1914 from silk) on 13mm gold galloon
	Ensign

Officers and officials

Grade	Rank in German (Hungarian), equivalent in English	Rank insignia
OF1/XII	Praktikant (N.N.)	1 rosette with 13mm gold galloon
	Trainee
OF1/XI	Untertierarzt / Akzessist / Assistent / Lehrer 2. Klasse / Fechtmeister 2. Klasse / Wirtschaftsadjunkt	1 gold/silver embroidered star rosette
	Veterinarian junior grade/ Accessist / Assistant (civilian army branch)/ Teacher 2nd class (civilian army branch)/ Fencing-master 2nd class / Economy adjunct (civilian army branch)
OF1/XI	Leutnant / (Hadnagy) / Assistenz-Arzt / Leutnant-Rechnungsführer	1 gold/silver embroidered star
	Lieutenant / Assistant medical doctor / Fiscal lieutenant
OF1/XI	Tierärztlicher Assistent / Tierarzt / Apotheker / Offizial / Lehrer 1. Klasse / Fechtmeister 1. Klasse / Wirtschaftsunterverwalter / Kriegswirtschaftskommissär	2 gold/silver embroidered star rosettes
	Veterinarian assistant / Veterinarian / Pharmacist / Official (civilian army branch)/ Teacher 1st class (civilian army branch)/ Fencing instructor 1st class / Economy manager junior grade (civilian army branch)/ War economy commissioner (civilian army branch)
OF1/X	Artillerieingenieur-Assistent / Militär-Bauingenieur-Assistent	2 gold/silver embroidered stars
	Artillery assistant engineer / Military construction engineer assistant
OF1/X	Oberleutnant (Főhadnagy) / Oberarzt / Oberleutnant-Auditor / Oberleutnant-Rechnungsführer
	First Lieutenant / Assistant medical director / Auditor first lieutenant / Fiscal first lieutenant
OF2/IX	Tierärztliche Adjunkt / Obertierarzt / Oberapotheker / Oberoffizial / Oberlehrer / Oberfechtmeister / Wirtschaftsverwalter / Kriegswirtschafts-Oberkommissär / Forstverwalter	3 gold/silver embroidered star rosettes
	Veterinarian adjunct / Veterinarian senior grade/ Pharmacist senior grade/ Official senior grade (civilian army branch) / Teacher senior grade/ Fencing-instructor senior grade / Economy manager (civilian army branch)/ War economy first commissioner (civilian army branch)/ Forest-administrator (civilian army branch)
OF2/IX	Sekretär der Militärkanzlei Sr. Majestät / Unterintendant / Artillerie-Ingenieur / Militär-Bauingenieur	3 gold/silver embroidered stars
	Secretary of the military office of His Majesty / Director junior grade/ Artillery engineer / Military construction engineer
OF2/IX	Hauptmann (Százados) / Rittmeister / Regimentsarzt / Hauptmann-Auditor / Hauptmann-Rechnungsführer
	Captain / Captain cavalery / Regimental medical doctor / Captain auditor / Fiscal Captain
OF3/VIII	Stabsarzt / Stabstierarzt / Stabsapotheker / Technischer Rat / Rechnungsrat / Zahlmeister / Registrator / Artilleriezeugsverwalter / Verpflegsverwalter / Oberlehrer / Wirtschaftsoberverwalter / Kriegswirtschafts-Rat	1 gold/silver embroidered star rosette on 33mm gold/silver balloon
	Veterinarian senior grade/ Pharmacist senior grade / Technical consultant (civilian army branch)/ Financing consultant (civilian army branch)/ Paymaster / Registry official / Artillery supply administrator / Food administrator / Senior teacher / Senior economy administrator / War economy consultant
OF3/VIII	Sekretär der Militärkanzlei Sr. Majestät / Intendant / Artillerie-Oberingenieur 3. Klasse / Militär-Bauoberingenieur 3. Klasse	1 gold/silver embroidered star on 33mm gold/silver balloon
	Secretary of the military office of His Majesty / Intendant / Senior artillery engineer 3rd class / Military construction engineer 3rd class
OF3/VIII	Major (Őrnagy) / Stabsarzt / Major-Auditor
	Major / Surgeon / Major auditor
OF4/VII	Außerordentlicher Professor / Oberstabstierarzt / Oberstabsapotheker 2. Klasse / Technischer Oberrat / Artillerie-Oberzeugsverwalter 2. Klasse / Oberrechnungsrat 2. Klasse / Kassendirektor 2. Klasse / Oberverpflegsverwalter / Registratur-Unterdirektor / Wirtschaftsdirektor / Kriegwirtschafts-Oberrat 2. Klasse	2 gold/silver embroidered star rosettes on 33mm gold/silver balloon
	Extraordinary professor (civilian army branch)/ Major veterinarian / Major pharmacist 2nd class / Senior technical adviser / Senior artillery supply administrator 2nd class (civilian army branch)/ Senior financing consultant 2nd class (civilian army branch)/ Cashier`s office director 2nd class / Senior food administrator / Registry official director junior grade/ Economy director / Senior war economy consultant 2nd class
OF4/VII	Hofsekretär der Militärkanzlei Sr. Majestät / Sekretär der Militärkanzlei Sr. Majestät / Oberintendant 2. Klasse / Artillerie-Oberingenieur 2. Klasse / Militär-Bauoberingenieur 2. Klasse	2 gold/silver embroidered stars on 33mm gold/silver balloon
	Court-secretary of the military office of His Majesty / Secretary of the military office of His Majesty / Senior director 2nd class / Senior artillery director 2nd class / Senior military construction engineer 2nd class
OF4/VII	Oberstleutnant (Alezredes)
	Lieutenant colonel
OF5/VI	Ordentlicher Professor / Oberstabsapotheker 1. Klasse / Technischer Rat 1. Klasse / Technischer Oberrat 1. Klasse / Artillerie-Oberzeugsverwalter 1. Klasse / Oberrechnungsrat 1. Klasse / Registratur-Direktor / Kassendirektor 1. Klasse / Baurechnungsrat 1. Klasse / Kriegswirtschafts-Oberrat 1. Klasse	3 gold/silver embroidered stars rosettes on 33mm gold/silver balloon
	Ordinary professor(civilian army branch) / Major pharmacist 1st class / Technical adviser 1st class / Senior technical adviser 1st class /Senior artillery supply administrator 1st class (civilian army branch)/ Senior financing consultant 1st class (civilian army branch)/ Registry director (civilian army branch)/ Cashier`s office director 1st class / Senior war economy consultant 1st class (civilian army branch)
OF5/VI	Sektionsrat der Militärkanzlei Sr. Majestät / Regierungsrat der Militärkanzlei Sr. Majestät / Oberintendant 1. Klasse / Artillerie-Oberingenieur 1. Klasse / Militär-Bauoberingenieur 1. Klasse'	3 gold/silver embroidered stars on 33mm gold/silver balloon
	Section-consultant of the military office of His Majesty / Senior administrative officer of the military office of His Majesty / Senior director 1st class / Senior artillery engineer 1st class / Senior military construction engineer 1st class
OF5/VI	Oberst (Ezredes) / Oberstabsarzt 1. Klasse / Oberst-Auditor
	Colonel
OF6/V	Hofrat der Militärkanzlei Sr. Majestät / Generalintendant / Artillerie-Generalingenieur / General-Bauingenieur / Hofrat der Mil. Tierärztlichen Hochschule / Ministerialrat / Kriegwirtschafts-Generalrat	1 silver embroidered star on 33mm gold balloon
	Court-consultant of the military chancellery office of His Majesty / General-indendant / Artillery general-engineer / Construction general-engineer / Court-consultant of the veterinarian high school / Superior counsellor in a ministerial department / War economy director-general
OF6/V	Generalmajor / (Vezérőrnagy) / Generalstabsarzt / General-Auditor	1 silver embroidered star on 33mm gold balloon
	Brigadier-general
OF7/IV	Sektionschef	2 silver embroidered stars on 33mm gold balloon
	Section chief
OF7/IV	Feldmarschalleutnant (Altábornagy) / General-Oberstabsarzt General-Chefauditor	2 silver embroidered stars on 33mm gold balloon
	Major-general / General-Chief Surgeon General-Chiefauditeur
OF8/III	General der Infanterie (Gyalogsági Tábornok) General der Kavallerie (Lovassági Tábornok) Feldzeugmeister (Táborszernagy)	3 silver embroidered stars on 33mm gold balloon
	General of the Infantry General of the Cavalry General of the Artillery
OF9/II	Generaloberst (Vezérezredes) since 1915	3 silver embroidered stars, underlaid by a 40mm silver embroidery wreath on 33mm gold balloon
	Colonel-general
OF10/I	Feldmarschall (Tábornagy)	33mm gold embroidery with oak leaves directed below
	Field-Marshal

Members of the military personal status

Enlisted ranks OR1 to OR4

Bezeichnung	Enlisted men OR1/ private ranks
					File:Husar dklblau.png
Rank insignia
Rank description	Infanterist	Jäger	Dragoner	Ulan	Husar	Kanonier	Pionier	Trainsoldat	Sanitätssoldat
Branch	Infantry	Mountain infantry	Cavalry			Artillery	Military engineering	Supply	Medical corps
(English)	(Inantry man)	(Jäger)	(Dragoon)	(Lancer)	(Hussar)	(Gunner)	(Engineer)	(Private)	(Medical)

Bezeichnung	Enlisted men OR2/ private 1st Class ranks
			File:PatrouilleführerJäger.PNG
Rank insignia
Rank description	Gefreiter		Patrouilleführer		Vormeister	Gefreiter		Sanitätsgefreiter
	Machine-gun unit	Infantry
Branch	Infantry		Rifles	Cavalry	Artillery	Military engineering	Supply	Medical corps
(English)	(Private 1st class)		(Rifle 1st class)		(Gunner 1st class)	(Private 1st class)	(Private 1st class)	(Private 1st class)

Bezeichnung	Enlisted men OR3/ lance corporal ranks
Rank insignia
Rank description	Korporal k.u.k. Radfahrtruppe	Korporal k.u.k. Regimentsmusik	Unterjäger		Geschütz-Vormeister	Korporal	Korporal	Korporal
Branch	Infantry		Mountain infantry	Cavalry	Artillery	Military engineering	Supply	Medical corps
(English)	(Cpl k.u.k. cyclistes)	(Regimental musician corporal)	(Montain infantry corporal)	(Corporal)	(Gunner-corporal)	(Corporal)	(Corporal porter unit)	(Corporal)

Bezeichnung	Enlisted men OR4/ master corporal ranks
Rank insignia
Rank description	Zugsführer	Stabsführer	Rechnungs- Unteroffizier 2. Klasse	Zugsführer	Kurschmied	Waffenmeister 2. Klasse	Zugsführer	Zugsführer (Kraftfahrtruppe)	Zugsführer (Sanitätstruppe)
Branch	Infantry			Mountain infantry	Cavalry	Artillery	Military engineering	Supply	Medical corps
(English)	(Zugsführer)	(Baton leader military band)	(Viscal NCO 2nd class)	(Zugsführer)	(Health smith)	(Weapon master 2nd class)	(Zgf mil. engineering)	(Zgf vehicle troops)	(Zgf Medical corps)

NCO ranks OR5 to OR6

Designation	Feldwebel ranks OR5/ sergeant ranks
Rank insignia
Rank description	Feldwebel	Kadett-Feldwebel	Oberjäger	Kadett-Oberjäger	Wachtmeister	Kadett-Wachtmeister	Feuerwerker	Kadett-Feuerwerker	Feldwebel (Musikkorps)
Branch	Infantry		Mountain infantry		Cavalry		Artillery		Military band
(English)	(Master-sergeantl)	(Cadet master-sergeant)	(Rifles master-sergeant)	(Cadet master-sergeant )	(Cavalry sergeant)	(Cadet master-sergeant)	(Artillery master-sergeant)	(Cadet master-sergeant)	(Musician master sergeant)

Designation	Stabsfeldwebel ranks/ staff sergeant ranks
	1913-1914	1914-1918	1913-1914	1914-1918	1913-1914	1914-1918	1913-1914	1914-1918	1906-1918
Rank insignia				File:K.k. Stabsoberjäger.PNG
Rank description	Stabsfeldwebel		Stabsoberjäger		Stabswachtmeister		Stabsfeuerwerker		Militärkapellmeister
Branch	Infantry		Mountain infantry		Cavalry		Artillery		Military band
(English)	(1st sergeant)		(Rifles 1st sergeant)		(Cavalry 1st sergeant)		(Artillery 1st sergeant)		(Military bandmaster)

Higher Staff NCO-ranks and officer aspirant (OA) ranks

Designation	cancelled 1908		established 1908			1908-1918	1915-1918
Rank insignia
Rank description	Kadett-Offiziersstellvertreter		Kadett		Kadett Einjähriger-Freiwilliger	Offiziersstellvertreter	Fähnrich
English	Cadet officer-deputy		Cadet		Cadet volunteer serving one year	Warrant officer	Ensign
	OR-7/OA					OR-8	OR-9/OA

Officers

The different colors of the rank patches and buttons on the tunic are the marks for identifying the infantry regiments (except Generals)

Description			Rank		Insignia
German	Hungarian	English	class	OF	Army	Mountain infantry
Low grade officers
Leutnant also: Assistenz-Arzt Leutnant-Rechnungsführer	Hadnagy	Second lieutenant	XI	OF-1b
Oberleutnant also: Oberarzt Oberleutnant-Auditor Oberleutnant-Rechnungsführer	Főhadnagy	First lieutenant	X	OF-1a
Captains
Hauptmann also: Rittmeister Regimentsarzt Hauptmann-Auditor Hauptmann-Rechnungsführer	Százados	Captain	IX	OF-2		File:K.k. Hptm GebTrp 1906-18.png
Staff-Officers
Major also: Stabsarzt Major-Auditor	Őrnagy	Major	IIX	OF-3
Oberstleutnant also: Oberstabsarzt 2. Klasse Oberstleutnant-Auditor	Alezredes	Lieutenant colonel	VII	OF-4		File:K.k. Oberstlt GebTrp 1906-1918.png
Oberst also: Oberstabsarzt 1. Klasse Oberst-Auditor	Ezredes	Colonel	VI	OF-5

Note

The embroideries of the collars of the ranks major to colonel were always in the same color as the tunic buttons (silver/gold). The rank stars were converse (silver embroidery - golden star(s))
The ranks lieutenant to captain had stars in the same color as the tunic buttons.

Generals

Designation	Commander in chief and generals
	File:Kuk-A F10-FieldMarsh 1918.svg			File:K.u.k. Feldmarschall-Lt 1918.svg	File:K.u.k. GenMaj 1918.svg
Rank insignia
Rank description	Feldmarschall	Generaloberst	General der Waffengattung General der Infanterie General der Kavallerie Feldzeugmeister	Feldmaschalleutnant General-Oberstabsarzt General-Chefauditor   (equiv. Generalleutnant)	Generalmajor
English	Field-marshal	Colonel general	General of the branch General of the infantry General of the cavalry General of the artillery	Lieutenant field-marshal: also General-Chief Staff Surgeon General-Chiefauditeur   (equiv. Lieutenant general)	Major general
	OF-10	OF-9	OF-8	OR-7	OR-6
Rank class	I	II	III	IV	V

Gorget patches on the tunic of a k.k. Landwehr rifle

Gorget patch, Gefreiter machine-gun unit

In the course of uniform reorganisation pertaining the Imperial-Royal Landwehr (de: k.k. Landwehr), the service coat (de: Waffenrock or Unifiormrock) of all enlisted personnel was subsidized by a tunic (de: Bluse) in general. The rotary coloured gorget was replaced by a "gorget patch" (de: Paroli) in the particular corps colour and with rank insignias. According to the special function, e.g. as member to a "machine gun unit", the Edelweiss on the gorget patch was replaced appropriate.

Enlisted men guards

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).

Rank		Description of the rank insignia
German	English
Gardeinfanterist / Gardereiter	Guard infantry man / Guard trooper	15mm broad imperial yellow silk galloon; three white stars from silk; scarlet corps colour
Gardekorporal (Guard infantry)	Guard corporal	18mm broad imperial yellow silk galloon (divided by a 1mm broad black stripe); three white stars from silk; scarlet corps colour
Gardezugsführer (Guard infantry)	Guard sergeant	20mm broad imperial yellow silk galloon (divided by a 1mm broad black stripe); three white stars from silk; scarlet corps colour
2. Gardewachtmeister (Guard cavalry)	Guard master sergeant 2nd class	20mm broad imperial yellow silk galloon (divided by a 1mm broad black stripe); three white stars from silk; scarlet corps colour
Gardefeldwebel (Guard infantry)	Guard master sergeant	22mm broad imperial yellow silk galloon (divided by a 1mm broad black stripe); three white stars from silk; scarlet corps colour
1. Gardewachtmeister (Guard cavalry)	Guard master sergeant 1st class	22mm broad imperial yellow silk galloon (divided by a 1mm broad black stripe); three white stars from silk; scarlet corps colour
Trabanten-Leibgarde	Companion life-guards	18mm broad imperial yellow silk galloon (divided by a 1mm broad black stripe); three white stars from silk; ponceau-red corps colour
Vizeskondewachtmeister der Trabanten-Leibgarde	2nd vice master sergeant of the companion life-guards	20mm broad imperial yellow silk galloon (divided by a 1mm broad black stripe); three white stars from silk; ponceau-red corps colour

Gardeinfanterist
(Guard infantry man)

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.

Estate riflemen 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)
(Sergeant - Vorarlberg)

Leutnant (Tirol)
(2nd Lieutenant - Tyrol)

Oberleutnant (Tirol)
(1st Lieutenant - Tyrol)

Hauptmann (Vorarlberg)
(Captain - Vorarlberg)

Major (Tirol)
(Major - Tyrol)

Military officials

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 acceptation: officials with explicit star ranks!).

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

Further exemptions from the principal rule are described as follows

• Military officials with port epée: Staff ranks wore a gallon with put on "crucial 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 crucial 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)

Examples

k.u.k. Patroilleführer, Feldjäger
(k.u.k. Rifleman 1st class, light infantry)

Korporal der Husaren
(Corporal of then 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)
(Fenrik, German uniform)

Oberleutnant der Landeschützen
(1st Lieutenant Territorial Infantry)

Hauptmann im Generalstab
(Captain in the general staff)

Hauptmann (Deutsche Uniform)
(Captain, German uniform)

Stabsoffizier
(Staff officer)

Feldmarschall Österr.-Ungarn.png

Feldmarschall Gala
(Field marshal Gala tunic)

Verpflegsakzessist
(Food supply accessionist/ Official)

Austro-Hungarian Navy

For the rank insignias and ranks in the Austro-Hungarian Navy see:
⇒ see main article Ranks in the Austro-Hungarian Navy

Sources

• Schriften des Heeresgeschichtlifhen 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