Editor's Note - this series of articles is taken from a book originally scheduled to be published by Partizan a few years ago. Pete, known for the inventiveness and proliferation of his wargames rules, felt that his job and other commitments precluded further research from original sources and thus produce a book to his usual standards. We felt that we couldn't let his research and Shaun Hart's excellent illustrations go to waste, so present them here as brief articles and uniform notes.]

The rise of the Russian army during the reign of Peter the Great mirrors directly the changes imposed upon the vast and backward country during the reign of this most extraordinary Tsar. In the course of the GNW, the Russian army evolved from a relic of the fifteenth century to become a huge force, organised on modern Western lines. During this coming of age, the armies of the Tsar had more than their fair share of disasters and spectacular defeats at the hands of their opponents, and yet showed that dogged tenacity that was to mark their performance in the years to come. The Russian soldiers were instrumental in bringing about a successful conclusion to the war, setting their country firmly on the road to becoming a Great Power, and helping to earn for their Tsar the accolade of "Great".

The problem that faces anybody wishing to describe the Russian army of the early eighteenth century is that information remains scarce, forcing the writer to make suggestions and generalisations where he would prefer to be specific and base conclusions upon facts. In keeping with the overall tone of this booklet, the information provided is aimed at the wargamer intent on building an army, and where facts arc uncertain, this is made clear in the text.

Russian Pikeman

This fellow was a constant companion to the two previous soldiers, forming a proportion of all Russian regiments, including those of the Guards.

In common with his compatriots, this soldier has left the top half of his coat unbuttoned, thus exposing his brightly coloured waistcoat worn below.

More GNW Uniforms: Russia

Introduction
The Foot
The Dragoons
Artillery
Infantry Colours (Chart)