Uniforms of the Mexican Army
During the Revolution

The Federalist Army 1911-13 and
The Constitutional Army 1913-17

Figures 1 - 4: Two Generals, Col., Lt.

By C.A. Norman

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Figure 1: Divisional General, Ceremonial Uniform, c.1906 [after J. Hefter and photos] Black bicorne hat edged with gold scalloped lace and white ostrich feather "plumage", national red-white-green cockade with gold loop. Dark blue [blue-black] dress coatee with scarlet collar and deep round cuffs, scarlet piping down front opening and skirts, scarlet lining to the tails, gold buttons and embroidery on the collar and cuffs.

The epaulettes are entirely of gold embroidery with gold bullion fringe, the strap is lined black which shows as a narrow edging outside the scalloped embroidered edge; the devices are not entirely clear, but appear to consist of a silver embroidered Mexican eagle on the epaulette pad with rank stars above on the strap. The epaulette holding straps [or "passants"] at the shoulder seams are also in gold embroidery on a black backing; photographs show a variety of types in use, ranging from a narrow strap with a simple "corded" strip down the centre, to a wide one with a row of interlaced palm , laurel and olive branch embroidery in the centre surrounded by a gold embroidered frame.

The waist sash is of horizontal stripes of gold and sky blue silk, with gold knots and bullion fringe; the front of the sash and the cords just above the knots are circled by dark coloured [probably black] velvet "keepers" with gold edging and a row of gold palm, laurel and olive branch embroidery . Dark blue trousers with a gold lace stripe. White gloves. The sword is a ceremonial model with gilded hilt, ivory grip and steel scabbard; gold sword knot on gold cords.

This uniform was still in use under the Huerta regime in 1913. Photographs of this period frequently show the bicorne hat worn with the General's double breasted dress tunic [which was trimmed very similarly to the coatee]. Brigade Generals would be distinguished by a gold and green striped sash and no stars on their epaulets, the remainder of their uniform being identical, including the same embroidery on collar and cuffs. There are photographs of Presidents Diaz and Huerta wearing this uniform with two rows of embroidery on collar and cuffs, though officially there was no rank higher than Divisional General .

Figure 2: General Jesus Garza, Daily Service Dress, c.1913 [after a photo] Entirely dark blue kepi with gold lace chinstrap and horizontal and vertical lace stripes, the front device on the cap band is a silver Mexican eagle surrounded by a gold wreath, with a row of gold interlaced palm, laurel and olive branches circling the rest of the band. Entirely dark blue "undress" tunic with gold buttons, gold collar and cuff embroidery, epaulettes as for the last figure.

Light blue and gold striped sash with gold knots and gold on black embroidered "keepers", as for the last figure. Dark blue trousers with a red stripe [possibly a double stripe, not clear in photo?] . The General wears what appears to be a pouch belt or bandolier of polished white leather over the left shoulder, this could be conceivably in gold lace but it is not entirely clear.

Figure 3: Artillery Colonel, Model 1905 Full Dress, c.1907 [after J. Hefter] Black leather helmet with gilt fittings and "Mexican" eagle on the front, plume of black feathers [black horsehair for junior officers] . Dark blue tunic with crimson collar and three-button cuff flaps, the deep blue cuffs are edged with a crimson piping at the top and circled by 3 wide gold rank laces below, gold buttons. Gold "Prussian" style epaulettes with long gold fringe, silver rank stars on pad. Gold laced pouch belt and waist belt showing narrow edgings of the black backing leather. Red silk waist sash with gold knots and tassels. Dark blue trousers with gold lace stripe. White gloves, gold sword knot on black cords.

Figure 4: Infantry Lieutenant, Daily Service Dress, c.1910 [after photo] This officer wears a "hybrid" uniform of the Model 1905 combined with elements of the older Model 1893 uniform, a practise which seems to have been fairly common during this period. his dark blue kepi is of the most modern "Saumur" form [almost cylindrical with a slightly "clinched" waist, the top higher at the rear than the front] , with gold horizontal and vertical rank laces, gilt unit number on the front overlapping the rank laces [artillery, engineers and most services would have an arm-of-service badge in this position in place of the unit number], gold lace chin strap.

Dark blue "undress" tunic with red collar and cuff flaps, deep dark blue cuffs piped red at the top with 2 narrow gold rank stripes below, gold buttons. In place of epaulets he wears the old officer's shoulder straps: dark blue with an outer edging of red piping, an inner edging of gold lace and 2 narrow gold stripes up the centre of the strap. Dark blue trousers with a red piping, down the outer seam. White gloves, gold sword knot on black cords.

The Federalist Army 1911-1913

The Constitutional Army 1913-1917

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