Uniforms of the Mexican Army
During the Revolution

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

Figures 24-26: Infantry

By C.A. Norman

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Figure 24: Infantry Second Sergeant, Tropical Campaign Dress. Khaki cap with brown peak and chinstrap, only the national cockade being worn by way of insignia. White tropical uniform with khaki paste buttons, brown leather waistbelt [the bayonet frog suspended from the left side] and two different models of bandolier, a tinned metal water bottle in a brown leather carrier on the left hip with canvas "bread bag" behind it.

Native sandals or "huaraches" are worn in place of shoes [which was still common practice, particularly in warm weather, the loose white cotton under-drawers might still be seen protruding below the rolled trouser legs in some cases] . Two "garance" red rank stripes on a khaki backing are held around the lower sleeves by thread loops.

Figure 25: Corporal Bugler, 36th Infantry Battalion, Campaign Dress, c.1917. This individual, from a period toward the very end of the war, shows a number of unusual features which pre-figure practices adopted by the 1919 dress regulations [it is by no means clear to what extent the 1919 dress regulations may have simply put an official "seal of approval" on already existing practices ?]. Khaki cap, tunic, buttons and trousers, brown leather cap peak and chinstrap, belts, cartridge pouches and shoes. The tunic has patch pockets, no shoulder straps and bronzed metal unit numbers on the collar, all variations rarely to be seen during the civil war period [particularly on an other ranks uniform].

A single red rank stripe is sewn around the cuff, as well as circling the cap band [the latter practice was occasionally to be seen on officers caps, but was extremely rare among lower ranks]. The infantry branch badge on his cap band is printed or painted [possibly in dark green?] on a square khaki patch, with the cockade above. On each sleeve are two sets of "golpes" consisting of 3 gold reversed chevrons on a "garance" red backing, each with 3 sets of dangling gold pompoms. Brass bugle with red cord around central portion, carried on a narrow brown leather strap on campaign.

This unique belt and pouch rig appears in only the source photo for this figure, I've never seen another example depicted. Presumably this would be a locally-made "one-off" adaptation, the pouches bear a strong resemblance to old cartridge carriers, possibly cut-down a bit, with belt loops added on the rear and extra pockets to the flap [could this conceivably be the model described in the regulations?] .

Figure 26: Cadet Drummer, Mexican Military Academy, Pull Dress, 1910. [after a Joseph Hefter sketch] This should be regarded as a sort of postscript to the earlier part because of it's date, sorry but I've just re-found it among my files. This figure is a good example of the model 1905 other ranks full dress uniform, though the Cadets uniform was not entirely typical, having a number of distinctive features.

Black leather picklehaulbe with brass fittings and Mexican Eagle as a front helmet plate, white horsehair plume. The blue-black cadets full dress tunic was [and still is, for that matter] double-breasted with long skirts, almost like a frock coat, collar and cuffs of black velvet edged with crimson piping, crimson 3 button cuff flaps, brass buttons. In place of shoulder straps cadets wore contre-epaulets of crimson cloth with gilt crescents and lace edging. On the sleeves are two sets of "golpes", each consisting of [unusually] 4 gold lace chevrons backed with crimson cloth and gold depending pompoms. Below these, on the lower sleeve, are two diagonal gold lace stripes designating an upper-class man [this type of stripe is still used by cadets in the Mexican Army].

Blue-black trousers with a crimson stripe, black boots, white shirt and gloves, drum baldric and waistbelt of black polished leather with brass fittings, black-painted steel bayonet scabbard. The drum is brass, embossed with the Military Academy badge on the front, the hoops of alternating triangles of green, white and red, white cords and tighteners, black drumsticks with brass tips, black leather drum apron.

Inset to the left is the "branch badge" of the Military Academy, according to Hefter the symbolism of this badge is as follows; the crossed cannon symbolise attack, the gabion [somewhat different from that used in the Engineer's badge symbolises defence, the upright torch symbolises study and the 5 lightning bolts emanating from the flames symbolise the 5 years of the course. This badge would also be embossed on the waistbelt plate and worn on the cartridge pouch flaps of cadets armed with rifles.

A final note on sleeve rank stripes; officers continued to wear the same system used with earlier uniforms [on the service uniform, sometimes the campaign uniform as well] , 1-3 narrow button-colour lace stripes for junior officers, 1-3 wider stripes for senior officers. These would be of silver for cavalry officers, gold for all other combat arms. N.C.O.s. and enlisted ranks would have stripes of branch of service colour, according to the following system; 3 stripes for First Sergeant, 2 for Second Sergeant, 1 for Corporal and 1 on the left sleeve only for a 1st Class soldier.

The Federalist Army 1911-1913

The Constitutional Army 1913-1917

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