Austrian knot

Franz Joseph I wearing Austrian knots.

Saint Cyr cadets with austrian knots on their sleeves, during the Bastille Day Military Parade

An Austrian Knot (or Tyrolean Knot) is an elaborate design of twisted cord or lace worn as part of a dress uniform, usually on the lower sleeve. It is usually a distinction worn by officers; the major exception is the hussars, in which Austrian knots are worn by all ranks. British Cadet Under Officers wear Austrian Knots as part of their rank insignia.

History

The Austrian Knot evolved as an indicator of rank among officers of the Austro-Hungarian army in the 18th century. Epaulettes were widely perceived amongst the government in Vienna as a foreign influence (due to their French origin) and thus not acceptable for the Austrian armies. Ranks came to be denoted by braided gold cords on the sleeve, with the number of gold cords representing the rank of the officer. Austrian knots did not gain popularity among other European nations until the last decades of the nineteenth century, when many colonial officers began wearing them (including British infantry officers of the Anglo-Zulu Wars). Along with most other elaborate and conspicuous indicators of rank, Austrian knots fell into disuse during the First World War and were not revived in everyday wear. French officers of North African regiments such as the Zouaves and the Algerian Tirailleurs continued however to wear Austrian knots in gold braid on their colourful full dress uniforms until 1939.

United States usage

During the American Civil War, Confederate officers often wore gold Austrian knots on their uniforms. More elaborate braiding indicated higher rank. This type of insignia was worn by officers of the US Army on the sleeves of the blue full dress uniforms authorised until 1917. It is a feature of the blue mess dress uniform adopted as optional wear for officers in 1937 and still worn for formal social or evening functions.