Axelbant is one of the components of the ceremonial military uniform. This element additionally decorates the latter, emphasizes becoming its owner. But how to sew an accelerator? Among other things, we will analyze the process in this article in detail.
What is it - an accelerator?
Before figuring out how to properly sew an accelerator to a military uniform, we will reveal what it is for readers who are faced with such a concept for the first time.
The hero of our story is part of the solemn form of the military. These are intertwined cords that are entwined by a golden or silver gimp, decorated with small metal tips. Such an element is attached either to the uniform or to the tunic.
The origin of the word German: Achsel - "armpit", Band - "cord", "ribbon".
How to sew an accelerant on a uniform is most often interesting for cadets, young military men. Let's move on to the description of this process.
You will need...
Before you sew an accelerator on the form, you must first prepare the following:
- cords;
- golden (silver) gimp;
- metal tips;
- actually the tunic itself.
Everything is in place? Let's get started!
How to sew an accessory belt on a tunic
This attribute is located on the right side of the military uniform. Accordingly, it is hemmed under the right shoulder strap. But there are a number of exceptions to this rule - in some parts the accelerator is worn on the left side.
We act as follows:
- Place the edge of the first cord 5 mm from the shoulder strap (the one closest to the sleeve).
- Thus, in order to fix the accelerator, you first need to tear off the shoulder strap from the tunic or uniform matter exactly half. Then you fasten the string with several stitches. Then you need to carefully sew back the part of the shoulder strap.
- The first lace necessarily passes under the sleeve.
- How to sew an entire accelant? The rest of the cords are attached using a decorative metal lapel tip.
- We go further. To fix the interwoven cords under the lapel, a button is sewn under the last one, or just a loop of thread, fabric, lace. The difficulty is that this element should not look out from under the lapel - with and without an accelerant.
Who wears the accessories?
According to the military charter, this attribute of a military uniform must be worn:
- Participants in military parades.
- Members of a military band.
- Military personnel in the guard of honor.
Aiguilettes are not traditionally Russian elements of a military uniform. You can see them on the uniform, tunic of officers of a large number of armies of the world.
Such a practice is also known that demobilized servicemen decorate their uniform with a home-made accelerant in honor of any holidays. Most often this decoration is white.
Sometimes axelbants are worn and not only military ranks. For example, actors of theater and cinema. Also, people who are interested in reconstructing and restoring historical costumes, including military ones, are interested in how to sew an accessory belt on a tunic. But in this case, it is best to turn to archival documents if you want to accurately restore the uniform of that era. Perhaps in a certain country, in a particular period of history, there were other rules for fixing and arranging these attributes.
As for the division of ranks, then dignitaries, such as generals, are required to wear golden axelbants. The military of a lower rank wear silver elements of this type. Or the accelerators, which are prescribed by a more private military charter.
Interesting facts about the accelerant
So we have figured out how to sew an accelerating belt on a tunic. Finally, we want to acquaint you with a number of interesting facts about him:
- The first axelbants appeared in the 17th century in Western Europe.
- According to legend, this element of form was at first the subject with which the distances on the map were measured. But instead of decorative tips there were sharpened pencils - with the help of them the clarified readings were recorded.
- As an attribute of a military uniform, an accelerant appeared during the war between Spain and the Netherlands. Residents of the latter defended their independence. Death or freedom - the proud Dutch did not leave any other choice for themselves. And the axelbant was a frightening symbol of the enemy - the warrior showed that he would make himself a noose for hanging from these cords himself, so as not to become a defeated slave to the Spaniards. And for some information, this attribute was at all pieces of rope taken from the gallows.
- But historians offer another interesting version. Aiguilettes appeared as a decorative replacement for the wick, which the military threw on their shoulders. It was necessary for the once relevant wick muskets.
Axelbant in Russia
Axelbants came to our country in 1762. This was a mark of distinction between the infantry troops of the musketeer and grenadier battalions. Officers wore an attribute with silvered, gilded threads. In 1917 it was abolished. He returned to the Soviet army accelerant in 1971. It was an adornment of servicemen in the guard of honor, orchestra, ceremonial calculation of the garrison of Moscow.
Today in our country there are two types of accelerant:
- For officers (including marshals, admirals, generals) - yellow, with two braided ends, an iron tip.
- For soldiers, sailors, sergeants, foremen - white, with one braided end, yellow tip.
How to sew an accelerator, you now know. Like the story of this attribute of military uniforms.