Thanks Hans-Karl and Bryce Conrad doesn’t seem to give information as far as I can see other than Moroccan/Russian Red straps and tassles for Guard cavalry ? No squadron colour for knots or tassles. Both he and Gingerich give line cavalry squadron coloured knots and tassels. So I’m wondering was it just horse colour distinctions per squadron???Peter
Peter, there was no difference in swordknot colour distinctions between 'line' and Guard cavalry, just as there were not any for infantry. The distinctions were in other uniform items--cuff & collar lace, aiguiettes, etc.
Thanks Bryce it’s just I see illustrations for line cavalry heavy to light with leather strap and varied coloured wool knot and tassle per squadron number.
Whereas the guard cavalry regiments appear as having just all red leather(strap/knot/ tassle) and no other colours at all
You should find the answer at Mark Conrads home page -
https://marksrussianmilitaryhistory.info/
About the cavalry leather sabre straps I would assume - Russian leather, as for tassels, they might be wool and of different colour according to squadron number, please check Conrad on that and let us know your findings.
The best online source, courtesy of the 'Wayback Machine' is probably Jonathan Gingerich's old site (currently off-air): https://web.archive.org/web/20190302113230/http://zaotlichiye.net63.net/allfacings.html Search on 'Cavalry Swordknots', well down the page. Other Guard Cavalry details are contained in the relevant section.
You should find the answer at Mark Conrads home page -
https://marksrussianmilitaryhistory.info/
About the cavalry leather sabre straps I would assume - Russian leather, as for tassels, they might be wool and of different colour according to squadron number, please check Conrad on that and let us know your findings.