“Bulgarian military uniforms” Collection hall

The National Museum of Military History is the only one in the country, which preserves the evolution of Bulgarian military uniform, accessories and equipment. The presence in the collection of all the models of Bulgarian military uniforms, of soldiers’ uniforms, which are rarity, as well as of some experimental samples, is merit of the collection, which has been completed since 1916.

In December 1879 , by an act of parliament were determined 9 different uniforms according to the ranks and kinds of troops in the army of Principality of Bulgaria. They differ in cut, color and symbols. All of them however, showed unambiguously the Bulgarian nationality.

The uniforms of the Bulgarian rulers, having been also commanders- in-chief of the army after 1879- Prince Alexander I Battenberg, Prince (since 1908 Tsar) Ferdinand I and Tsar Boris III, as well as the uniforms of members of their families, call forth extreme interest.

In 1884 the military uniform in Principality of Bulgaria was divided into three types: parade, full dress and every day uniform. Parade uniform was worn on the occasions of prince’s birthday or name day , election of a prince, in the days of main church holidays as well as on New Year’s day, in cases of inspections, parades, promotions, awarding, new appointments, consecration of flags and swearing ceremonies. Full dress uniform was worn when visiting the Palace , going for examinations, to church services and parades, balls, official dinners, christenings, funerals , etc. Everyday uniform was worn at exercises, inspections, presentations to the Command etc.

During the first decade of 20th c. started equalization of the dress and equipment of all branches of the army. The simplification of the uniform, called forth by necessity of more functionality and practicality of the uniforms, influenced on all the armies of Europe. The protective gray-greenish color enabled hiding in real battle environment and is a step forward towards modernizing of the army uniform. After 1905 only patron regiments had parade uniforms.

After the re-organization of the Bulgarian Army in 1936 was changed the design and the color of military uniform. The Ministry of War divided army uniforms as follows : parade (only for the Lifeguard of his Majesty Horse regiment), full dress, service, everyday and battle. All of them were subdivided into summer and winter uniforms.

The transition from monarchy to people’s republic had its influence also on the army uniforms. In 1947 complete change of the symbols, cut, colors and accessories of the uniforms were carried out.

In 2001, with the purpose of modernizing and unifying of the uniforms, in the Bulgarian Army were adopted the following uniforms : parade- for military men on active service; full dress- representative- for all the military men on active service, without soldiers. Full dress-parade uniforms were adopted for the conscript military men and also were adopted everyday uniforms (winter and summer) and special working dress.