Västmanland was a regiment that was used extensively during the campaigns in Sweden’s Age of Greatness. Since its recruiting area was not a border region, it did not need to be left behind in the homeland and was instead an obvious choice to serve in the field armies that fought on the other side of the Baltic Sea. During the Great Northern War, Västmanland was considered one of the best regiments. It distinguished itself as the only regiment that participated in all major battles in that war.

Organisational History

Västmanland Regiment can trace its origins to the fänika that was set up in Västmanland in the mid-16th century and which was recruited through conscription. For a long time, there was only one Västmanland fänika, but at the beginning of the 17th century several more were raised. At the same time, their size decreased, and they were renamed companies. From 1613 onwards, the companies were combined into a larger regiment that also included companies from Uppland and Dalarna. This regiment was from 1617 called the Uppland Land Regiment, and was later organised into three field regiments. In 1628 the field regiment from Västmanland became an independent regiment consisting of eight companies (of these, however, Dalarna and Uppland contributed two companies each). In 1641, a decision was made to expand the regiment to twelve companies, but it probably never reached more than ten companies before it returned to the old organisation in 1645.

The Västmanland regiment, like the previous fänika, was recruited mainly through conscription until 1682. The exception was the part that was recruited in Dalarna because this province had concluded an agreement with the crown to introduce a "permanent force". This meant that the peasants were exempted from conscription in exchange for themselves recruiting and maintaining a certain number of soldiers. From 1635 onwards, Dalarna's contribution to the Västmanland regiment amounted to 260 men and this remained unchanged until 27 October 1682 when the peasants of Uppland and Västmanland also agreed to introduce the permanent force (or the allotment system as it is most often called). The reorganisation that followed the following year when the contracts with the peasants were to be implemented meant that Dalarna's contribution to the Västmanland regiment was reduced to 205 rotar (each rote was responsible for one soldier). The geographical distribution of Dalarna's contributions also changed from having constituted western Dalarna to instead coming from southern Dalarna. In Västmanland itself, 733 rotar were organised and in the parts of Uppland and Södermanland that belonged to Västmanland County, a further 244 and 5 rotar were organised respectively, so that the total became a 1200-man strong Västmanland regiment divided into 8 companies of 150 men.

From 1690 onwards, the companies were given geographical names instead of being named after the company commanders as before. Thus, the regiment had the following organisation, which it would retain throughout the 18th century.

Company	Districts (rotar)	The map above has the borders of the province of Västmanland in red while the borders of the districts that were part of Västmanland County are black. It gives a rough idea of ​​the geographical spread of the regiment. The grey area was exempt from recruiting soldiers in peacetime.
Colonel’s	Yttertjurbo (29), Siende (57), Norrbo (54), Vagnsbro (10)
Västerås	Norrbo (9), Tuhundra (61), Snevringe (80)
Strömsholm	Snevringe (80), Åkerbo (70)
Kungsör	Åkerbo (95), Fellingsbro (55)
Bergslag	Vagnsbro (32), Norberg (37), Skinnskatteberg (26), Söderbärke (17), Norrbärke (22), Grangärde (16)
Lieutenant Colonel's  (Folkares)	Folkare (93), Hedemora (57)
Major's (Väsby)	Simtuna (88), Övertjurbo (51), Torstuna (6), Yttertjurbo (5)
Salberg	Simtuna (9), Våla (61), Torstuna (80)

The towns in Västmanland recruited sailors for the navy. Their contribution in peacetime were as follows: Västerås (24), Arboga, (16), Köping (13), Lindesberg (6). Nora (8). In wartime those numbers were doubled.

Additional Troops in the Scanian War

During wartime, the need for men increased and the government tried in various ways to increase the size of the army. For the part of the Västmanland regimental area that was recruited through conscription, this was not a major problem since there was no limit on how many could be conscripted. During the Scanian War, so-called sexmänningar (six-men-ings) were therefore added through an extra conscription. They got their name because Västmanland was divided into groups consisting of six men each and one of these was conscripted. A total of two companies with 150 men each were raised, and they were mustered in Västerås in January 1677. That same year, they were part of a force that reconquered Blekinge in February-March and then fought the Snapphans in northern Scania. In 1678, they were used as garrison troops in Karlshamn, Kristianopel and Kalmar.

For the Dalarna part of Västmanland Regiment, a different method had to be used to raise manpower. Dalarna had a contract with the crown that limited the number of soldiers they had to recruit to 1,400 men (of which 260 belonged to the Västmanland regiment). This contract was circumvented, however, by each rote being ordered to select one person to a peasant levy under the command of Dalarna’s governor. These men formed a regiment called “Utskottsfolket” (selected people). Read more about them in the article about the Dal Regiment.

Additional Troops in the Great Northern War

The same part of the allotment system that recruited the Västmanland regiment was given the task of raising an additional 400 men in 1700. This was done by bringing the rotar together into groups of three who would recruit an extra soldier, a so-called tremänning (“three man-ing”). These were then combined with the 3-männings from Uppland and the Dal Regiment to form the 1,200-man Uppland 3-männing Regiment, whose colonel would become the famous general Adam Ludvig Lewenhaupt. The recruitment took place in violation of the allotment office contract, but the peasants were promised that the 3-männings would not leave the homeland. However, this promise was also broken when the 3-männing regiment was transferred to the Baltic in April 1701. Once there, the regiment was split up when one battalion accompanied the main army to Poland in 1702 while the other remained in the Baltic. A reorganisation then took place in 1703 when the battalion in the main army was incorporated into the Livgarde (Life Guards) while the Uppland 3-männing Regiment was compensated by receiving a battalion from the disbanded Östgöta-Södermanland 3-männing Regiment. Under Lewenhaupt's command, the latter participated in the battles of Jakobstadt, Gemäuerthof and Lesnaya. The latter battle resulted though in such a large loss of equipment that the regiment was disbanded, and the men transferred to the Livgarde in 1708.

However, the 3-männing regiments were not sufficient for the army's needs and in 1703 the peasants were ordered to set up 5-männing combining the rotar into groups of five to provide an additional soldier. Uppland's 240 five-männings were combined with the 5-männings from Västmanland, Dalarna and Södermanland to form the 960-man Uppland 5-männing Regiment. This regiment was allowed to remain in the homeland and participated in the Battle of Helsingborg in 1710 together with its parent regiment. It was converted into the Stralsund Garrison Regiment in 1720.

The 3- and 5-männing regiments were a one-off recruitment and the peasants did not have to replace their losses. However, this did not prevent them from being forced to set up a new 3-männing regiment in 1712 in the same way as the last time. However, this time the regiment was allowed to remain in the homeland until it was disbanded in 1719. The men were then transferred to the Guard, the Östgöta-Södermanland 3-männing Regiment and others.

Wartime Organisation in the Great Northern War

Temporary deviations from the colour organisation of the allotment system took place during the Great Northern War, when extra personnel were recruited through enlistment. When the regiment went on campaign in 1700, a reorganisation was carried out so that the men were divided into twelve companies of 100 men and that the number of officers was increased so that each company would be fully staffed. In November of the same year, it was also decided that the staff companies (Colonel's, Lieutenant Colonel's and Major's companies) would each have a captain, and an additional captain would be appointed to lead the regiment's grenadiers.

On 18 January 1701, the old organisation of eight companies of 150 men was restored. However, the number of officers did not decrease, but each company would now have an extra captain, lieutenant and ensign (so-called double or second officers). In the spring, double non-commissioned officers were also introduced, with each company getting an extra fältväbel, sergeant and förare. This meant that each company would have eight non-commissioned officers instead of the normal five. In 1708, however, there were usually nine non-commissioned officers in each company.

The regimental staff was at least occasionally supplemented by a regimental adjutant, a regimental Judge-advocate and a regimental commissar. In 1718, there was also a field surgeon assistant in each company.

Colonels and Battles
(Green background indicates victories, red background defeats)

Västmanland Regiment was disbanded in 1927

Scanian War

During the Scanian War, the regiment was never deployed in one single place. Some fought in Germany while others were mainly commandeered to the navy. The troops in Germany were cut off from their homeland early on because the Danish navy achieved naval supremacy. Without hope of reinforcements, they had to defend a shrinking territory in Pomerania against an overwhelming enemy coalition. In the autumn of 1678, they were forced to give up their last stronghold in Germany (Stralsund) in exchange for safe passage to Sweden. However, the transport fleet ran aground at Bornholm and the Västmanlanders became Danish prisoners of war.

The original intention was to send the entire regiment to Pomerania in 1674, but a lack of men meant that only six companies were sent there. The regency council’s poor administration in 1660-1672 meant that it was common that wages were not paid and soldiers had to starve in the camps. The result was widespread desertion and many absentees from the regiment's rolls. At the muster in Västerås on 18 June 1674, the regiment's eight companies had only 550 privates. When the regiment departed on 13 July, however, the strength had increased to 711 men who had been distributed among only six companies. The cadres of the other two companies remained in Sweden to continue recruiting more men. The strength at home increased over time because no recruits could be sent to Germany. However, they never deployed as a field unit. Instead, they were commandeered to the navy or used as garrison troop.

The Campaign in Germany

Västmanland regiment was transferred to Pomerania in 1674, where three companies were stationed in Demmin and at least two in Greifswald (August-October). At the end of the year, the regiment crossed the border into Brandenburg, after which it was immediately assigned to winter quarters. The actual campaign did not begin until May 1675. The Västmanlanders did not participate in the Battle of Fehrbellin on 18 June, but the consequence of the defeat was that they and the rest of the army returned to Swedish Pomerania already at the end of June. On 30 April, Västmanland Regiment had mustered a force consisting of 107 officers & NCOs and 679 privates. In July, a force consisting of 106 officers & NCOs and 608 privates was reported. The losses consisted of 16 deserters, 14 dead, 16 wounded & sick, 23 left behind during the march home and 3 captured.

In September, Swedish Pomerania was invaded and the Swedish troops retreated to the fortresses. Västmanland Regiment probably ended up in Stralsund. Västmanland men participated in a relief corps to Wismar that was sent from Stralsund. However, this was not successful and on the way back, 16 files of the regiment were left behind as a garrison in Ribnitz. Danish cavalry attacked Ribnitz on 13 December and forced the garrison to surrender, with 90 Västmanland men being taken prisoner.

At the beginning of 1676, Västmanland Regiment was stationed in Demmin and the enemy coalition began a siege of this fortress in August. Since the garrison ultimately had only 480 men fit for service, they chose to surrender in exchange for safe passage to Stralsund on 10 October. Upon arrival in Stralsund, Västmanland Regiment had a strength of around 400 men. The Västmanland men remained in Stralsund while their colonel, who was skilled in fortress warfare, was loaned to the Stettin garrison which was besieged in the second half of 1677. However, he was killed in August.

In September 1677, the enemy coalition captured all of Rügen, except for the redoubt at Neue Fähre, which was defended by 550 men, of whom about 100 were Västmanlanders. When the Swedish general Königsmarck counterattacked after the turn of the year, Västmanland Regiment was part of his field army and on 8 January 1678 they were victorious in the Battle of Rügen, after which the entire island was recaptured. The Västmanlanders' losses in the battle consisted of only 1 ensign and 5 privates who were wounded. The success in Rügen was followed up in March with a month-long raid into Mecklenburg in which 2 captains and 208 men from the Västmanland regiment participated. During the same month, the regiment's total strength was 507 men fit for service and 61 sick. But by the summer of 1678 it had dropped to 370 men. Some Västmanlanders had been captured in a skirmish at Löcknitz on 4 June.

In September 1678 the regiment reported 170 men in the field on Rügen and 25 men garrisoning the redoubt at Neue Fähr, while 276 men remained in Stralsund. These could not prevent the enemy coalition from retaking Rügen that month. The Swedish force on Rügen carried out an evacuation to Stralsund but more than half of the infantry was lost. A garrison of 250 men had been left in Neue Fähr, the majority of which, however, consisted of former prisoners of war who had been recruited to the Swedish army. They were unwilling to continue fighting and mutinied against the officers who barricaded themselves in one of the bastions together with 25 loyal Västmanlanders. The officers realised that it was pointless to continue the fight under these circumstances and they agreed to surrender on 16 September.

At the end of September – early October it was reported that 128 Västmanlanders with officers had returned from Rügen, which meant that 76 men had been lost during the fighting on Rügen. The same report stated that 27 men were commandeered to Damgarten, 32 were sick and the remaining 210 men fit for service remained in Stralsund.

At the end of September, Brandenburg began a siege of Stralsund and the situation quickly became untenable for the small garrison, which also faced resistance from the civilian population who wanted the city to surrender. On 15 October, the garrison, which at that time had a strength of 2,543 men, of whom 234 were Västmanlanders, surrendered. They were granted safe passage to Sweden with all their equipment (colours, cannons and horses, etc.). Denmark disapproved of these conditions and delayed the transport to Sweden so that it did not begin until 4 December. When most of the transport fleet ran aground at Bornholm, the Danes also chose to take the Swedish force as prisoners (this included the Västmanland men).

Of the 6 standards and 22 colours taken at Bornholm, four can possibly be identified with Västmanland. The captured men (including 301 officers and NCOs) did not return to Sweden until the summer of 1680. The march home went via the duchy of Bremen that had been returned to Sweden, and the embarkation of the ships for Sweden took place in Lübeck.

The Companies in Sweden

A cadre of two companies was left in the homeland in 1674 to complete the recruitment of the regiment in 1674. In July 1675, however, only 59 men had been recruited for these companies and the plan was that they would be transferred to Germany in October. However, the sea transport did not get further than to Gotland and was forced to turn back due to bad weather and very high levels of sickness.

In April 1676, the home-based part of Västmanland Regiment had reached a strength of 213 privates, and these were commandeered to the navy. They then participated in the unfortunate battle of Öland on 1 June. It is unclear how many Västmanland men died. But on 27 June only 185 men remained of the regiment, which meant that the strength had been reduced by around 60.

The Västmanland men were commandeered to the navy in 1677 too, and in June their contingent consisted of 6 officers and 277 men who were organised in three companies. But the Swedes continued to suffer defeats against the Danish navy. This time at Køge Bay on 1 July.

During 1678, the Västmanland men were used as a garrison troop and after a muster in Asarum in October they were stationed in various locations. 140 men were placed in Karlshamn, 75 men in Varberg and about 70 were placed in Mörrum and Nymölle redoubts and several other locations. 171 men were sick, and these were quartered in Kalmar, Ronneby, Lyckeby and Asarum. In total, the home-based part of the regiment then consisted of 439 corporals and privates.

Great Northern War

Västmanland is notable as the regiment that participated in the most battles during the Great Northern War (Narva, Düna, Kliszow, Fraustadt, Holowczyn, Poltava, Helsingborg and Gadebusch). During the course of the war, the entire regiment was restored twice after capitulating at Perevolochna in 1709 and Tönning in 1713. Half the regiment was restored a third time after the Colonel’s Battalion surrounded to a superior Norwegian force in Moss in 1716. It returned to Norway in 1718 and participated in the siege of Fredriksten Fortress when Charles XII fell. The Västmanlanders ended the war by defending Stockholm against Russian pillaging in 1719-1721.

1700-1709

After the outbreak of war, Västmanland's two battalions were ordered to go to Kalmar and Karlskrona, respectively, where they stayed for two months. Four days after Charles XII's landing at Humlebæk, the regiment was ordered to quickly go to Landskrona. The idea was that the Västmanlanders would also be shipped over to Zealand, but this did not happen before the peace was concluded. However, some books incorrectly state that Västmanland was with the main army in Denmark in 1700. Instead of Denmark, they marched back to Blekinge, from where they were shipped over to Pernau at the end of October and participated in the campaign against the Russians.

In the Battle of Narva on 20 November, Västmanland had an effective strength of only 556 men, who were nevertheless formed into three small battalions. One ensign and 92 non-commissioned officers and privates fell in the battle. Two of the battalion commanders (Feilitzen and Kurck) were wounded along with two other officers and 197 non-commissioned officers and privates.

At the end of December, 200 Västmanlanders participated in a raid on Russian territory under the command of Magnus Stenbock. But in the following years, the Västmanland regiment was part of the main army and followed its movements.

No recruits to cover losses from the previous campaign appear to have arrived in the spring of 1701. On 24 August the regiment had 165 vacancies, which had increased to 194 a month later and to 198 on 10 January 1702. The first batch of recruits (160 men) were sent off in the spring of 1702 and should have joined the regiment in the autumn. In October 1703 a loss of 177 men since January was reported. At the beginning of June 1704, the number of vacancies was 206 but this was reduced to 20 when recruits arrived to the regiment. At the end of 1704 there were 58 vacancies but 27 of them were then filled by recruitment from the drivers. On these occasions, a varying number of soldiers were also sick and these are obviously not included in the strength reports below (up to and including 1704), which come from Torsten Holm's book. The information from this paragraph comes from Nordensvan page 132.

In the Battle of Düna on 9 July 1701, the regiment was 859 strong. The Swedish army counted around 100 dead after the battle, but Västmanland likely suffered very few casualties. Its lieutenant colonel was seriously wounded and sent home.

When the 1702 campaign began in January, the Västmanland regiment had 825 men. Six months later, the regiment participated in the Battle of Kliszow where it suffered no casualties whatsoever. After the battle, a battalion was temporarily left in Pinczow to protect wounded men from less fortunate regiments.

During the siege of Thorn in 1703, the Västmanland regiment was stationed 60 kilometres northeast of the fortress in the city of Strassburg to secure the supply route. After the fall of Thorn, the regiment was placed in winter quarters in Schöneck (40 kilometres southeast of Danzig). After participating in the main army's long marches in 1704, Västmanland was left behind in Greater Poland during the 1705 campaign season and was part of Rehnsköld's army from 27 July 1705 to 6 August 1706.

Under Rehnsköld's command, Västmanland participated in the Battle of Fraustadt on 3 February 1706, where one of their battalion commanders was killed (Major von Snoilsky). 34 men were killed during the battle, while another 15 wounded died before the end of February.

When the Västmanlanders were reunited with the main army, they crossed the border into Saxony on 26 August and began an occupation of that country that would last a whole year. They were then stationed in Annaberg near the border with Bohemia until Charles XII's departure on 22 August 1707. Together with the main army, the Västmanlanders marched to present-day Belarus where they in 1708 stayed for four months (February-May). Västmanland regiment was at that time located in Volozin (between Smorgon and Minsk) from where they later marched towards Holowczyn.

In the Battle of Holowczyn on 4 July 1708, the losses of the privates were two killed and 13 wounded. The losses of the officers consisted of only two wounded, Lieutenant Colonel Wrangel and a lieutenant (according to Pihlström's diary). Västmanland did not participate in the Battle of Lesnaya on 29 September, but as a result of this battle, the regiment was reinforced with Finnish soldiers whose previous regiments had lost all their heavier equipment and therefore could not function as independent units. The Finns came from Åbo Regiment (140 men) and Björneborg Regiment (420 men). Possibly 311 men from the Nyland Regiment were also included (this according to Petre's diary, while von Weihe's diary states that they were instead transferred to the Närke-Värmland Regiment). The reinforced Västmanland Regiment then crossed the Desna River at Mezyn on 1 November with a force consisting of 200 Västmanlanders and a Björneborg battalion. 200 men from Västerbotten and 400 from the Dal Regiment were also included in the Swedish force, which suffered losses of about 50 killed and 100 wounded. The Västmanland and Västerbotten men are said to have taken most of these losses.

At the end of April 1709, Västmanland Regiment arrived in Poltava and Västmanlanders were part of the force that dug the first trenches when the siege began on 1 May. Two months later, the Battle of Poltava was fought, in which seven officers (including the lieutenant colonel), nine non-commissioned officers and 17 corporals were killed. Torsten Holm writes that "the number of non-commissioned officers and privates killed was about 200", but unlike the previous information, he does not cite any source for this claim. A captain from Åbo Regiment who served in the regiment also died in the battle.

The remainder of the regiment surrendered three days later at Perevolochna on 1 July. However, the colonel Axel Sparre and a non-commissioned officer managed to get to Bender with the king. The person responsible for the regimental personnel during the captivity was therefore Major Gustav Reuter, who in a letter home to Sweden sent a list of the prisoners of war who were alive in March 1710 and asked for financial assistance for them.

Prisoners of War 22 March 1710

Vacancies among officers were usually filled quickly through promotions during ongoing campaigns and on 12 June 1709 there were only 4 or 5 officer vacancies in Västmanland Regiment. The fact that the captured officers constituted two-thirds of the full strength indicates that they suffered relatively light losses compared to the rest of the army. This was probably because the Västmanland regiment had fallen behind and had not had time to take their place in the first line in time for the main battle. But it is strange that the men in Russian captivity in 1710 only amounted to 210 men according to the major's report. The total strength in the battle, which admittedly included Finnish soldiers, was at least 1100 men (Bertil Wennerholm has estimated it at 1246 men). If the number of corporals at the time of the battle was complete, their killed (17) should also have constituted a third of the total. It should be noted though that the Russians kept officers and privates separated during captivity.

1710-1721

The recruitment to the restored regiment was almost fully completed in October 1709 and it began the march to Danish-occupied Scania on 14 January 1710. Its two battalions arrived at Osby on 3 and 4 February respectively. It participated in the Battle of Helsingborg on 28 February with an effective strength of 937 men (including officers). During the battle, the colonel and 9 of the men were killed. The wounded included the lieutenant colonel and two lieutenants and 13 of the privates. The care of the wounded was made more difficult by the fact that the regiment did not yet have any field surgeons or field surgeon assistants. After the Scanian campaign had ended, the regiment was stationed in the Ljunit and Herrestad districts (the area around Ystad).

In the autumn of 1711, Västmanland Regiment was part of a force that was transferred to Pomerania to relieve Stralsund, which was besieged by a Danish-Saxon army. The enemy withdrew, but the Västmanlanders remained in Pomerania for a whole year. 57 recruits arrived on 14 September 1712 on Rügen, and at the same time 688 men were garrisoned in Stralsund. The entire 904-strong Västmanland regiment participated in Magnus Stenbock's campaign in Mecklenburg, which began on 21 October 1712. After a month-long pause at the Warnow River from 4 November, the Battle of Gadebusch was fought on 9 December. There, 2 Västmanlanders were killed and 6 were wounded. At the end of December, the Swedish army advanced into Schleswig-Holstein. On 18 January, the regiment was 800 strong and on 8 February it marched into the Tönning fortress, which was later besieged by the enemy coalition. In May, the fortress surrendered, and the second incarnation of Västmanland Regiment also became prisoners of war.

Västmanland Regiment, restored for the second time, participated in the Norwegian campaign in the spring of 1716 with its 600-man Colonel’s Battalion. The second battalion was left behind in the home province because it was not fully recruited until September. The Colonel’s Battalion was part of the force that, under the king's command, crossed the border into Norway from Holmedal in Värmland on 26 February and marched into Kristiania on 12 March. On 19 March, the Västmanland battalion captured the city of Moss, where it remained until 13 April, when the Norwegians counterattacked. Despite a stubborn defence in which its colonel was mortally wounded, the surrounded Västmanlanders were forced to surrender. 510 men, including the lieutenant colonel and ten other officers, were taken prisoner. Approximately 100 Swedes were killed (500 cavalrymen also participated in the battle).

The remaining battalion was ordered in July 1716 to march to the Småland border and was in Scania on 23 September with a force of 586 men and officers. In November, parts of this force returned to their home province.

Once again, Västmanland Regiment, two battalions strong, participated in the 1718 Norwegian campaign. This time too, they were part of the force led by the king, but now they assembled in Västra Ed in Dalsland. At the end of October, the border was crossed. The Västmanlanders then participated in the siege of Fredriksten fortress, which was interrupted by the king's death on 30 November. The unplanned return to their home province was difficult, resulting in many becoming sick. The Västmanland Regiment reported on 3 December that it had 301 sick, 43 wounded and 47 vacancies.

During the rest of the war, the Västmanlanders were tasked with defending the east coast against Russian raids. They arrived in Stockholm on 1 June 1719 and were sent as reinforcements to the Battle of Stäket on 13 August, which was over when they arrived. On 15 December, they were back in their home province with a force of 961 men. The following year, they were again in the Stockholm area from 7 April to 11 November. In 1721, the regiment was in Stockholm (Södermalm) from 29 April until peace was concluded with Russia on 30 August, after which the Västmanlanders returned home.

Västmanland Uniforms

Charles X Gustav's War

Scanian War

Great Northern War

Seven Years' War

During the 17th century, Västmanland often seems to have had green uniforms. This colour was worn both before and after the Scanian War, although it is uncertain whether it was worn during this war as the Västmanlanders seem to have had a blue-red uniform instead. When the Carolean uniform was introduced in 1690, they, like most Swedish regiments, received a blue-yellow uniform. The blue-yellow colour combination was then retained by Västmanland Regiment throughout the 18th century.

Västmanland's Oldest Uniforms

1654

1666

1672

1676

1683

The first time the colour of Västmanland’s uniforms is mentioned was just before the wedding of Charles X Gustav on 24-26 October 1654 when four companies from the Västmanland regiment participated in a troop parade. These companies had for this occasion received new uniforms consisting of green broadcloth. They were also said to have had a different colour on the cuffs, edges and lining but it is unknown which one. A few months later, Sweden's first uniform regulation was issued and in this the green colour for Västmanland Regiment was confirmed. More specifically, it stated that the Västmanland men should have sea green jackets and breeches. A shift to blue uniforms may have taken place as early as the late 1650s, as a newly raised company received a blue colour in 1656, and this was followed by three more blue colours in 1657 when more men were conscripted.

The next time Västmanland's uniforms were mentioned was when the colonel’s battalion was to be equipped for garrison duty in Riga in 1666-1667. At that time, officers and non-commissioned officers received grey broadcloth for their uniforms while corporals, sergeants, and privates received blue broadcloth. The type of broadcloth used for the uniforms varied for each category. The officers received English broadcloth, the non-commissioned officers' broadcloth was called "packlaken", the privates received "gemet piuk" and the others received "kiör piuk".

However, the blue colour in 1666 seems to have been temporary, because during drills in the summer of 1672, 300 soldiers from Västmanland are reported to have had uniforms consisting of green broadcloth and light green baize. Västmanland having a green uniform colour was also stated in an undated letter from the War College (from 1672 or 1673). We get more detailed information in the uniform regulation issued on 15 March 1675, when Västmanland was to have green clothes with red cuffs and edges. It was probably not a sea green shade this time. According to m/1675 and m/1682, the colours (flags) of Västmanland were to have a grass green shade and it probably matched the colour of the uniforms.

Höglund confirms the green colour for Västmanland in 1674. But for the year 1676 he states a blue coat with red cuffs and edges as well as a hat and blue breeches. The field regiment also had blue coats in 1678 (the non-commissioned officers' uniform was, however, grey). The companies that were commandeered to the navy received grey broadcloth and new waist belts and shoes that same year.

The colour of the stockings is not mentioned at any time. However, Höglund mentions that Västmanland's six-men (extra conscripts) had blue stockings in 1676. Their uniform was otherwise identical to that of the parent regiment from the same year.

In a list of the existing uniform colours from 1683, Västmanland is stated to have green clothes with red cuffs. It is unknown when this uniform was issued. However, buff coats for the non-commissioned officers were purchased in 1686.

Västmanland's Carolean Uniforms

Västmanland's first Carolean uniform was issued on 20 May 1690. These were replaced not later than in August 1705, but they probably received new uniforms as early as 1702 thanks to the contributions that were demanded from the Poles after the Battle of Kliszow. However, there is a complete lack of sources about this and the only indication that this may have happened is that the Västmanland regiment is not included among the regiments that Charles XII mentioned as poorly clothed in a letter to Magnus Stenbock in November 1702. The extent of the new uniform in 1705 is also unknown as details about this are missing except that everyone received new waistcoats and breeches of leather. Another set of new uniforms was issued during the stay in Saxony in 1706-1707, but there are also no details except that the waistcoats and breeches now seem to have been made of broadcloth. A clue to what the uniforms may have looked like at that time is the description of the recruits' uniforms from 1707 (who, however, had leather waistcoats and breeches).

When the regiment was restored after Poltava, new uniforms were made in Gothenburg. However, these were not delivered until the regiment was just north of the Scanian border. The march to Scania in January was therefore done while wearing peasant clothes. The uniforms from 1710 were then worn until the capitulation at Tönning in 1713, and parts of the regiment that escaped captivity had them even longer, even though they were worn out by then. The newly raised men wore grey wadmal coats in 1714/1715. New uniforms should have been issued before the Norwegian campaigns of 1716 and 1718, but details about them are only known from the last year of the war.

Privates' Uniforms 1690-1721

A royal letter from 27 February 1704 ordered the governor of Västmanland to urgently procure 1200 pairs of breeches and 1200 leather waistcoats. These were to be transferred to Poland together with that year's recruits. However, only half were delivered in Stockholm on 23 May and the other half not until the following year. Both Carl Gustaf Rehnsköld's and Joachim Lyth's diaries mention the delivery of uniforms to the regiment in August 1705.

In 1706, a karpus consisting of black hat felt with a flap of blue broadcloth and yellow lining was ordered (Bellander, page 206). However, Höglund states yellow lace instead of yellow lining. In any case, these karpuses were not issued. According to a royal order from May 1707, a delivery of 1200 karpuses, 1200 pairs of stockings and 1241 coats was sent back to Stockholm. A representative from Västmanland Regiment also did not want to receive leather waistcoats and leather breeches because the king had in Saxony “provided for breeches of broadcloth and waistcoats for the entire regiment" (the information was provided to me by Bengt Nilsson).

At the muster in August 1710, the men were missing 100 leather waistcoats, 137 leather breeches, 734 shirts, 445 pairs of shoes, and 235 pairs of gloves (Bellander, page 235).

In 1715, colonel Melker Falkenberg wrote that both veterans and recruits wore thin grey wadmal coats that they had received from the rote peasants. The soldiers who remained from the restored regiment in 1709 still had the uniforms that had been issued in February and April 1710, and which were now completely worn out. Falkenberg therefore stated that a campaign with existing clothing would be disastrous for the regiment (Klaesson, page 43).

Other Uniforms 1690-1721

Charles XI expressed his pleasure with the non-commissioned officers' uniforms in 1690. But the same uniforms received complaints from him in 1694 for having too large cuffs: "although, you should discard, the large and wide cuffs used by them, because I find them completely inconvenient for a soldier". The king also noted that the coats were not the same, as some had the "former " and some others had blue buttons. He therefore ordered that all should be "equally uniformed and dressed" (quotes from Bellander, page 193). Otherwise, however, the first Carolean uniforms of the non-commissioned officers are unknown according to Björn Asker. Although Höglund mentions that in 1700 they had karpuses with silver lace.

When the regiment was restored in 1709/1710, according to Höglund, the non-commissioned officers' uniforms consisted of a hat with silver lace, blue piecoat, blue coat with blue lining and cuffs, and brass buttons, leather waistcoat, leather breeches and blue stockings. Anders Larsson also mentions that the premier non-commissioned officers in 1712 had polished iron hilts on their swords while the double officers had ordinary soldier swords. At the same time, the gloves were made of leather (moose skin collar and buckskin grip). For 1721, Larsson mentions that they had blue knitted stockings. In the muster roll for 1721, the non-commissioned officers' garments are described in several cases as completely worn out.

The drummers' and pipers' uniforms are first described at the restoration in 1709/1710 when, according to Höglund, they were to have a hat with a camel hair lace, a blue piecoat, a blue coat with yellow lining, cuffs, and collar as well as buttonholes sewn with yellow thread and brass buttons, a blue waistcoat, blue breeches and yellow stockings. Larsson mentions that in 1712 the neckcloth was made of black ticking, the gloves were made of goatskin with cowhide collars and the drum straps were made of yellow buffalo hide. In 1721 their uniforms were in good condition as new garments had been issued in the years 1719-1721. Among other things, hats with white lace (1719), blue coats and waistcoats, yellow breeches and stockings (knee straps made of cowhide with buckles) and gloves.

In 1709/1710, the train drivers had a blue karpus, piecoat, grey wadmal coat with blue cuffs, black neckcloth, leather waistcoat, leather breeches and boots. This is according to Höglund. Anders Larsson states for the year 1712 that the coat was made of blue wadmal. He also states that they had a pair of Swedish shoes and "A pair of boots, but instead a pair of snow socks of broadcloth and a pair of German shoes".

Liberty Age Uniforms

Since Torsten Holm, who wrote the Västmanland regimental history, was not particularly interested in the subject of uniforms, I have little information about its uniforms during the Age of Liberty (1719-1772). He does, however, mention that grenadier caps were introduced during von Rosen's time as colonel (1728-1739).

In 1729, it was decided a that Västmanland's uniform was to consist of a hat with white lace and a pewter button, a blue coat with yellow collar, cuffs and lining and pewter buttons. The small clothes were to consist of a waistcoat and breeches made of yellow broadcloth and white wool stockings. Furthermore, a black neckcloth, pair of shoes and a pair of gloves. The drummers were to have a yellow lining and laces on their coats. It is not mentioned in my source (Ericson) when this uniform was issued, but it may have happened a couple of years later. Interestingly, it is identical to the uniform that all Swedish regiments were to have according to the regulation from 1756. The only thing that is not mentioned here is a blue cloak with a yellow collar and brass buckles that was also part of the m/1756 uniform.

Västmanland regiment received new uniforms in 1756 and these were completely worn out when the regiment was mustered in 1768. New uniforms were needed and since 1765 a new uniform regulation had come into force. Västmanland would continue to have blue-yellow uniforms, but unlike the classic Carolean uniform, this would have an unbuttoned coat with yellow lapels and an upright collar. In addition, during the Age of Liberty, gaiters had been standard, which according to m/1765 were to be black.

The material for Västmanland's first and only m/1765 uniforms was delivered in December 1770 and the regiment was mustered for the first time with the new uniforms in 1773. However, the cloaks were missing and had still not been delivered four years later. The grenadier caps had been worn out during the Seven Years’ War, but were still in use until 1778.

Non-commissioned officer, musketeer and drummer with uniform m/1765 (drawn by Jacob Gillberg in 1765)

Gustavian Uniforms

When the Gustavian Age began in 1772, Västmanland Regiment had just received its first m/1765 uniforms. Minor changes took place during the 1770s, however, as can be seen if you compare the pictures above from 1765 and 1778. White gaiters were introduced for parade use alongside the black gaiters that would continue to be used in the field. The hat was also provided with yellow plumes, which became a characteristic of the Swedish army. Changes in fashion also meant that the front of the tricorne hat became increasingly flatter, so that by the end of the 18th century it had transformed into a bicorne. Something that was not common for the Swedish army but a distinctive feature of Västmanland Regiment, however, was the introduction of a red neckcloth.

Grenadier cap from around 1780, which was used by grenadiers until 1806 and then by pioneers. Instead of bearskin, horsehair was used to reduce the cost. The original brass plate was replaced in the 1790s when the braided wool cord was also added.

However, the really big change came on 28 April 1778 when Gustav III introduced the so-called "national costume" that he wanted Swedes to wear instead of following foreign fashion. This dress officially replaced the m/1765 only when a new uniform regulation was decreed on 6 October 1779. But Gustav III was clear from the very beginning about his desire that the uniforms be changed to the match the national costume as soon as possible. Västmanland’s colonel and the king's brother, Fredrik Adolf, was therefore instructed to ensure that the regiment's officers and non-commissioned officers wore the national costume from the start on 28 April 1778. For the privates, most regiments chose to re-sew their old m/1765 uniforms so that they would match the m/1779, but Fredrik Adolf found a different solution. In May 1778, he requested that the privates’ new “släpmundering” (work clothes), which the rote peasants were obliged to pay for, be made of broadcloth and instead become the regiment's new regular uniform. The switch would then be completed by making the old m/1765 uniform the new släpmundering. This was approved by the king, who had also approved a request earlier that year that the crown would pay for new grenadier caps (4 NCO caps and 100 privates caps). However, Fredrik Adolf himself paid for new parade uniforms for the musicians that were sewn with his colours, scarlet and light blue.

Although the cut of the m/1779 uniforms was radically different, the colours were largely the same as m/1765. The jacket was dark blue with a yellow baize lining and provided with yellow lapels, cuffs, collar and piping. The only difference was that the waistcoat and breeches became white. This change was all the more noticeable because Västmanland, unlike most other regiments, retained the curved opening on the jacket that the m/1765 coat had had, making the waistcoat visible. The waistcoat would also have blue cuffs and collar while the boots would have yellow trims.

Grenadier and musketeer with uniform m/1792.

Strangely enough, the new uniform was already deemed unfit at the general muster in 1783. However, it may be that they were actually referring to the old uniform that was now being used as a släpmundering. When it became necessary to obtain a new släpmundering a couple of years later, the previous procedure was repeated. The rote peasants paid for a new uniform and the old uniform then became the släpmundering.

The new uniforms were issued in time for the war against Russia that broke out in the summer of 1788. That same year, the regiment had also been issued new cloaks and belts. Apparently, they received more than 200 cloaks, which was the usual allocation at the time, and after the war, the regiment was urged to use them sparingly. These cloaks and belts, as well as the grenadier caps, had been deemed to be still in usable condition six months into the war. This did not apply to the rest of the uniform, which was considered worn out at the muster in January 1789. The following year, the non-commissioned officers, musicians and provosts had not yet had time to acquire new uniforms, but the rank-and-file then received new uniforms paid for by the crown. These were donated to the rank-and-file in 1791, who were then allowed to use them privately. After the peace, the rote peasants continued to pay for regular uniforms instead of släpmunderingar.

A new uniform model came into force in 1792, which made the jacket longer with yellow turnbacks at the bottom and introduced a blue-yellow sash instead of the waist belt, which was replaced by a shoulder belt. In addition, black gaiters and shoes were reintroduced. It was intended to issue Västmanland's first m/1792 uniforms in 1798, but it was delayed until 1800. At that time the red neckcloths were also reintroduced according to Martin Markelius (however, it is not clear when they disappeared).

The next uniform regulation came in 1802 but there is no information in the sources about whether Västmanland's uniforms were re-sewn to match m/1802. However, we have such information when m/1806 (spring) came into force. On 20 August 1806, new uniforms were requested for the NCOs because it would be too difficult to re-sew their old jackets. But there was no money for this, so the request was rejected. On 15 December of the same year, the uniforms had apparently been re-sewn, as complaints were received that the privates' jackets were too tight and had to be spliced ​​when they were re-sewn. The technique used when sewing the uniforms was to temporarily separate the lining and then turn the jacket inside out so that the inside became the new outside while the old worn outside was covered by the lining that was sewn on again.

Apart from jackets that had been re-sewn at least once, Västmanland regiment had in 1806 complete uniforms and equipment except for the bandoleers and that they only had 923 cloaks. The blue-yellow sashes that were abolished with m/1802 were now again worn by the regiment. In addition, Västmanland had "overcoats and trousers of "buldan" for 600 men, which was a type of work clothes intended for camp service.

A battalion served in Pomerania in 1807 and at a general muster held in Stralsund in June it was noted that uniform items for about 160 men were missing. On this occasion it also seems that the old cloaks were re-sewn into “kapotter”, which meant that they were provided with sleeves.

In the summer of 1807, 968 yellow bandoleers were sent to Västmanland Regiment and in April the following year another 135 of the same colour arrived. The m/1806 was supposed to have white bandoleers, but the new m/1807 uniform with grey jackets was supposed to have black bandoleers. Västmanland may have received undyed yellow bandoleers because the intention was that they would be dyed black once they received the m/1807 uniform. Along with the latter bandoleers, 135 cartridge boxes of the new smaller model were also delivered, as well as 311 furred knapsacks, 229 copper bottles (29 repaired), 60 haversacks, 138 yellow musket belts and 40 yellow waist belts "without brass clasps and plates", the latter intended for non-commissioned officers.

When the Finnish War began in 1808, Västmanland Regiment still had re-sewn jackets from 1800 that were now so worn and faded so that they had acquired a blue-grey colour (and now only had one row of buttons and no lapels). The trousers were still white, and the hats had an appearance that differed from most other provincial regiment. The brim's fold on the left side was shorter and fastened further down. In addition, the hat's brass plate had a design that was typical of artillery.

New m/1807 uniforms had been manufactured but they did not arrive to the regiment before it marched to the Norwegian border. Delivery problems then led to the uniforms being stuck in Karlstad. The Colonel’s Battalion, which was sent to Finland in August 1808, had to fight in Finland wearing the old blue uniforms until the second battalion arrived in early October with the new grey uniforms. According to m/1807, the hats were to have regimental badges but these were not in place until the return home the following year. Västmanland's regimental symbol was a blue and white cross on a round red background (blue on the vertical part of the cross and white on the horizontal part on top of it).

After the deposition of Gustav IV Adolf in 1809, the m/1807 was abolished and the old uniform colours were reintroduced throughout the army. Torsten Holm's regimental history work is not clear, but it seems that Västmanland received new uniforms in 1810. Holm briefly describes the new uniform as consisting of a tail coat-style jacket, wide trousers and a high hat. He also writes that due to French influence it was changed during the reign of Charles XIV Johan by having a red collar and red cuffs, and a shako as a headgear. The modern illustration on the left, however, shows a private Västmanland soldier who had already received red cuffs in 1810.

The shako was officially introduced as a headgear in the Swedish army only in 1815. However, the troops that participated in the campaign in Germany in 1813-1814 had largely replaced the "Swedish hat" with the shako after the Battle of Leipzig when French shakos became Swedish spoils of war. Västmanland was one of the regiments that participated in the campaign.

The picture on the left is a modern watercolour by Helge Werner. It depicts a private and a captain from 1810.

Västmanland Colours

Olof Hoffman's model drawings of Västmanland's m/1686 colonel’s and company colour

The oldest known colours for the Västmanland regiment may have been those that were issued to Åke Oxenstierna's regiment on 14 May 1622. His regiment was a field regiment that recruited men from the entire Uppland Land Regiment’s recruitment area, namely six companies from Dalarna and two each from Västmanland and Uppland. But apparently only the companies from Dalarna and Västmanland received colours on this occasion. The pattern of these eight colours is unknown since we only know how much material was used to make them. Namely white and blue taffeta (worth 16 daler each) as well as yellow taffeta (worth 10 daler) and 8 lodes of silk. However, Höglund has in his book from 2012 (page 71) a depiction of this banner that consists of a yellow St. Andrew's Cross over six horizontal white-blue stripes. Höglund also has information about blue and white colours for "Västmanlanders-Dal men" in 1621 (page 78).

During the Thirty Years' War, the regiment's colours are said to have contained Latin mottos such as "Gustavus Adolphus rex Sueciae defensor fidei" (Gustav Adolf, King of Sweden, defender of the faith).

The battalion that participated in the First Bremen War in 1654 received four colours of "Couleur Tafft" issued by the War College. Their colour is not mentioned, but was apparently determined by the War College, while the regiment was to provide decorations on them on its own. In the same year, the colonel’s battalion paraded at the wedding of Charles X Gustav and they also received four colours, of which the colonel’s colour had the royal and national coat of arms. In 1655, four more colours were issued to the regiment and since it had recently received sea green uniforms, it is possible that these had the same colour. But they could also have been blue. A newly raised company received a blue colour on 11 July 1656, which later ended up in a storage. When even more men were conscripted in 1657, the governor of Västmanland asked to use this blue colour and receive three more colours. The War College replied that they would send three colours and one more colour from elsewhere. The governor was instructed to choose the colours that best matched each other and send back the excess colour.

Taffeta for ten new colours was issued to the troop force that paraded at the funeral of Charles X Gustav in 1660. Four companies from Västmanland were included in this, along with contingents from Uppland, Södermanland and Östergötland. The colours of the different regiments are not described separately, but in total there were 7 ells of bleumorant (pale blue), 21 ells of blue, 7 ells of green, 14 ells of white and 21 ells of yellow taffeta. Holm, but not Wernstedt, mentions that the other four Västmanland companies possibly received new colours in 1661.

The Colonel’s Battalion was assigned to garrison duty in Riga in 1666-1667 and received for that purpose a white colonel’s colour and three blue (bleumorant) company colours. The finials were made of silver-plated iron. Another white colonel’s colour and three blue company colours were issued in connection with Charles XI's accession to the throne in 1672.

The motifs of the Västmanland colours are largely unknown until 1673, when a colour regulation determined that they should contain the coat of arms of Västmanland (three burning mountains). The colonel’s colour would continue to be white while the company colours would now be grass green. In practice, the company colours continued to be blue because in 1674 Baltzar Friedrich delivered one white and 5 blue colours to the part of the Västmanland regiment that was sent to Germany. In 1675 Baltzar Friedrich made three more blue colours that were also provided with laurel wreaths and burning grenades in the corners.

The three companies at home that were commandeered to the navy received in 1678 unpainted colours of green silk that were provided with smooth finials of polished iron. These may have been lost to the Danes in the same year because three originally green colours without decorations are in Danish custody. However, the finial on them are said to have been gilded.

A further six green company colours and a white colonel’s colour were issued in 1679-1680 and these had smooth silvered finials. The colours had been painted in Hamburg in 1658 by Peter Blohm and had been intended for other regiments. The motif on the colonel’s colour which was originally intended for Kronoberg Regiment, consisted of the Swedish national coat of arms in a laurel wreath and the king's crowned monogram in each corner. The company colours were originally intended for Närke-Värmland and Västgöta-Dal, but the distribution between them is unclear. At least one Västgöta-Dal colour was issued and it was grass green with a motif consisting of two guard bowls with a sword between them and the motto "Sit iusta Deus" (May the scales be fair, O God). Two more Västgöta-Dals colours may have been issued to Västmanland Regiment. One of them had on one side a triumphal column with the text "Spartam orna" (Honour Sparta) and on the other side two golden crowns. The motif of the second company colour was the royal monogram in a laurel wreath. The company colours of Närke-Värmland are described below in blue text.

The colours from 1658 were provisional and already in 1684, a new set made by Baltzar Friedrich was issued. The new company colours were also grass green, but their motif was now the coat of arms of Västmanland in a laurel wreath and burning grenades in the corners. The colonel’s colour consisted of the Swedish national coat of arms in the middle and the coat of arms of Västmanland in the upper inner corner.

When a new colour regulation came into force in 1686, it was determined that the seven company colours would be white and decorated with the coat of arms of Västmanland (three blue-grey burning mountains) in the middle and blue flames from each corner and side. The colonel’s company would, as before, have a white colour with the Swedish national coat of arms in the middle and the coat of arms of Västmanland in the upper inner corner. But m/1686 also added two lions holding up the national coat of arms.

Västmanland was supposed to be the first regiment to receive m/1686 colours, but a delay in production meant that it was not until 20 July 1689 that the regiment was issued a set of colours painted by Olof Hoffman (the same man who painted the model drawings above). These were then replaced in 1701 with a new set of colours, again painted by Olof Hoffman, and carried by the regiment until the Battle of Poltava. Västmanland's colours seem to have stood out in the eyes of the Russians by being worn out. At least one colour was so worn that the painting was unrecognisable. The staffs were, according to the same descriptions, made of spruce. None of Olof Hoffman's Västmanland colours have been preserved. Those that the Russians took were destroyed when the Kremlin burned down in 1737.

Company colours in use 1710-1713 and now kept in Denmark and Russia respectively

When Västmanland Regiment was restored in 1710, they received a new set painted by either Daniel Stawert or Johan Wikman. This was already lost in 1713 because of the capitulation in Tönning. The victors divided the spoils so that the Russians received five company colours (one of which is depicted above) and the Danes received the remaining two company colours. The colonel’s colour was probably given to the Saxons, but it has not been preserved. The colours kept in Denmark have blue-painted staffs.

Company colour in use 1715-1717

When the regiment was restored for the second time, it was not until 1715 that they received any colours, and then only four (painted by Johan Wikman). The colonel’s colour and a company colour were then lost in the battle of Moss during the Norwegian campaign of 1716. The preserved company colour in the picture above has a blue-painted staff that is 3.56 meters long while the colour itself is 178 cm high and 216 cm wide.

Colonel’s and company colour in use 1717-1730

A new set of eight colours were issued in 1717, which were made in intarsia by Johan Wikman. These were described in 1727 as "old but still usable " and two years later as "completely worn and useless". The colours are about 170 cm high and just over 2 meters wide. The company colours were equipped with 320 cm long blue-painted pine staffs. The colonel’s colour today has a brown-painted staff, but it is not original.

Colonel’s and company colour in use 1730-1739

A new set of eight colours made by Johan Wikman, was issued in 1730. However, the colours were made of taffeta which was obviously of inferior quality since the colonel complained in the same year that the painting on several colours was broken and peeling. In 1736, the War College stated that the colours were so worn that they were only suitable for drills and musters but not for a campaign. The colours originally had a height of about 154 cm and a width of 220 cm. The staffs were about 334 cm long and were made of brown-painted pine.

Colonel’s and company colour in use 1739-1771

The set from 1730 was replaced in 1739 by four colours embroidered by Tobias Leij the Elder. The colonel’s colour was originally provided with open crowns in the outer and lower corners, but the one in the lower outer corner has apparently been replaced with a closed crown and the upper outer corner lacks a crown altogether. The pole is of white-painted pine while the company colour has a brown-painted pole. The colours in this set seem to have originally been about 180 cm high and 213 cm wide.

Tobias Leij the Elder's set was in turn replaced in 1771 by four colours embroidered by his son Tobias Leij the Younger. At that time, the colour regulation from 1686 had been replaced by the regulation of 1766, which meant that Västmanland colours would have a shield outline around the Västmanland provincial coat of arms consisting of palm leaves and a crown in gold. This set was then worn by the regiment until 1804 when it was replaced by five m/1766 colours made by Frans Oldenburg. In 1814, the regiment received another m/1766 company colour, this time embroidered by Ann Marie Fellborg.

All m/1766 colours were replaced in 1820 when the regiment received two m/1819 battalion colours. The appearance of these were identical for all regiments. It consisted of a Swedish flag that contained the small national coat of arms in the middle of the cross. It was not until 1859, when the 1820 colours were replaced by m/1849 colours, that the Västmanland colours once again were adorned with the provincial coat of arms.

Colonel’s and company colour in use 1804-1820

Links to Preserved Colours

Other Equipment

At the muster in 1694, it was noted that the uniforms "had been damaged to some extent by rats and vermin". Therefore, these were to be stored in chests "which are tight, having feet that are half an ell high from the floor" (Bellander, page 215).

A proposal for a baggage train from 24 September 1701 states that the baggage train would consist of 137 officer's servants, 72 company train boys, 290 officer's horses, 72 company train horses and 32 canteen horses (Nordensvan page 127).

Höglund states that the regiment was armed with 1200 muskets when it was restored in 1709/1710. According to Holm, not everyone had received swords in time for the Scanian campaign and the baggage train was completely missing (which included tents).

According to the Danish General Staff (Tuxen volume 4, page 181), one third of Västmanland Regiment was armed with pikes at the Battle of Gadebusch. However, Melker Falkenberg, who was colonel from 1710 to 1716, requested in 1715 muskets for the entire regiment, which needed new equipment after the capitulation at Tönning (Holm page 163). It seems strange that the regiment, which according to Höglund only had muskets in 1710, would have switched to pikes and then returned to muskets despite having the same colonel during that period. In any case, Charles XII decided in 1716 that all regiments should consist of one third pikemen. In the summer of 1719, a temporary rearmament of pikemen took place in the regiments that protected the coast against Russian raids so that they received muskets instead. The pikemen were soon to be reintroduced, but at that time they only constituted a quarter of the men.

In 1712, according to Anders Larsson, Västmanland had 226 regular infantry tents made of canvas with iron-studded poles and leather reinforced corners. He also states that in 1721 they had 20 new painted drums with sheet metal.

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