Asker, Lebanese Militia, 1903.jpg

This soldier cuts an antiquated figure, even by contemporary Ottoman standards. He forms part of the local paramilitary forces, and is a back-up force for the Army. As such he has received older items of clothing and equipment.

His headdress is the ubiquitous fez (although taller) worn by the military of civil organs of the Empire, as well as most males.

His uniform is of the style known as ‘zouave’. The vest is collarless but has red braid and binding as decoration. Under it is a close fitting shirt again with red binding and braid. Around the waist is wound a cummerbund with belt over the top.

The voluminous trousers are tucked into canvas gaiters worn over boots. This uniform was worn by the regular forces in the 1870s, being progressively relegated to reserve and then local forces over time.

Like his uniform, this soldier’s rifle is an old model. It is a 0.45in M1874 Peabody-Martini rifle with falling block action, again issued to the regular forces in the 1870s. It was, however, used into the Great War when a lack of modern rifles meant that anything was better than nothing.