# Circassian jackets **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 7, 2011, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circassian-jackets/577487 "2011-04-07T03:06:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kilmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a6a055/32.png) [@Kilmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilmore)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circassian-jackets/577487/1 "2011-04-07T03:06:47Z")
I’m assuming that the cylindrical things lined up on the breasts of Circassian jackets are traditionally for carrying bullets. Am I correct? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circassian-jackets/577487/2 "2011-04-07T03:13:13Z")
I found this photo: [http://armenianhouse.org/bliss/turkey/305-circassian-officer.jpg](http://armenianhouse.org/bliss/turkey/305-circassian-officer.jpg) They look more like cigars than rounds. (I can’t tell what they are.) ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circassian-jackets/577487/3 "2011-04-07T03:23:33Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I found this photo: [http://armenianhouse.org/bliss/turkey/305-circassian-officer.jpg](http://armenianhouse.org/bliss/turkey/305-circassian-officer.jpg) Is that the link you intended? The only picture I see there is the cover of a book or magazine, showing what might be the wall of a city or fort, and a gate into it. No people or clothing. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circassian-jackets/577487/4 "2011-04-07T03:24:56Z")
It comes up as an old photograph of a Circassian officer for me. Maybe copy and paste the link? ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circassian-jackets/577487/5 "2011-04-07T04:06:51Z")
That link is weird – it changed on me. Try [this one](http://abdulhamidisani.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/acircassianofficer-thumb.jpg?w=341&h=480). I can’t see putting ammo into whatever those are. Way impractical. And they look too big in diameter and MUCH too long for that purpose. ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circassian-jackets/577487/6 "2011-04-07T04:26:36Z")
They are ornamental cartridge loops, holding capped wood sticks called [gaziri](http://www.tsarsarsenal.com/cossacks.htm). ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circassian-jackets/577487/7 "2011-04-07T04:27:50Z")
Yes, they were originally to hold single charge tubes for old muzzle loading muskets. Think small tubes with a cork in the neck that held enough powder for one charge. They would grab a tube out of the loop, open it and pour it down the muzzle followed by pulling a patch and ball out of a small pouch at their side, and ram it in. Made reloading faster. After they had developed regular ammo the loops became decorative. I actually like the old [szur coat](http://www.reconstructinghistory.com/blog/tags/polish). I got very lucky and scored an almost intact copy of Max Tilke. You should see it in person, puts the [scan](http://www.indiana.edu/~librcsd/etext/tilke/) to shame. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circassian-jackets/577487/8 "2011-04-07T04:30:25Z")
From **yoyodyne** ’s link: > [@](#): > > _Gaziri_ were initially used as caps for gunpowder cartridges but later became purely decorative part of the Cossack uniform worn in the special pockets on the Cherkesska jacket. Large matching sets of 18 gaziri on original wooden holders are rarely found, since, due to high cost, only high ranking and well-to-do Cossacks could afford them. ---
**Author:** ![Kilmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a6a055/32.png) [@Kilmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilmore)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circassian-jackets/577487/9 "2011-04-07T16:04:09Z")
Awesome. Thanks.