Facing Colour

Facing Colour.

Facing colour (regimental facings), the colour of the collar a, lapels b, turnbacks c, cuffs d, shoulder straps e, camisole f, mitre bag, regimental colours, company colours, shabrack and pistol covers by which the regiments of a branch of service, in combination with the coat colour and button colour, may be readily differentiated from afar; s. Badges.

With the introduction of embroidered regimental numbers on the shoulder straps, facing colour loses its significance, but is retained for historical reasons as far as possible.

Source: Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon, 6. Auflage 1905–1909

Military Glossary