The badges of rank as worn by the personnel of all three branches of the service which comprised the land forces of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy were basically identical. Rank was generally indicated by means of stars and lace worn on either a collar patch or affixed directly to the tunic collar. At the outbreak of war stars were manufactured in silver or gold for officers and in white bone or celluloid for Non commissioned officers. Certain Military officials wore rosettes as opposed to stars on the collar patch. As the war progressed, shortages of raw materials resulted in the manufacture of these items in metal or cloth. The lace that had previously been constructed of metallic thread was replaced by a yellow or white silk version. Similarly, collar patches were increasingly replaced in the later war years by a narrow vertical strip positioned behind the rank badges in regimental or corps coloured cloth. http://www.austro-hungarian-army.co.uk/badges/badges.htm
