The cap of the lower ranks of artillery and engineering troops, 1910s.

The combination of red and black colors appeared in the uniforms of gunners and sappers back in the XVIII century . Interestingly, these two types of troops have been operating side by side since the time of Peter the Great, since sappers were needed both for the construction of fortifications armed with cannons and for the transportation of heavy guns (construction of bridges and crossings). Since the beginning of the XIX century, black collars with red trim, cuffs and cap bands have become mandatory accessories of artillery and engineering troops, which differed among themselves in the color of the metal equipment of uniforms – gold for gunners and silver for sappers. Over time, the color of the soldier's uniform cloth in order to save money became darker, so that the "dark green" cloth of the end of the XIX century. in practice, it had a completely black color and acquired a greenish tint only when fading. Thus, the caps of the lower ranks of artillery, engineering and technical troops became completely black, with three red edging, which is clearly depicted, for example, in the well-known tables of uniforms of the Russian army of 1910.

A cap with a visor traditionally relied on two categories of military personnel: field sergeants (vakhmistrs) and non-combatant. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the posts of field sergeants were usually occupied by sub-ensigns, who were entitled to an officer's cockade according to the staff. The so-called "non–commissioned officer" cockade with a grained rim is originally installed here, so it can be argued with a high degree of probability that the cap belonged to a non-combatant - a foreman, a clerk, an employee of an artillery warehouse or arsenal. The thing is undoubtedly made to order: the crown and band are made of cloth of better quality than the soldier's, the edging is made of officer's cloth, the visor is made of thin leather, the collar and lining are made of oilcloth. The last detail is a clear imitation of officers' caps, often made on a leather lining to protect against moisture. A completely original rare item in a good collector's condition.