Shako coat of arms of the lower rank of the Kutuzov-Smolensky infantry regiment

Before the reforms of Nicholas I, only the guard had the right to wear the coat of arms on their headdresses – other units had to be content with much more modest fittings in the form of shields, grenades or cloth cockades. When shakos of a new type were introduced in 1828, it was decided to assign coats of arms to army units, which differed from those of the guards and simplified the definition of a soldier's belonging to a particular regiment. Prior to that, the regimental affiliation was determined by the combination of the division number on the shoulder straps with the color of the shoulder straps, indicating the regiment's place in the division, and in the cavalry by the combination of the color of the applied cloth and instrument metal. Shakos of the 1828 model had a coat of arms in the form of a double-headed eagle with wings outstretched, holding a wreath and a torch in its paws, and resting on a shield in the shape of a pelta. The number assigned to a particular regiment was displayed on the shield field. The numbers in the color of the black cloth cap of the shako on the golden or silver shield were noticeable from afar and quite convenient. According to the 1828 timetable, the number "11" was assigned to the infantry General Field Marshal Kutuzov-Smolensky (aka Pskov Infantry Regiment…

The main drawback of the coats of arms of the 1828 model appeared five years later, with the general reformation of the army infantry in 1833. The reform was aimed at reducing the number of regiments while increasing their numbers. The infantry regiments were combined with the chasseurs, with the assignment of new numbers, however, to replace the cut-through number, a new coat of arms or a new shield would have to be ordered. The solution was found to be very simple: a specially made small shaped shield was mounted on top of the cut-through number, on which, in turn, an invoice number of the opposite color (tinned with a brass coat of arms) was placed. On this coat of arms, the holes from the fastenings of the shield are visible on the sides of the number When the regiment was reorganized in 1833. The regiment was renamed the Jaeger Field Marshal Kutuzov-Smolensky, and if we assume that the coat of arms remained in the same regiment, then the bill of arms should have a tinned bill of arms number 5. Coats of arms of this type were used on shakos, and then on helmets until the 1850s. By the end of their service, the coats of arms of the 1828 model, converted to small shields, were completely worn out and, in accordance with the practice of that time, were scrapped. This process and the receipt of money by the troops for the sale of scrap were strictly controlled, so the coats of arms of the 1828 model have survived to this day in very small quantities. This item is an exception – it is well preserved and will adorn any collection.