Shako coat of arms of the Vilna infantry regiment of the sample of 1828

Before the reforms of Nicholas I, only the guard had the right to wear headdresses – other units had to be content with much more modest fittings in the form of shields, grenadines or cloth cockades. When the shakos of a new model were introduced in 1828, it was decided to assign coats of arms to army units, moreover, which differed from 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 place of the regiment in the division, and in the cavalry – by the combination of the color of applied cloth and instrument metal. With shakos of the sample of 1828, the coat of arms in the form of a double-headed eagle with wings spread out to the sides, holding a wreath and a torch in its paws, and resting on a shield in the form of a pelta. The number assigned to one or another regiment was traced on the shield field. The numbers of the color of the black cloth cap of the shako on the golden or silver shield were noticeable from afar and quite convenient. The number "96" according to the schedule of 1828 was assigned to the Vilna Infantry Regiment. It should be noted that at that time the number was not yet part of the name of the regiment, as was the case after 1864.

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 with an increase in their number. Infantry regiments were combined with jaegers, with the assignment of new numbers, however, to replace the prosechnaya number, it would have been necessary to order a new coat of arms or a new shield. The way out was found 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 shield fasteners are visible on the sides of the number. In 1833, the Vilna Infantry Regiment was merged with the 48th Jaeger Regiment, renamed the Vilna Jaeger Regiment and received the number "32" to be worn on buttons and on the shield of the shako coat of arms. 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 come down to our days in very small quantities. This item is an exception – it is well preserved and will decorate any collection.