Nalobnik soldier Grenadier caps of the sample 1796

Extremely rare nalobnik in perfect collectible condition. From old domestic collection.

Emperor Paul I is considered the highest authority in the military Affairs of the Prussian king Frederick the Great. Because of this, one of sovremennikov composed at king's sarcastic epigram "Like Friedrich, I will say before the whole world, but not the mind, but the hat and uniform". Its meaning lies in the fact that perceptions of the military, formed in the 1750s, in the heyday of linear tactics, forty years later has become an anachronism that in the end, and showed the defeat of the Prussian forces in 1806 at Jena and Auerstedt. Anyway, since 1796, Russian troops had to periomenopause in the Prussian manner and understand the complex wisdom of the Prussian regulations. The main color of the Russian uniform is dark green – in this case remained unchanged, but the hats have changed dramatically. The Musketeers and Rangers got a triangular hat, and grenadiers – the Grenadier caps, the design of which is rooted in the mid-eighteenth century. In 1762 – 1796 gg hats of this type were worn by the grenadiers of the Gatchina troops – a kind of personal guard of the heir to the throne of Grand Duke Paul Petrovich.

The basis of the cap was a frame made of wicker or whalebone covered with cloth. Technologically cloth part was divided into sides and heel. The band was often dark green, the heel – regimental colors (same as the collar, cuffs and lapels of his uniform). On the band the back is attached to three metal flaming Grenada. For the differences in the battles of metal could fasten the entire back entirely, but in practice, no regiment did not manage to win this collective awards. Along the edges of the cloth part of the frame is trimmed with a woven braid. The height of the cap was about 6.5 inches (29 cm). The front of the hat is attached to a metal nalobnik the same height, the color of which corresponded to a rated shelf the color of the buttons. As before, it is sewn to the frame with thin wire, missed punched in pairs on the edges of the hole, and the bottom was ocontofalls a thin black skin. The image on the nalobnik was a complicated composition, the center of which were placed the state arms of the Russian Empire double – headed eagle under three crowns, scepter and Orb in his claws, surrounded by a scalloped cartouche. Over ready the eagle is depicted in ribbon with braids, bearing the motto "GOD WITH US" in the lower part of the cartouche, three flaming Grenada, with its sides framed floral ornament in Baroque style. The whole composition was crowned with the Imperial crown, and its lower part was the image of "Keizer-flag". The latter is a nothing like the Jack used in the Russian Navy (with red field, direct and oblique white oblique and blue cross). In accordance with the Maritime Statute 1720, the Jack was raised over not only the fortresses and the ships are berthed, but also indicates the presence on the ship General Admiral – the chief of the Russian Navy. On their Grenadier caps "Keizer-flag" depicted as a sign that the post of General-Admiral in 1762, was the great Prince Pavel Petrovich, who had thus the right to use this flag as official. In the regiments, chief of which was the Supreme person, the image of the flag was made of enamel, in other parts there was just vaccinales "without color." A characteristic feature of their sample 1796 – rough enough attention to detail that is associated with the mass character of production.