Plaque with Grenadier caps of the Grenadier officer, musketeer mouth Naryshkin regiment Holstein troops

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

Emperor Peter III, born Karl Peter Ulrich, the son of the daughter of Peter I of princes Anna Petrovna and the Duke of Schleswig-Holstein, Karl Friedrich, birth and wore the same Ducal title as his father. In 1739, after the death of the father, the son, Karl Peter Ulrich became the nominal head of a small state and commander in chief of the Holstein army. Since 1742 the Prince lived in St. Petersburg and was raised as the heir to the Russian throne, but the title of the Duke of Holstein, he retained to the end of life. In the literature it is considered that, becoming the heir, the future Emperor Peter III brought to Russia a small detachment of troops golshtinsky, became his personal guard, which was very relevant in the era of Palace coups. Holstein part was stationed in the vicinity of St. Petersburg, mainly in Oranienbaum, where the so-called "small court" of the heir. Any accurate data on their composition and strength to 1756, has not been preserved. It is known that regiments were called Prussian style, the names of the chefs. In 1761 the Holstein troops consisted of four musketeer regiments (Naryshkin, Aug, Kattenburg and Zege von Manteuffel), the two Grenadier battalions (Essen and Weiss), garrison regiment Kruger, Olderogge artillery battalion, two regiments of Dragoons (Leib-Dragoon and Prince Ludwig), three cuirassier (Leuven, Lotzova and Shield) and two hussar (Cobaltite and Second hussar) regiments. After the reign of Peter III of Holstein's role in court life has increased significantly. They have become a mainstay of the new Emperor, and they have been reformed on the Prussian manner of the entire Russian army. In practice, however, the Holstein in terms of permissiveness, they quickly caused dissatisfaction of Russian officers and the common people, that many contributed to the success of a Palace coup in July 1762, In a very short time after the end of the Holstein units were disbanded, and the use of assigned uniforms discontinued.

Unlike the Russian army, Holstein troops wore uniforms of blue, by the cut and decoration of the almost completely repeats the Prussian. Difference mouth musketeer Grenadier regiment Naryshkin3em"> (before 1758 – musketeer Prince Wilhelm regiment) was a very peculiar Grenadier caps, supposedly originating from hats guard the Holstein Duchy. This sample had a unique design nalobnik. Usually the latter is a metal plate embellished the stamped image and attached to the frame caps. Same Grenadier officer hat musketeer regiment Naryshkin had nalobnik the same shape that metal, but solid (presumably leather), covered crimson (applied regimental color) velvet. The edges nalobnik trimmed with Golden lace with floral patterns woven in lace of blue and crimson silk. On the front of the nalobnik fastened the heavy brass gilded figural plaque, surmounted by the Imperial crown. In the center of the plaque was placed the locket with the monogram "PF" (Peter F.) a slanted Latin letters, on a background of dark green enamel. Above the medallion is depicted the small size of the Russian double-headed crowned eagle with spread wings, below a crowned medallion with a figure in ancient armor and the Latin motto "OTIA MARTIS" — "the Rest of Mars." The remaining space is filled with images of military trophies and ornament in the Baroque style. Around the perimeter of the badge has a characteristic pair of holes for sewing it to the nalobnik by means of thin copper wire. The piece is made by punching and subsequent stamping and engraving, which is especially noticeable when comparing the obverse and sunk relief. The image on the obverse has beautiful detail, down to the smallest. Unfortunately, in the process of existence of the object was damaged and fell apart into several pieces, subsequently roughly connected by brass lining rivets, missed punched in the badge holes. However, all of the parts were lost, only the cross on top the crown — all other parts are preserved. Lost also a large part of the enamel in the medallion, but its remnants can accurately reproduce the original color. In places not affected by the holes, the coinage have been preserved almost perfectly, as well as fire-gilding of the highest quality. All this makes the subject quite suitable for skilled restoration. With regard to age, a short period of use (only six years) and the very low spread (no more than 15 – 20 s) this badge is a rarity in the true sense of the word. It is preserved in a single copy.

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