Winter helmet (Budenovka) of the rank and file of the Red Army cavalry in 1936

Baize, broadcloth, satin. The original Budenovka is in good collector's condition. The cap is made of gray flannel, and a dark blue cloth star is sewn on it to signify membership in the cavalry. Size 55-56. It is equipped with a 31 mm 1936 star with an overhead SiM. The stamps are missing or worn out. Guarantee of authenticity.

In 1936, by order of the NCO of the USSR No. 229, new rules for wearing military uniforms were introduced. Here is what it said about the winter helmet for the command and commanding staff of the Red Army: "... The helmet is made of helmet cloth ... with a pointed top ending with a button. The cap is sewn from 6 wedges; in front, at the base, it has a visor made of the same cloth, and at the back a folding and fastening cap. The cuffs (ends) of the back of the head are fastened with 2 uniform brass yellow buttons of small size. The cotton cap of the helmet is made with a satin lining. In front of the hood, above the visor (two cm from it), a cloth star (8 cm in diameter) is sewn in the color of the military branch and a metal command star is attached to it...".

The helmet was allowed to be worn in two positions: folded or (in case of frost at least 10 degrees Celsius) unfolded. Until 1939, belt loops (leather or fabric sewing loops sewn on its sides) were used to fasten a folded back of the head. The presence of such loops often helps a collector in dating a helmet, especially when it comes to late designs.

Standard No. 1441 of December 15, 1938, approved a new helmet design, which had through loops cut into the back of the head, the height of which was increased. The material from which the helmets were made was cloth (merino or instrument).

Such a famous Red Army headdress as Budenovka existed until July 1940. The experience of military operations against Finland in the Winter War of 1939-1940 revealed insufficient thermal protection properties of a winter helmet. In connection with this, by order of the NCO of the USSR No. 187 of July 5, 1940, instead of a winter helmet, i.e. "budenovka", earflaps were introduced: for higher, senior and middle-ranking officers and superannuated clergy – made of woolen fabric and natural fur in gray, for conscripts – made of cotton helmet cloth and artificial fur gray in color. The higher, senior and middle management staff were allowed to sew hats at their own expense from natural lamb and gray astrakhan.

Nowadays, "Budenovka" is only an attribute of feature films about the Red Army and the Civil War, and has become a collector's item for fans of military history, a souvenir for foreigners – we are talking about a souvenir-a new model, "Budenovka", which is replicated by sewing enterprising craftsmen.