Original Item. Only One Available. This is an extremely scarce piece of Imperial Russian headgear, the first of its kind we have ever offered. This is a Mitre cap of the Pavlovsk Grenadier Regiment.  This style of hat was worn by grenadiers throughout the 18th century, although most nations retired them in the Napoleonic era.  The Pavlovsk Grenadiers kept theirs by special order of Emperor Alexander I in order to commemorate their bravery. During the Battle of Klyastitsy, the 2nd battalion encountered a group of French soldiers, who retreated across a bridge, setting it on fire as they did so. They stormed the bridge regardless and continued a pursuit of the French infantry, routing them off the field at bayonet point.

This example is in fantastic condition for its age. Due to this style being worn from the end of the 18th Century up until World War I, this example was likely manufactured during the Napoleonic/Crimean Era and worn continuously through to the end of World War I. The front plate has a gorgeous aged patina, with the wear highlighting the details of the double-headed eagle. The chin scales are mostly retained, with the left piece missing the very end that would connect it to the other side. The rest is retained however, as are the leather straps under them.

The red and cream-colored fabrics of the cap are in amazing condition without any serious moth damage, just wear from age & storage. The “Flaming Bombs” still hold the chin scales in place, although the left example is a bit loose, with the back example still strong. 

The interior of the helmet is still in amazing condition with the sweatband still fully intact and pliable. The interior structure of the hat can be observed here and it is still as strong and when it was constructed.

This is one of the scarcest pieces of Imperial Russian headgear we have ever offered, one we likely won’t encounter again for a long time. Don’t miss out. Comes ready for further research and display.

Pavlovsky Guard Regiment (Russian: Павловский лейб-гвардии полк) was a Russian Imperial Guard infantry regiment. It was formed out of 2 battalions of the Moscow Grenadiers in November 19, 1796. They were given the title of Pavlovsky Life-Guard on April 13, 1813 for their deeds during the 1812 Patriotic war.

The Pavlovsky Grenadiers were formed from 2 detached battalions of the Moscow Grenadiers in November 19, 1796. The basis of their formation was the 77th Tengisky infantry regiment who possessed a similar uniform. They were sent as part of the expedition to Holland in 1799. They were sent to Hanover as part of the Hanover Expedition in 1805 and participated in the War of the Fourth Coalition as well. They're noted to have taken part in battles such as Battle of Czarnowo, where they repulsed the 2nd French attack and under the command of Major Palibin and Lieutenant Colonel Lokhov recaptured a height on the Russian left, dislodging the French in hand-to-hand fighting and recapturing a light battery. The battle of Czarnowo is also where the regiment is known to have distinguished themselves in the fighting.

Their participation in the Battle of Eylau included flanking the French under Major Makhov and Captain Panov, utilising a battalion and 2 companies respectively. They turned back a cavalry charge from Murat's horsemen and captured multiple prisoners, and went on to repulse attacks from Moran, Saint-Illaire and Gudin's divisions.

With the regiment's battalions effectively dispersed across the 3rd Infantry corps under Tuchkov's 1st Western Army and the 32nd infantry division, they fought in numerous battles.

The Battle of Klyastitsy is among their distinguishing moments. Under Captain Kyrlov, the 2nd battalion pursued the dislodged French, who had set fire to the only bridge across the Nischu river. They stormed the bridge regardless and continued a pursuit of the French infantry, routing them off the field at bayonet point.

Their contributions to the Battle of Borodino were made in the fight against V Corps (Grande Armée), initially repulsing them from the Utitska village and heavily damaging a French column in the fighting.

On the day of April 13, 1813, they were given the title of Pavlovsky Life-Guard for the courage rendered in the Patriotic war.