Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent example of a very rare WWI Imperial Russian Enlisted man’s visor cap. These are exceptionally rare pieces, as many did not survive beyond the Russian Revolution of 1917. The cap itself is of incredibly high quality, with a solid visor and a well-retained body which doesn’t have much moth damage. Of note is the inscription written on the lining of the cap which is certainly the name of the soldier who wore it. There’s also a stamped Imperial Eagle on the lining.
The front of the visor retains the correct lower ranks cockade, of orange & black. The original chinstrap is absent on this example, as are the buttons which held it in place. There are small bits of stitching above the cockade, indicating that there was something attached there at one point, but we aren’t sure what could have been here. The front visor is attached but barely, and is rather loose in spots. Some of the stitching is original but it appears some may have been added to repair the visor.
The original sweatband is intact but heavily detached on one side. It is still attached well from the other side. Quite a rare and desirable cap, fresh to the market and ready for display!
The Russian Army During WWI-
At the outbreak of the war, Emperor Nicholas II appointed his cousin, Grand Duke Nicholas as Commander-in-Chief. On mobilization, the Russian Army totalled 115 infantry and 38 cavalry divisions with nearly 7,900 guns (7,100 field guns, 540 field howitzers and 257 heavy guns). There were only 2 army ambulances and 679 cars. Divisions were allocated as follows: 32 infantry and 10.5 cavalry divisions to operate against Germany, 46 infantry and 18.5 cavalry divisions to operate against Austria-Hungary, 19.5 infantry and 5.5 cavalry divisions for the defense of the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea littorals, and 17 infantry and 3.5 cavalry divisions were to be transported in from Siberia and Turkestan.
Among the army's higher formations during the war were the Western Front, the Northwestern Front and the Romanian Front. The war in the East began with the Russian invasion of East Prussia (1914) and the Austro-Hungarian province of Galicia. The first ended in a Russian defeat by the German Empire in the Battle of Tannenberg (1914). In the west, a Russian Expeditionary Force was dispatched to France in 1915. Amid the Russian Revolution of 1917 the Imperial Russian Army collapsed and dissolved. The rebellious remnants of the Imperial army evolved to become part of the new Red Army.
The immediate reason for Russia's involvement in the First World War was a direct result of the decisions made by the statesmen and generals during July 1914. The July Crisis was the culmination of a series of diplomatic conflicts that took place in the decades prior to 1914, and this is fundamental to an understanding of Russia's position immediately prior to the War. According to D. C. Lieven, Russia was formidable and was able to back up her diplomatic policies with force. One of the most significant factors in bringing Russia to the brink of war was the downfall of her economy. The 20 percent jump in defense expenditure during 1866–77 forced them to change their position within Europe and shift the balance of power out of her favour.At the time, Russian infrastructure was backward and the Russian government had to invest far more than its European rivals in structural changes. In addition there were overwhelming burdens of defense, which would ultimately result in an economic downfall for the Russians. This was a major strain on the Russian population, but also served as a direct threat to military expenditure. Thus the only way the Russians could sustain the strains of European war would be to place more emphasis on foreign investment from the French who essentially came to Russia's aid for industrial change. The Franco-Russian Alliance allowed for the Russian defense to grow and aid the European balance of power during the growth of the German Empire's might. Nevertheless, one of the key factors was that of the Russian foreign policy between 1890 and 1914. The Russian army was large, but had poor leadership and poor equipment, and increasingly poor morale until by 1917 it turned against the government.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
