Vizor cap , hat , pilotka Infantry Red Army , Soviet Union 1918-1991

This category presents soldier's and officer's caps. Also here you can find soldier's and officer's and general's caps of the Red Army and the Soviet Union. This section contains marshal's caps and even the cap of the USSR Generalissimo Stalin.

1. Soldier’s and Officer’s Caps (Red Army and Soviet Union)

Soldier’s Caps (Early Red Army, 1917–1930s)

Budyonovka: The Budyonovka was a soft, woolen, peaked cap with a star on the front and earflaps. It was introduced in the early days of the Red Army and became iconic during the Russian Civil War (1917–1922). This cap was named after Semyon Budyonny, a prominent Soviet military leader, and was worn by rank-and-file soldiers.
- Design: It had a distinctive front with a high peak and a red star at the front.
- Material: Wool, with a soft, foldable design for warmth.

Officer’s Caps (1930s–1940s)

By the 1930s, the Budyonovka was replaced with a more formal, structured cap for officers.
Officer’s Visor Cap: This became the standard headgear for officers in the Red Army. The officer’s cap had a visor (often made of leather) and a golden or silver star insignia. The cap also featured a sash band that reflected the branch of service:
- Infantry: Dark green with a red band.
- Artillery and Tank Units: Dark green with red piping.
- Air Force: Blue or light blue with piping.
The visor cap was worn by Soviet officers throughout much of the World War II period and the postwar years.

2. General’s Caps (1930s–1991)

General’s Visor Cap

Design: General’s caps were more elaborate versions of the officer’s visor cap. They often had additional ornamentation such as gold braid, a double-headed eagle, or a gold trim around the band to denote high rank.
- Branch Colors: Like the officer’s cap, the color of the piping and band was indicative of the officer’s branch.
- Stars: The cap featured a large gold or silver star on the front to denote rank. Generals and higher-ranking officers were also distinguished by more pronounced features such as embroidered gold stars or distinctive piping on their caps.

Marshal’s Cap

Design: The marshal’s cap was one of the most distinct types of headgear in the Soviet military. It was reserved for the highest-ranking officers, the Marshals of the Soviet Union.
- Color: Like the general’s cap, it had a dark green base, but it was adorned with golden braid and had gold stars prominently displayed.
- Ornaments: The visor cap had double gold piping around the edges, with gold tassels hanging from the sides, signifying the prestigious rank.
- Stars and Insignia: A gold star was placed on the front of the cap, which could be larger and more ornate than those worn by generals.
Marshals such as Georgy Zhukov, Klement Voroshilov, and others wore this distinguished cap. The Marshal's star, which was a unique five-pointed gold star, was often seen on the front of the cap.

3. Special Caps for High-Ranking Officers

Cap of the USSR Generalissimo (Stalin’s Cap)

Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, held the rank of Generalissimo during World War II. In recognition of this exceptional title, Stalin wore a special, highly distinctive cap that was unique in Soviet military history.
- Design: Stalin’s cap was similar to the marshal’s cap but even more ornate and distinctive. The cap had a wide, gold band at the front, with gold stars affixed to the band.
- Additional Features: Stalin’s cap also featured a red star placed on the front of the cap, and it was embellished with gold embroidery. The cap’s overall appearance was designed to reflect Stalin’s supreme authority and unique position within the Soviet military hierarchy.
- Piping and Braid: The red piping around the cap indicated that it was for a high-ranking official, and the golden braid was used to highlight his importance.
Stalin’s Generalissimo cap was worn only during the World War II period when Stalin personally took control of the Soviet Armed Forces and adopted the title of Generalissimo. The cap became an emblem of his dominance in both military and political spheres.

4. The Ushanka (Fur Hat)

The ushanka is a traditional Russian winter hat with earflaps that could be tied up on top of the cap or worn down to cover the ears. Though primarily worn in winter months, it was a common piece of headgear worn by soldiers, officers, and generals during the colder months.

Design: The ushanka had a round shape with flaps that could be tied up or down, protecting the ears from the harsh cold.
Branch Colors: The ushanka’s colors and features could vary by branch:
- Army: Typically olive green or dark green.
- Air Force and Navy: The ushanka for the Air Force could be blue, while the Navy version was white or navy blue.

The ushanka was also worn by military personnel for ceremonial events, especially in colder regions or during wintertime.

5. Soviet Officer’s Parade Hat

For ceremonial or parade purposes, Soviet officers would wear a more formal, highly decorated cap, often similar to the Marshal’s cap, but with additional ceremonial embellishments:

Gold and Silver Braid: The hat was adorned with gold braid and could feature silver embroidery for high-ranking officers.
Ornaments: The officer’s parade cap would have distinctive rank insignia, such as stars or laurel wreaths.

Summary of Soviet Caps by Rank:

Soldiers: Wore simple Budyonovka (early years) or simple caps for rank-and-file troops.
Officers: Wore visor caps with a red band and gold star for lower-ranking officers, and more elaborate caps with gold braid for higher officers.
Generals: Wore visor caps with gold embroidery, a gold star, and additional decorations to denote their rank.
Marshals: Wore the most elaborate caps with gold braid, gold stars, and special insignia to denote their supreme status.
Joseph Stalin (Generalissimo): Wore a unique cap with additional gold braid, stars, and special features to signify his title and leadership.
Ushanka: Worn in winter by all ranks, including officers and generals, for warmth.