Coat of arms (cockade) from the officer's cap of the southern military districts of the sample of 1899, version without enamel

When the "national cut" uniforms were introduced in the early 1880s, lamb hats were introduced for all troops as a ceremonial headdress, which differed somewhat in cut in infantry and cavalry. However, by the end of the 1890s, it became obvious that for the southern military districts (Odessa, Caucasian, Turkestan), lamb hats are an unnecessary waste of government funds, and in hot weather, wearing such a headdress is fraught with heat stroke. In addition, a headdress without a visor did not protect the eyes from the bright sun, which was also harmful to health and, in addition, worsened the accuracy of shooting. Therefore, on June 26, 1899, for the ranks of all the listed Odessa, Caucasian and Turkestan military districts, shearling caps and capless caps were abolished. For all ranks in these districts, a cap with a visor was introduced as a single ceremonial headdress. The coat of arms from the cancelled caps was attached to the crown of the cap, to which the insignia was soldered on top (in those shelves to which it was assigned). The sign, as before, had the appearance of an arched ribbon with pigtails, but its outlines were different from those of earlier signs in order to match the shape of the crown of the cap. Caps with coats of arms existed for only eight years and were abolished on November 15, 1907, more such coats of arms were never used in the Russian army. Signs with the inscription "For distinction" (without specifying for which battle or campaign) complained to the troops until 1831, therefore, this sign belonged to one of the old regiments of the Russian army. The size is 56*81 mm. Judging by the preserved gilding, it belonged to an officer of one of the units stationed in Georgia (it was from this region that the coat of arms came). A very rare item in excellent collectible condition.