Caps of the Soviet MGB/KGB

Included here are caps worn by officers and men of the uniformed elements of the MGB/KGB (Ministry (MGB) from 1946-1953, and Committee (KGB) from 1954-1991). During those first years, the MGB wore the same blue-topped caps used by the NKVD (see the NKVD/MVD page for pictures of these caps). Only after the KGB was formed in 1954 did the well-known blue banded caps which are displayed on this page appear. Although most KGB personnel did not wear uniforms, of those that did, the most visible provided security for the Kremlin and guarded Lenin's tomb. Other small uniformed units existed to provide security, intelligence and communications support to the party and state leadership.

This cap reflects those manufactured immediately after square visors fell out of use. Produced in 1957, it retains a teller shape and a one-piece WWII era red star badge. It has a black oilcloth chinstrap, a rounded-edge fiberboard visor and standard Army buttons. The traditional Soviet State Security dark blue was used for cap band and piping color. Scarce

KGB
Officer Parade
1955-1958

The KGB also followed the 1955 "Zhukov" uniform regulation changes and adopted a medium gray (steel) parade uniform. Matching caps had gray crowns and gold cords while new emblems were added in the form of the M55 parade cockade and metal visor leaves. Cap band color and piping was traditional state security dark (royal) blue. Scarce-Rare

KGB
Officer Service
1955-1969

Part of the KGB officer's service uniform worn from 1955 to 1969, this cap is typical of Soviet uniforms before the 1970 "modernization". It has a teller shaped khaki crown (with wire removed to give it that "experienced" look), black oilcloth chinstrap and rounded fiberboard visor. The cockade is the first pattern officers' oval standardized in 1955 made of heavy brass and high quality enamels. Traditional Soviet State Security dark blue was used for cap band and piping color. Scarce

KGB
Officer Parade
1958-1969

This cap was part of the new khaki parade uniform introduced for officers in 1958 following the abolition of the gray 1955 "Zhukov" uniform. Less elaborate than its predecessor, it lost its special "steel" color and its visor decoration. As with other KGB caps, this one mirrored those introduced into the Soviet Army (except for band/piping color). This particular cap was manufactured in 1963. The still-teller shaped crown was khaki while the band and piping were bright blue. The reduced-size parade cockade/emblem was identical to that used by the air force - the normal M1955 cockade surrounded by a wreath. This emblem was initially made in two pieces connected by pins as shown here, but was later simplified into a one piece casting. Along with the special cockade, parade status was indicated by wear of gold filigreed cords held in place above a black lacquered fiberboard visor. Scarce

KGB
General Parade-Walking Out
1970-1980

Like their Army counterparts, KGB generals were authorized a special light gray parade walking-out summer uniform in 1954. A matching gray cap was worn with this uniform until 1980, when the normal wave-green parade cap replaced it. This particular example is a later version cap identical in design to the post-1980 KGB general's service cap. The cap has gilt wire leaves embroidered on the band surrounding a general's all gilt cockade (as introduced in 1970), a patent leather visor, gold cords, and general officer buttons. Of note, the embroidery around the cockade is the rarer "expanded" type, with seven leaves on each side of the cockade, vice the normal four. Inside, it has a leather sweatband and silk lining. Although Army and Air Force versions of this cap are easily available, KGB and MVD versions are rare and seldom seen. Rare

KGB
General Parade
1970-1991

Another of the most beautiful Soviet parade caps! Similar to Army general's parade caps except in its royal blue banding and piping, this cap has appropriate parade-style gilt wire leaves embroidered on the band surrounding a general's all gilt cockade, a patent leather visor and natural color leather chinstrap with gold wire embroidery, and general officer buttons. Inside, it has a leather sweatband and silk lining.

Of all the caps shown on my site - this one is perhaps the most controversial in regard to whether it was actually worn or reflects post-Soviet manufacture for the collector market. And in fact, this cap is surprisingly available to collectors (also like the Border Guard generals' caps discussed later). If "original", clearly there must have been a warehouse full of never issued caps that made it onto the market. Unfortunately, it seems more likely that Russian/Ukrainian uniform shops manufactured them solely for sale to collectors. See my "Fakes" section for more discussion of this and similar generals' caps. But despite confirmed post-USSR manufacture, it does not mean all these and other KGB generals' caps are fake. In fact, there is some acedotal evidence that KGB generals did wear these blue trimmed uniforms at internal KGB ceremonies. But without pictures or clearly dated caps, it has thus far proved impossible to prove either way. Watch the skies! Available

KGB
Soldier/Sergeant Parade
1970-1991

Introduced by the 1970 uniform regulations, this cap served double duty as both parade and service cap for sergeants and, more seldom, rank and file personnel through 1991 (although the visorless pilotka was usually worn as the service cap). Since the wave-green parade uniform was reserved for officers, the M70 soldiers' parade uniform was in khaki; and indeed, was merely a "badged-up" M70 service uniform. The cap was identical to KGB officers' service caps, except for the use of a black chinstrap and the star & wreath cockade also introduced in 1970. This is an early model of this period, with a very small fiberboard visor. Available

KGB
Officer Parade
1970-1991

Along with the Army and MVD, uniformed elements of the KGB adopted the new wave green officer parade uniform in 1970. This uniform mirrored that of the Army, except for branch color. The traditional State Security color of bright blue was retained and used on both cap band and piping. All other elements of this cap were the same as for the Army; black fiberboard or plastic visor, gold cords, parade cockade, and standard brass Army buttons. Available

KGB
Officer Service
1970-1991

Just as KGB parade uniforms of this period mirrored those of the Army and MVD, so too did KGB service uniforms. As in the Army, the basic uniform and cap crown color were khaki. In the case of the uniformed KGB, however, bright blue was used for the cap band and piping. In all other aspects, this cap replicated that of the Army. It has a "saddle" form crown with a black plastic visor, brass Army style buttons, standard oval officer's cockade and gold cords. Available

KGB
General Service
1980-1991

Just as KGB lower officers' uniforms mirrored those of the Army, this KGB general's service cap is identical to that of an Army general's, with the exception of band and piping color in royal blue. The cap has the appropriate gilt wire leaves embroidered on the band surrounding a general's all gilt cockade. This band ornamentation was introduced on generals' service caps in 1980. It also has a patent leather visor, gold cords, and general officer buttons. Inside, it has a leather sweatband and silk lining. Although theoretically a "lesser" cap, the KGB general's service cap is rarer than its parade version. Scarce

KGB
Lenin's Tomb Guard
1989-1991

As is well known, the NKVD and later, the KGB, had responsibility for guarding the Kremlin and the senior Soviet Party and Government leadership. This force also had the privilege of guarding Lenin's Tomb on Red Square. For much of the post WWII period, these guards wore standard KGB officer parade caps. However, on or about 1989, a special cap ornament was added. This emblem differs from the similar shaped Soviet Army Honor Guard emblem in most of its details - the most significant of which is the use of the Red Star from the top of the Spasskaya Tower as its centerpiece. The cap shown here is one of the few on my site not in my collection. This one is from a French collector and friend - Olivier Lionnais. This is an upgraded cap - equivalent to generals', with a patent leather visor, silk lining and a soft leather sweatband. Rare (with emblem)