Caps of the Soviet Navy

Introduction

Included here are caps worn by officers and personnel of the Soviet Navy during the Cold War. A thumbnail image accompanies each cap description. Clicking on that thumbnail will bring up a larger, higher resolution image.

This 1954 dated cap is typical of naval caps of this period. It has the smaller, white piped crown with black ribbon band and small fiberboard visor. The black chinstrap and standard naval "anchor" buttons were worn by all ranks from Chief Petty Officer (CPO) through Captain Second Rank. The main difference between the caps worn by these ranks was the cockade. This one carries the special Chief Petty Officer/Naval Senior Sergeant cockade, consisting of a gold wire embroidered anchor in an oval with an enamel white and red star. The next higher naval enlisted rank (Michman) wore the officer's cockade, while more junior petty officers and seamen wore the simple red star. This special cap emblem was eliminated in the 1969 regulations. As with other naval visor caps of this period, this cap would have stood double duty as part of both winter service and parade uniforms. Scarce

Navy
Seaman Service/Parade
PreWWII-1969

Identical to those worn during WWII, this 1956-dated "bezkozerka" identified the wearer as a seaman or junior petty officer assigned to the Red Banner Baltic Fleet. The cap reflects standard European naval uniform elements in its shape and the ribbon "tally" wrapped around the band. The crown is smaller than those manufactured after 1969 and is made of black wool, vice the cloth blends that came into use in the 1960's. The white piping easily distinguishes the cap as Navy - vice the all black of the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Ministries. The simple red star is characteristic of the period for these junior ranks. This star was of a unique size - smaller than those worn on visor caps and larger than those worn on pilotkas, and was only authorized for the bezkozerka. The lettering on the tally identifying the fleet was standard for all post-war wear (prior to WWII, individual ship tallies were the norm except on shore), but "red banner" designations were apparently dropped from tallies by the late 1960's. Scarce

Navy
Seaman Service/Parade
PreWWII-1969

Another varient of the bezkozerka shown above. This one varies only in the fleet marking - in this case the generic Navy tab and the year of manufacture: 1965. It has the same smaller black wool crown and mid-sized brass and enamal red star. Available-Scarce

Navy
Captain 2nd/3rd Rank
1945-1954

This cap was unchanged in style and accessories from those worn in WWII. The crown is teller shaped, made of heavy black wool. The embroidered wire cockade is the early four-piece version, sewn onto the black silk ribbon secured to the band. The metal leaves pinned through the fiberboard visor and black oilcloth strap mark it as belonging to a Captain 2nd or 3rd rank (a Captain 1st rank would wear gold cords in place of the strap). The visor leaves are an early design with two attachment pins; replaced in 1955 with a more detailed design with three pins. Available-Scarce

Navy Engineering
Officer Service
1945-1969

This cap belonged to a "non-line" naval engineering or technical officer. Like other Navy officer caps of the period - it has a black napped wool crown piped in white, a band surrounded by a black silk ribbon, a rounded black fiberboard visor and a black oilcloth chinstrap. The shape is the standard "teller" form of the pre-1970 era. What sets this cap apart from its common "line" counterparts are its silver ornaments. A heavily oxidized silver wire wreath surrounds an old three-piece cockade also in silver finish. The strap buttons are silver as well, with standard embossed anchors. This metal-color distinction between line and non-line officers disappeared by regulation in 1975 - when all officers went to gold. Scarce

Navy
Extended Service Junior PO/Sergeant
1945-1969

This seldom seen combination of a naval visor cap adorned with the simple red star more commonly seen on the visorless "bezkozerka" was in fact authorized for wear by Petty Officer 1st & 2nd class and equivalent Navy sergeants who had re-enlisted following their conscript service. It would have been worn on both service and parade. It is the lower-rank counterpart of the cap for Chief Petty Officers described above. The wool cap is typical for the period - with the smaller "teller" shaped crown, a rounded fiberboard visor (the squared-off visor was never very popular in the Navy), and black oilcloth chinstrap. The key distinquishing feature for this cap is the use of the brass and enamel red star in place of the cockades used by higher ranking naval personnel. Wear of this star/visor combination was apparently abolished following the 1969 uniform regulations when such re-enlisted personnel (and later warrant officers - Michmen) were authorized to wear the officer's cockade. Available (if assembled from components) - Rare otherwise

Navy
Captain 1st Rank
1950's-1969

Although made in the 50's, his cap is virtually identical in appearance to those worn by Captains 1st Rank (senior captain) of WWII. The same cap is worn for both service and parade wear. The cap has a black wool crown with white piping and a black band. The band is mostly covered by a tally ribbon - but without the lettering or the "tails" of the enlisted cap. All badges and buttons are in gold - reserved for line officers during this period. The metal leaves on the visor and embroidered leaves surrounding the cockade mark it as a senior officer's cap, while the gold cords were only worn by Captains First Rank and Admirals during this period. Although the cap was manufactured in the 1950-1960s, the anchor on the front of the cockade is more modern. Anchor elements used in the 1950's had a separate wire "rope" rather than the later one piece casting shown here. Available

Navy
Captain 1st Rank
1950's-1969

The summer counterpart to the cap just described above, this too was only worn by Captains 1st Rank for both service and parade wear. Instead of the winter black wool crown with white piping, this cap is designed with a removable white cover pulled over a white fabric/metal support framework. Piping is white and the band is covered by a black ribbon as usual. The accoutrements are the same as on the winter cap - the combination of which marks it as a Captain's First Rank cap. The four-part cockade is representative of the period, with separate bullion wreath, metal cockade, anchor and separate gilt wire "fouling" the anchor. This assembled piece is attached to the band with a number of straight loop-topped pins. This mounting practice was unique to officers of the Soviet Navy. Available

Navy
Seaman Service/Parade
1970-1991

The black winter "bezkozirka" is essentially a visorless visor cap, prompting its inclusion here. This traditional cap of not only the Russian/Soviet navy, but also of most other European navies, it served as both the service and parade (and combat) cap of Soviet seamen. The color and style of this cap have remained virtually unchanged since early Soviet years, although white piping was added after WWII and crown size increased in 1970. The cap shown here has a Baltic Fleet tally and the star & wreath cockade introduced in 1970. A summer version of this cap also exists, all in white with a black band and tally. Note: certain fleet and school tallies are rarer than others and affect the cap's availability and worth. Common (with this tally)

Navy
Seaman Service/Parade
1970-1991

The white summer/tropical counterpart to the black winter "bezkozirka" above. The cap shown here has the generic Soviet Navy tally - the most common variant. The white cover fits over the black crown and is detachable for cleaning or replacement. All other elements are the same as for the black cap above. Common (with this tally)

Navy Guards
Seaman Service/Parade
1970-1991

Identical in style to the previous winter "bezkozirka" - this 1983 dated cap differs only in its ribbon tally. Instead of the standard overall black, this one is in "Guards" colors, with alternating bands of black and orange. On the tally in gold lettering is "Black Sea Fleet" in Cyrillic. Only personnel assigned to ships or naval units designated as "Guards" within this fleet could wear this tally, representing their elite status. Available

Navy Guards
Seaman Service/Parade
WWII-1969

This is an earlier "bezkozirka" dating from 1967, although only the later painted aluminum star distinguishes it from identical caps going back to WWII. The cap is the smaller teller shape of the period, made from black wool piped in white. As with the cap above, this one also belonged to a sailor assigned to a "Guards" ship or unit, designated by the yellow and black striped silk ribbon (tally). On the tally is printed "Red Banner Baltic Fleet" in gold Cyrillic letters. This particular title was only in use from 1957 to 1976, after which the precursor "Red Banner…" was discontinued. The only ornament is a standard red star worn for both service and parade wear until 1970. Scarce

Navy Guards
Seaman "De-mobilization"
1970-1991

An interesting variant of the caps just described, this bezkozerka was worn by a seaman of a guards crew stationed with the Northern Fleet. Although the cap itself is standard guards issue, it has been modified by its owner in anticipation of his demobilization from the Navy. This practice of conscript soldiers/sailors modifying their uniforms to celebrate the occasion of their return to civilian life was a common one, although never officially permitted. Conscripts would spend much of their free time in their final months of service incorporating elements of officer or locally fabricated insignia into their uniforms in order to look the grandest possible and impress friends and relatives back home. Officers usually tolerated these non-regulation additions as long as they were only worn during the conscripts' trip home. In this case, since the guards ribbon was already pretty impressive, all modifications were done to the wreathed red star cockade. First, an anchor insignia off a naval shoulder guard was cut in half and glued to the back of the standard red star cockade. The outer edge of the wreath was painted white for contrast and a black and white plastic backing was cut out and attached behind it. The overall effect is somewhat crude up close, but looks quite impressive from a distance. Scarce

Navy
Admiral Parade
1970-1991

The black winter Admiral parade cap reflects traditional Soviet naval influences. This cap differs from a service version only in the additional of a parade cockade with expanded embroidery on the band. The band is black cloth covered with a black ribbon while the crown is black piped in white. The older-style cockade consists of a 3-piece metal center surrounded by wire embroidery. Gold leaves and a wire ridge near the outside edge are embroidered on the patent leather visor. Standard admiral buttons and gold cords are attached. The general-officer grade interior includes a leather sweatband and silk lining. This same cap was worn by Naval generals - those commanding Naval Infantry, coastal defense/artillery forces and so on. Available

Navy
Admiral Service
1970-1991

This style white summer Admiral service cap was manufactured from 1970 through 1991. The band is black cloth covered with a black ribbon while the white, replaceable cover is unpiped. Although the cap is dated 1973, the 2 piece senior officer's cockade surrounded by wire embroidered leaves was probably added later in the 1980's. The gold cockade indicates "line admirals" before 1975 and all admirals after that date. Gold leaves are embroidered on the visor, as is a wire ridge near the outside edge. Normal admiral buttons and gold cords are attached. Standard general-officer interior includes a leather sweatband and silk lining. As with the cap above, this same cap was worn by Naval generals as well. Available

Navy
Officer Service
1975-1991

The cap that most epitomizes the later-era Soviet naval officer. With only modest changes since WWII, it worn for both winter service and parade wear. The cap was black overall with white piping, with the band covered by a tally ribbon - but without the lettering or the "tails" of the enlisted cap. All badges and buttons are in gold - once reserved for line officers (technical and admin officers wore silver) - but standardized for all officers around 1975. The gold cords and lack of metal leaves on the visor indicates a junior officer wore this cap during this period. Earlier, only Captains First Rank and admirals wore these gold cords. The metal cockade could be either all metal or wire embroidery with a metal center and star (senior officers favored the embroidered version). Common

Navy
Officer Service
1975-1991

The white, summer version of the above cap; again worn for both service and parade wear. The cap is made of white cotton without piping and a black band. The band is mostly covered by a tally-like ribbon - but without the lettering or the "tails" of the enlisted cap. The white summer version of this cap typically had a detachable cover (for cleaning) while the black winter version had a fixed crown. All badges and buttons are in gold - once reserved for line officers (technical and admin officers wore silver) - but standardized for all officers around 1975. Again, the gold cords and lack of metal leaves on the visor indicates a junior officer of the period wore this cap. The metal cockade could be either all metal or wire embroidery with a metal center and star (senior officers favored the embroidered version). This cap (with gold cords) was also authorized for Naval warrant officer wear after 1989. Prior to that date, they wore a black chinstrap. Common

Navy
Officer Field
1975-1991

Introduced around 1975, the Soviet Navy blue tropical field cap was unique in that the visor was detachable - attached with buttons. Both enlisted and officer personnel wore the same cap, differentiated usually only by the badge. The cap is made from blue cotton with white piping. The black chinstrap should be worn regardless of rank, although on rare occasions this rule was violated by substituting gold cords. Officers wore the normal metal or embroidered naval cockade; while enlisted wore either the small star or the star & wreath combination. Available

Navy
Admiral Winter
1973-1991+

Probably the most luxurious hat worn in the Soviet military! Introduced in 1973, this hat design was unique to the Soviet Navy. The hat resembles many other winter Russian fur/wool hats, but with a visor attached. The body of the insulated hat is covered in black lambs-wool, while the visor is made of patent leather embroidered with gold bullion. The black chinstrap is also made of patent leather. An admiral's parade cockade is worn on the front flap. Although a variant of this hat exists for Captains First Rank (O-6), this particular hat is an admiral's (or naval general's) model, as evidenced by its admiral-grade buttons and cockade and its full lambs-wool top. This cap could be worn with either the winter service or parade uniform. It has remained in service with the Russian Navy with minor modifications to this day. Scarce-Rare (for a complete cap)

Navy
Captain 1st Rank Winter
1973-1991+

Also introduced in 1973, this hat was for wear only by Captains First Rank or naval colonels (O-6), this hat is a near copy of the admirals visored lambs-wool hat above. As with the admiral's hat, the body of the insulated cap is covered in black lambs-wool, while the visor and chinstrap are made of patent leather. However, the top of this hat is leather rather than lambs-wool, the visor has no embroidery, and the chinstrap buttons are normal naval anchor design, rather than admirals'. A naval senior officer's embroidered cockade is worn on the front flap. Note: admiral buttons may sometimes be found on these hats, noting an expected promotion or an admiral's personal preference for the leather-topped model. This cap could be worn with either the winter service or parade uniform. Unlike its admiral counterpart, this hat is no longer worn by the Russian Navy, having been replaced with a black wool visorless "shapka-ushanka". Available-Scarce