Caps of the Soviet Merchant Marine and Riverine Fleets

Shown here are caps worn by sailors and officers of the civilian Soviet marine services. This includes the Riverine Fleet, responsible for marine traffic within and contiguous to the USSR, and the Merchant Marine (MORFLOT), responsible for all international shipping and fishing operations. As with the other non-military ministries, uniforms of these personnel are rather poorly described, although a 1999 Russian-language book called "Morskoi Costume" has done a fair job in explaining MORFLOT uniforms. In my Riverine Fleet uniform descriptions, I assume they followed the lead of MORFLOT, but I cannot confirm it. This lack of information and their similarity to Soviet Navy uniforms can cause a great deal of confusion for those new to these caps.

To make matters a little worse for the uniform collector, as with civilian naval personnel everywhere, a great deal of latitude was apparently granted Soviet Merchant Marine personnel in their uniform wear. As a result - my descriptions of Merchant Marine caps is intended to describe what was "authorized" according to rank and position within this service. But the viewer needs to be aware that various ships' captains (and to a lesser extent, his subordinates) wore a wide variety of unauthorized accoutrements to their basic MORFLOT cap to suit their own tastes and style. These variants included a wide variety of chinstraps and cords - I have seen pictures of captains wearing everything from the authorized gold military-style cords, to Western Navy-style gold straps, black leather and plastic straps, and black woven cords. Buttons used to hold these cords/straps in place include the authorized Navy anchor buttons, Western Navy buttons, Generals' buttons (with the great seal of the Soviet Union) and Soviet Admiral buttons. The last cap element where variance from regulations sometimes occurred was in the cap band ribbon. Although not common, it did exist. The authorized version is identical to that worn by the Soviet Navy - made of black ribbed silk or imitation silk. However, versions existed with embossed designs on that silk ribbon - such as oak leaves.

A thumbnail image accompanies each cap description. Clicking on that thumbnail will bring up a larger, higher resolution image.

Only the emblem distinguishes this cap from the other all-black Riverine and Merchant Marine caps shown on this page. The gilt anchor/wheel/star emblem encircled by a rope identifies it as belonging to a junior commander (petty officer-equivalent) of the Riverine Fleet. A silver colored version of this cockade also existed - for junior technical personnel. The plastic visor and chinstrap are normal for this period, although the wool crown is not standard for a junior officer, who normally made due with a cheaper cotton blend top. Available

Riverine Fleet
Ship Captain
1977-1991

Like the Navy, Riverine (and its cousin, the Merchant Marine) caps changed little over the years, with the exception of emblems. This cap is made of black fabric and although nominally a winter version, was worn year round by many officers. Neither the crown nor the band are piped (differentiating Riverine and Merchant Marine caps from white-piped Soviet Navy caps). The visor differs from most Soviet Navy ones in that it has reinforcement sewn around the outer edge. This appears to be a common feature of civilian marine caps up to the present day, although the Soviet Navy dropped this style apparently by the 1960's. The hat emblem is unique to the Riverine Fleet - identifying the senior command category. Both metal and embroidered versions of this emblem were used. The addition and combination of both regulation gold cords and metal leaves pinned through the visor - mark this cap as belonging to a ship's captain since at least 1977. Scarce

Riverine Fleet
Ship Captain
1977-1991

A summer or tropical version of a Riverine Captain's cap. Superior construction and upgraded decorations indicate its wear by a senior category ship's captain. The cap is light tan rather than white (white was traditionally worn by those serving in the Black, Azov and Caspian Sea areas; light tan/beige was worn elsewhere) and has an unusual square-shaped leather visor lined on its underside with black cloth. Again, the cap is not piped in a contrasting color. The Riverine Fleet emblem is entirely embroidered while the officer's cords are attached with gold buttons embossed with the Great Seal of the USSR (rather than the Naval Admiral's emblem!). Gold leaves pinned through the visor round out the decorations and mark it as a captain's cap. Non-captain senior category officers would wear the same cockade (and the cords after 1980), but without the metal visor leaves. Scarce-Rare

Riverine Fleet
Senior Command Staff
1980-1991

This cap would have been worn a part of a summer uniform by a senior category Riverine officer (Captain 3rd-1st rank equiv.) Assuming Riverine Fleet personnel followed MORFLOT regulations, the combination of the embroidered emblem, gold cords and lack of metal leaves on the visor indicate this cap could have been worn by a senior commander between 1980-1991 but not by a ship's Captain. Besides the ornaments mentioned, this cap has a synthetic leather visor with reinforced edging, an older, finer made set of real brass buttons, the normal black ribbon band, and a dark tan crown. In contrast to the white covers on other summer caps, this cover is not removable. This tan cover was traditionally worn by MORFLOT and Riverine personnel on all water bodies other than the Black, Azov and Caspian seas. As is standard for these civilian marine caps, it has no piping. Available-Scarce

Merchant Marine (MORFLOT)
Ship Captain
1977-1991

At a distance, this 1980-dated cap typifies all the standard elements of a ship's captain within the Merchant Marine (MORFLOT) - or the Riverine Fleet. This is the winter varient with a black napped wool crown without piping, a silk ribbon band, and gold cords held with brass buttons. The reinforced plastic visor is pinned with Captains' metal leaves (other Senior Officers who were not ships' Captains were not authorized to wear these leaves during this period). The emblem is the standard gold-wire embroidery on a wool backing worn by MORFLOT senior command staff during this period. Past these basic elements, however, lay a couple unusual "upgrades". Most strikingly, the silk ribbon - rather than being the plain ribbed design ususally seen, is emboidered with black silk laurel sprays. I have never seen such an ornate band on a Soviet cap - and it may reflect material picked up by the Captain on one of his overseas cruises. Likewise, the cord buttons are very ornate - similar in overall design to the standard "anchor" buttons, but of much higher quality; embossed with fouled anchors and detailed edging. The combined effect of these enhancements stands out in comparison to most rather austere MORFLOT caps. Of note: this cap is marked as made in a MORFLOT clothing factory in Odessa. Scarce

Merchant Marine (MORFLOT)
Medium Command Staff
1980-1991

A typical summer white cap worn by medium command personnel (company - or lieutenant grade) of MORFLOT, dated 1988. The white crown indicates service on the Black, Azov or Caspian Seas - tan was worn elsewhere. The unique gold embroidered wreathed anchor emblem indicated the "medium" rank category. Gold cords were introduced for these officers in 1980 - prior to which they wore black chinstraps. As is normal for most summer caps, the white cover is removable for cleaning. Standard gold navy buttons hold the cords in place and a black ribbon encircles the black band. The plastic visor is unusually small for this later period. Available

Merchant Marine (MORFLOT)
Medium Command Staff
1980-1991

The winter version of the above cap - worn by medium command personnel (lieutenant grade) of MORFLOT. Like the other, this one too is dated 1988. Unlike the white/tan distinction of summer caps worn by different MORFLOT regions, all MORFLOT personnel wore the all-black cap shown here for winter duty. Notice again the unique embroidered "wreathed anchor" designating the rank of the wearer. Gold cords were authorized for this rank after 1980. As is fairly common in MORFLOT middle and senior commanders - the band ribbon is an upgraded embroidered version - in this case in wool with a "pebbled" pattern. Buttons are standard navy and the visor is made from thick vinyl material commonly found within the Merchant Marine (probably since they are much more rugged than the standard fiberboard or plastic visors and stand up well to long ocean voyages). Available

Merchant Marine (Pilot)
Medium Command Staff
1964-19??

This cap belonged to a Merchant Marine "pilot" - responsible for guiding ships into and out of harbors and ports primarily as Tugboat commanders. The special insignia identifying these skilled personnel consisted of an enameled banner of the USSR surrounded by a white border superimposed over the emblem of a middle range commander. This insignia was authorized in regulations published in 1964. The cap itself is standard Merchant Marine winter style - overall black without colored piping, heavy plastic visor, gold anchor buttons and black ribbon band cover. Mid-level officer status is indicated by the gold cap cords and the embroidered anchor emblem on the band. Unfortunately, I do not know how long this cap remained in use. Scarce

Merchant Marine Fisheries
Junior Command Staff
1965-1991

Another civilian marine cap that closely resembles its counterparts in the Navy. It is a summer version, consisting in this case of a white cover worn over the black winter cap. The emblem is unique to Merchant Marine Ministry of Fisheries junior commanders (petty officer equivalent) and cadets (other MORFLOT groups wore different emblems). The band is black and the cap has no piping. As prescribed by MORFLOT regulations, it has a black chinstrap (for junior commanders) attached by gold colored naval buttons. Available