Two State Militia insignia for non-Christians. One from the reign...
Two State Militia insignia for non-Christians.
One from the reign of Nicholas II, in gilded brass; the other from the reign of Alexander III, in brass.
Signs of wear, restored.
H. 4.5 x W. 4.5 cm.
History
This model of headgear insignia was approved on February 18, 1878, by Tsar Alexander III and confirmed on March 4, 1895, by Nicholas II. It was intended for militiamen (ratniki) of the State Militia (Gosudarstvennoye opolchenie), who were normally required to wear a cross on the band of their cap. This insignia followed the tradition of the militia headgear insignia from 1812. For militiamen of the State Militia who professed a non-Christian religion, the cross was replaced by an insignia in the form of an octagonal plate, stamped from the same brass as the cross. The men who wore it were subject to the same General Statute of the State Military Militia as their Christian counterparts.
This insignia is also of particular interest in that its motto is not, as on the crosses, “For Faith, the Tsar, and the Fatherland,” but “For the Tsar and the Fatherland,” the word “Faith” having been omitted.
Two State Militia insignia for non-Christians.
One from the reign of Nicholas II, in gilded brass; the other from the reign of Alexander III, in brass.
Signs of wear, restored.
H. 4.5 x W. 4.5 cm.
History
This model of headgear insignia was approved on February 18, 1878, by Tsar Alexander III and confirmed on March 4, 1895, by Nicholas II. It was intended for militiamen (ratniki) of the State Militia (Gosudarstvennoye opolchenie), who were normally required to wear a cross on the band of their cap. This insignia followed the tradition of the militia headgear insignia from 1812. For militiamen of the State Militia who professed a non-Christian religion, the cross was replaced by an insignia in the form of an octagonal plate, stamped from the same brass as the cross. The men who wore it were subject to the same General Statute of the State Military Militia as their Christian counterparts.
This insignia is also of particular interest in that its motto is not, as on the crosses, “For Faith, the Tsar, and the Fatherland,” but “For the Tsar and the Fatherland,” the word “Faith” having been omitted.
