Russian Imperial Alexander III era private’s hat of the Life-Guards Imperial Family's Own 4th Rifle Battalion

Pan-Slavic style “coachman’s” diamond-shape crown cap of black wool with wide fleece band unique to this battalion. Brass “Reservist’s” cross badge with Alexander III cipher mounted over silver-plated brass enlisted man’s cockade painted in Romanov’s colors. Lined in crème cotton with ink stamped maker’s mark of Alexander - St. Petersburg. Provenance : Important private collection in the USA The Honour Guard of the 4th Rifle Guards regiment of the Imperial Family at Tsarskoe Selo in 1910. Note: they wear the distinctive summer raspberry shirts in silk for officers and cloth for NCOs and men.