Russian Imperial Double-Headed Eagle Cockade or Badge — 19th Century–1917 preview

Historical Context

Editorially reviewed

The imperial eagle appeared across Russian state and military material culture during the 19th and early 20th centuries. On military headgear it could form a large frontal plate; on accoutrements it could be stamped or cast into a buckle; specialist badges combined it with occupational devices. These uses ended or were replaced after the imperial regime fell in 1917.

Provenance: The principal reference is an Imperial War Museums other-ranks helmet plate in yellow metal, showing a crowned double-headed eagle holding orb and sceptre. A Sumsky Hussars busby and three Imperial Russian Army buckles provide comparisons. The buckles vary slightly by regiment, so a single reconstructed eagle must be labelled to its chosen object type.

Research status: reviewed · reviewed 23/08/2026

Sources

3 references

Imperial Russian other-ranks helmet plate
Imperial War Museums, object 30076787. (Imperial War Museums)
Supports: Documents a yellow-metal helmet plate with a crowned double-headed eagle holding orb and sceptre.
Busby, 1st Sumsky Hussars: Officer’s
Imperial War Museums, object 30090914. (Imperial War Museums)
Supports: Documents a gilt Imperial Russian double-headed eagle plate mounted on an officer’s busby.
Belt buckle, Imperial Russian Army
Imperial War Museums, object 30076785. (Imperial War Museums)
Supports: Documents three eagle-bearing Imperial Russian Army buckles and notes their slight regimental variations.

How to cite this page

Russian Imperial Double-Headed Eagle Cockade or Badge — 19th Century–1917. Sanctum Hex Vault. Reviewed 23/08/2026. https://vault.sanctumhex.com/symbols/historically-documented-military-symbols-and-insignia-rank-branch-unit-and-identification-devices-from-c-1700-1918-russian-imperial-double-headed-eagle-cockade-or-badge-19th-century-1917

https://vault.sanctumhex.com/symbols/historically-documented-military-symbols-and-insignia-rank-branch-unit-and-identification-devices-from-c-1700-1918-russian-imperial-double-headed-eagle-cockade-or-badge-19th-century-1917

State Insignia

Russian Imperial Double-Headed Eagle Cockade or Badge — 19th Century–1917

A crowned double-headed Imperial Russian eagle was fitted to military helmet plates, busbies, buckles and specialist badges before 1917.

Part ofHistorically Documented Military Symbols and Insignia (c. 1700–1918)

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