A cap is considered a mandatory attribute of a sailor's uniform. It seems that it cannot be any other way: a simple cap without a visor has long literally merged into a single image with a vest. But initially this headdress, although considered military, was not exclusively naval. It was worn by soldiers of troops for other purposes.
The ancestor of the peakless cap is considered to be the cap, which appeared in the Russian army in 1797. Only the name was beautiful; in fact, this headdress was a cloth cap bent in half. It was worn by foragers - soldiers who were engaged in procuring provisions and fuel. They came to the cap in the army through “trial and error”: at first they used a hat as a headdress, which was quickly abandoned due to the fact that it fell over the eyes if you had to tilt your head, and its wide brim obscured the view.
After some time, the forage hat acquired a more presentable appearance. They began to cut it out almost in the same way as caps, which were not yet known at that time.A band was invented - a ribbon to which the rest of the headdress was attached.
Officially, the peakless cap appeared in the ranks of the Russian army and navy at the beginning of the 19th century. Now it was a dark green headdress with three white ribbons. They were attached not haphazardly, but strictly following the rules: one was placed at the top, the other two along the edge of the band.
1811 is a significant year in the history of the cap. From that time on, it became the main headgear of the Russian fleet. There were some changes in the design of the cap: the bands now had images of letters and numbers (they always carried some information about the ship). Then they added edgings, and in 1872 - ribbons. Two years later, the requirements for the tapes were approved. Thus, their length and width, the size and style of the font in which the inscriptions were written were strictly determined.
By the way! Ribbons were not a whim of the military authorities of those years. There is an interesting legend that says that in ancient times, mothers and wives of fishermen embroidered beautiful headbands and gave them to their men as amulets. The ribbon was tied to the head, believing that it protected the fisherman from harm. As we know, sailors have many superstitions. That’s why this one caught on pretty quickly.
In 1921, the cap was approved as an element of equipment for junior ranks. From that time to the present day, her appearance has hardly changed. The top was white (if it's hot outside) or black (during the cold season). In 1943, the ribbons were changed: now they alternated orange and black colors. At first, the name of the warship was written on the tapes, but in 1949 this idea was abandoned, considering this information secret.
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