Rare parade shako (kiver) of a cadet from an infantry school, Russian Empire, early 20th century.

Rare parade shako (kiver) of a cadet from an infantry school, Russian Empire, early 20th century. The shako is crafted in the traditional Russian style of military parade headgear, taking the form of a truncated felt cone that widens towards the top. Its exterior is entirely covered in black soldier’s cloth, while the top is made of black lacquered leather, bordered by a narrow red piping and a wide yellow metallic braid — the official color of the Junker (cadet) schools. At the front, a visor made of thick leather is sewn on at a downward angle, its edge reinforced with a brass protective trim. A chinstrap is attached to both sides of the shako, composed of a series of shaped copper scales. Prominently displayed on the front is a large cockade — a semicircular metal plate representing a radiant burst, at the center of which is a raised, separately attached Imperial Russian coat of arms. Inside there is a lining of red fabric with the written number No. 1340 and a label with the inscription "Collection of O.V. Kharitonov." At the very top of the shako is a cockade. This item is from the collection of O. V. Kharitonov, the author of the famous illustrated album "Uniforms and insignia of the Soviet Army. 1918-1958", published by the Artillery Museum in 1960. A magnificent, extremely rare example of the uniform headdress of the Russian Empire. Excellent condition. Top size cm 27x23 cm.