Regimental flags of the Imperial Russian Army (ca. 1803)

Last modified: 2005-05-07 by antónio martins
Keywords: regiment | crown (golden) | a i | eagle: double-headed (black) | aleksandr 1 (russia) | za vza^ti.e u francuzovw |
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About these flags

The monogram in the corners reads "AI", it refers to Aleksandr I, the contemporary tzar.
António Martins, 21 Nov 2000

V. A. Durovʼs Russian and Soviet Military Awards [dur], on pages 8-9 of the Russian text and 14-15 of the English, discuss collective military awards. Following is the vex-relevant material, which is fairly interesting for those interested in military colors:

Special honorary banners with inscriptions describing the exploits for which they were given wree instituted by Paul I, who conferred them upon the Taurida, Moscow, Arkhangelsk and Smolensk regiments in 1800.

In the reign of Alexander I, further distinctions were introduced in the design of honorary regimental colors: a representation of the cross of the Order of St George was now fixed to the spearhead of the flagstaff and the tassels were hung on St George's ribbons [note: orange with three wide black stripes] and not on silver braids. The first St George's banners of this type, bearing the inscription "For the feats of arms performed at Schoengraben on November 4, 1805, in a battle fought by a 5,000-strong unit with a 30,000-strong enemy force," were awarded to several regiments that distinguished themselves during the 1805 campaign against the French army.

Infantry units were given honorary banners and cavalry units were presented with honorary standards — the cavalry variety of regimental colours.

When a unit which had already been awarded St Georgeʼs banner performed a fresh feat of arms, an additional inscription with a brief account of the exploit was made on the banner.

Honorary colours were also awarded to warships.

All these flags look very German to me. Any specific connection to the Iron Cross?
Ole Andersen, 29 Aug 1999

White Standard

Imperial Russia - 1803 Model White Standard - Lithuania Inspection.
Arvo Vercamer, 02 Feb 1999

Colored Standard