Napoleonic Russian Infantry - Action (40 Figures)
HaT 8351

Napoleonic Russian infantry Russian Napoleonic Uniforms with the Kiwer Shako (from 1812 onwards)

The kiwer shako (sometimes spelled kiver) was introduced into the Imperial Russian Army around 1812, replacing the earlier bicorn and older styles of shakos. It became the iconic headgear of Russian infantry during the later Napoleonic Wars, notably from the 1812 Patriotic War through to 1814. Made popular by officers first then gradually filtered down to the ranks. The kiwer was a symbol of modernization in the Russian army's appearance during the later Napoleonic period, aligning them visually more with Western European armies, while still retaining Russian identity.