Budenovka

Budenovka
Various examples of the M1919 Budenovka
TypeHat
Place of originRSFSR
Service history
In service1919–1942 (frontline Soviet use)
Used byRSFSR
Soviet Union
WarsRussian Civil War
Ukrainian–Soviet War
Polish–Soviet War
Sino-Soviet conflict (1929)
Second World War
Production history
DesignerViktor Vasnetsov
Designed1918
Produced1918–?

A budenovka (Russian: будёновка, romanized: budyonovka, IPA: [bʊˈdʲɵnəfkə]) is a distinctive type of hat, an archetypal part of the Communist military uniforms of the Russian Civil War following the Russian Revolution (1917–1922) and later conflicts. Its official name was the "broadcloth helmet" (шлем суконный). Named after Red Army cavalry commander Semyon Budyonny, it was also known as the "frunzenka" after the Commissar Mikhail Frunze. It is a soft, woolen hat that covers the ears and neck. The cap features a peak and folded earflaps that can be buttoned under the chin. It was largely phased out of use by the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, but its distinctive shape remains iconic as a symbol of the Red Army during the interwar years.