Russian Empire (<1917)

Last modified: 2002-10-05 by antonio martins
Keywords: russian empire |
Links: FOTW homepage | search | disclaimer and copyright | write us | mirrors

• Independent entities during the Revolution and WWII
• Czechoslovak Legion in Russia
• Russian Republic naval flags (1917.02-10)
• “National” flags of the Russian Empire
• Tzar’s personal flags and Personal flags of Royal Family members
• Russian Navy: historical flags and Russian Empire maritime flag chronology
• Civil flag of 1914-1917
• The black-orange-white flag (1858-1883)
• Russian historical military flags
• Russian merchant flags (<1917)
• Russian-American Company (1799-1861)
• Russian-Finnish Whaling Company (1850’ies)
• Pugac^ov rebellion flag (1773-1775)

• Russia
• Russian Coat of Arms
• Soviet Union
• Cossack flags

According to Legras’ (French Navy Flag Book, ed. 1858) [leg58], there is no “Russian Flag”, but “Imperial Flag”, double head golden eagle carrying St Vladimir red coat of arms, on a yellow rectangular field. The naval ensign and the naval jack are the same as today: ensign blue saltire on white field, jack blue on white saltire on white cross on red field.
Armand du Payrat, 20 Jan 1999

State flag of the Russian Empire (1883-1917)

In 1883 the tricolor [previously the merchant ensign] became the state flag of Russia, [along with the black - golden - white flag. Both were replaced in 1914.]
Zeljko Heimer, 03 Apr 1999, quoting from Flag-znamya korablya, Russian Navy website, consulted 07 Mar 1999

It is perhaps not very well known fact, that majority of Russian merchant navy during the 19th century was registered in the grand-duchy of Finland, owned and opereted by Finns. These ships used Russian flags, but among seafaring circles was known as Finnish rather than Russians.
Iiro Hyrsky, 29 Feb 2000