Policy on uniform and equipment.
The information on these pages is intended as a guide for members of the unit on obtaining the correct period uniforms and equipment.
We operate a strict policy on authenticity and appearance in the interest of historic accuracy and any deviation from the policy will not
be permitted.
Please consult the unit CO, Authenticity Officer or Quartermaster for guidance on matters of uniform, equipment and appearance.
THE BASIC RULE IS: IF THE RED ARMY DID NOT WEAR IT OR CARRY IT, THEN NEITHER DO WE!
We operate a strict policy on authenticity and appearance in the interest of historic accuracy and any deviation from the policy will not
be permitted.
Please consult the unit CO, Authenticity Officer or Quartermaster for guidance on matters of uniform, equipment and appearance.
THE BASIC RULE IS: IF THE RED ARMY DID NOT WEAR IT OR CARRY IT, THEN NEITHER DO WE!
Overview of uniforms of the period.
During the course of the 1930's and into the early war years there were a number of uniform changes which are evident and therefore
reflect in various aspects of our Red Army impression of that period. When attending public events members will receive advice as to
which period we will be portraying, ie early or late war. Generally at most events, the unit tends to portray from the early 1943 period
onwards to the end of the war.
Terminology such as Obr.1935 or 41 relates to pre and early war and Obr. 43 relates to mid to late war impressions.
(Note Obr. is an abbreviation of the Russian term Obrastsa, meaning Model ie uniform Model of 1935, 41 or 43, the year they were introduced etc.)
As we portray a Rifle (Infantry) unit in the field, the emphasis contained in this guidance is therefore aimed at the Red Army soldier and how he
or she would have appeared in the field or on the front line.
reflect in various aspects of our Red Army impression of that period. When attending public events members will receive advice as to
which period we will be portraying, ie early or late war. Generally at most events, the unit tends to portray from the early 1943 period
onwards to the end of the war.
Terminology such as Obr.1935 or 41 relates to pre and early war and Obr. 43 relates to mid to late war impressions.
(Note Obr. is an abbreviation of the Russian term Obrastsa, meaning Model ie uniform Model of 1935, 41 or 43, the year they were introduced etc.)
As we portray a Rifle (Infantry) unit in the field, the emphasis contained in this guidance is therefore aimed at the Red Army soldier and how he
or she would have appeared in the field or on the front line.
Helmets and headwear.
Kaska 1936.
Introduced in 1936 to replace the Kaska 1928 helmet, which was based on the French M1915 "Adrian" helmet.
The Kaska 36 is distinguished by its small crest on the helmet crown and flared rim over the ears.
It was replaced by the Obr 39 and 40 steel helmets, but was seen in the field until 1943.
It had a canvas type chinstrap and a cloth/canvas "sock" type liner and it was painted in a shade of olive green and often seen with a stencilled red star on the front.
Kaska 1936.
Interior of the Kaska 1936 showing detail of the "sock" type liner.
Stal'noi schlem Obr 1939 Ssh steel helmet.
Introduced to replace the Kaska 1936 helmet.
This pattern helmet was the classic Soviet helmet of the war and its basic shape continued
in use until the late 1950's early 1960's. It is distinguished by the three rivets on the upper
outer side of the helmet, which secure the liner to the shell. Early patterns had a leather
chinstrap and liner similar to the German M1935 liner. Later patterns had a cloth/canvas
"sock " type liner and canvas or web chinstrap. It was painted in a shade of olive green.
Obr 1939 Ssh.
Interior of the Obr 1939 steel helmet showing detail of the "sock" type liner.
Stal'noi schlem Obr 1940 Ssh steel helmet.
Introduced in 1940 and largely replaced the Obr 1939 helmet, due to the factories
that manufactured the Obr 39 helmets having been over run by occupying German
forces during the early part of the war.
Basically the same helmet as the Obr 39. It is distinguished by six rivets on the lower
outer side of the helmet, which secure the liner to the shell. The liner consists of
three wadding pads and a draw string. The wadding can be removed to adjust for fitting
or removed entirely so the helmet could be worn over a side cap or fur hat during winter.
It was painted in a shade of olive green.
Obr 1940 Ssh.
Interior of the Obr 1940 helmet showing detail of the "three pad" liner.
Pilotka or side cap.
Introduced in the late 1930's to replace the earlier pattern Schlem or "Budniovka" broadcloth helmet. The pilotka came in cotton weight material for summer use and wool for winter. Officers patterns were of better quality and were piped in branch of service colours. They were seen worn with enamalled red or subdued painted green cap stars as well as no cap badges in the field. It was common practice for soldiers to keep needles, thread and a spare tunic collar liner within the folds of the pilotka.
Post war pilotka's have a leatherette sweat band, which can be easily removed to make it look of a correct wartime appearance.
Pilotka cap stars.
Right: Detail of wartime pattern cap stars worn on the pilotka.
Far right: Post war white metal cap star. These are not suitable for wartime representation and must not be worn. |
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Schlem or "Broadcloth" helmet.
Introduced in the Red Army in 1919 and it's design was supposed to have been copied from the conical shape of the helmets of the Bogatyr, an ancient warrior race from early Russian history.
They also came in cotton and wool materials for the varying seasons. It had folding flaps which could be lowered over the wearers ears for rudimentary protection in poor weather conditions. A summer or temperate climate schlem was also issued. It did not have fold down ear flaps, but had a visor both at the front and back which covered the nape of the neck. It was jokingly referred to by the troops as the " hello goodbye" cap!
It was produced in varying colours during its time in use, grey and khaki, dark blue (Air Force), black (Armoured & Technical) and it had a cloth star on the front in the respective branch of service colour.
Seen worn in the field as late as 1943, thereafter occasionally seen worn by militia and military cadet schools.
Some times referred to as a" Budniovka" after Semyon Budenny, a cavaly officer crony of Stalin during the Civil War.
They also came in cotton and wool materials for the varying seasons. It had folding flaps which could be lowered over the wearers ears for rudimentary protection in poor weather conditions. A summer or temperate climate schlem was also issued. It did not have fold down ear flaps, but had a visor both at the front and back which covered the nape of the neck. It was jokingly referred to by the troops as the " hello goodbye" cap!
It was produced in varying colours during its time in use, grey and khaki, dark blue (Air Force), black (Armoured & Technical) and it had a cloth star on the front in the respective branch of service colour.
Seen worn in the field as late as 1943, thereafter occasionally seen worn by militia and military cadet schools.
Some times referred to as a" Budniovka" after Semyon Budenny, a cavaly officer crony of Stalin during the Civil War.
Furazhka or Forage cap.
Left: Field service cap. Right: Rifle unit cap.
Forage caps were issued to all ranks. During the war the forage cap was primarily issued to officers and NCO's in all branches of the Red Army.
Pre and early war caps had the piping and cap bands in branch of service colour, ie such as magenta coloured for Rifle forces, red piping and black cap band for Artillery and Armoured forces, blue for Cavalry, sky blue for Air Force etc.
The cap had a squared "duck bill" black patent visor. A field version was also issued in all khaki material with either a patent or plain khaki visor.
Pre and early war caps had the piping and cap bands in branch of service colour, ie such as magenta coloured for Rifle forces, red piping and black cap band for Artillery and Armoured forces, blue for Cavalry, sky blue for Air Force etc.
The cap had a squared "duck bill" black patent visor. A field version was also issued in all khaki material with either a patent or plain khaki visor.
Basic Uniform.
The uniforms of the period followed the same basic appearance and were modelled largely on the work clothes of the Russian peasant and incorporated traditional features.
TUNIC or GIMNASTIORKA was based on the traditional half front buttoned peasant shirt and had not altered much since the early 19th Century,
when it appeared as a work fatigue and exercise garment in the former Tsarist Army of the day.
BREECHES or SHAROVARI were again based on the loose fitting work breeches of the peasant and had not altered much in appearance.
Following the Russian Revolution in 1917 and the formation of the Red Army (Raboche Krest'yanskaya Krasnaya Armiya or RKKA) in 1918
a number of the uniform elements associated with the former army of the Tzar were abandoned by the Bolshevik regime.
In the 1920s and early 1930s the Red Army uniforms displayed little distinction, particularly in the field where it was difficult to tell who was a
commander from the enlisted man.
In 1935 a new uniform pattern was issued, Obr 1935. It had a fall collar on which the gorget patch (Pitlitsi) was worn and displayed the branch of service colours and insignia as well as the rank insignia.
In 1941 a new subdued pattern Pitlitsi was authorised for use on the Obr 1935 tunic and was in the process of being introduced when Germany
invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941. Both types of pitlitsi were seen in the field during the early years of the war.
In early 1943 the Obr 1943 pattern tunic was authorised which re introduced traditional Russian uniform elements once associated with the
pre revolutionary army of the Tzar, ie a two buttoned standing collar and the shoulder boards (Pogonii), on which the branch of service piping
and insignia as well as rank insignia was worn. This pattern was in service with the Red Army throughout the remainder of the war and into the 1960's.
Both types of tunics would be worn with white linen collar liners, which in garrison was supposed to be removed and a clean one restitched in daily.
TUNIC or GIMNASTIORKA was based on the traditional half front buttoned peasant shirt and had not altered much since the early 19th Century,
when it appeared as a work fatigue and exercise garment in the former Tsarist Army of the day.
BREECHES or SHAROVARI were again based on the loose fitting work breeches of the peasant and had not altered much in appearance.
Following the Russian Revolution in 1917 and the formation of the Red Army (Raboche Krest'yanskaya Krasnaya Armiya or RKKA) in 1918
a number of the uniform elements associated with the former army of the Tzar were abandoned by the Bolshevik regime.
In the 1920s and early 1930s the Red Army uniforms displayed little distinction, particularly in the field where it was difficult to tell who was a
commander from the enlisted man.
In 1935 a new uniform pattern was issued, Obr 1935. It had a fall collar on which the gorget patch (Pitlitsi) was worn and displayed the branch of service colours and insignia as well as the rank insignia.
In 1941 a new subdued pattern Pitlitsi was authorised for use on the Obr 1935 tunic and was in the process of being introduced when Germany
invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941. Both types of pitlitsi were seen in the field during the early years of the war.
In early 1943 the Obr 1943 pattern tunic was authorised which re introduced traditional Russian uniform elements once associated with the
pre revolutionary army of the Tzar, ie a two buttoned standing collar and the shoulder boards (Pogonii), on which the branch of service piping
and insignia as well as rank insignia was worn. This pattern was in service with the Red Army throughout the remainder of the war and into the 1960's.
Both types of tunics would be worn with white linen collar liners, which in garrison was supposed to be removed and a clean one restitched in daily.
Obr 1935 gimnastiorka.
The shirt has a fall type collar on which is worn the pitlitsi (gorget patches). The pitlitsi were in branch of service colours with a small metal branch insignia badge and where the rank insignia were also worn.
On the front were two external breast pockets. Buttons were made of brass, with the star and hammer and sickle emblem. Some patterns had a fly cover which concealed the buttons on the front of the tunic. Officers tunics were piped in branch of service colours around the collar and upper sleeve cuffs.
The appearance of the tunic was loose fitting and came in cotton for summer issue and wool for winter.
Obr 1935 collar detail.
In this image showing a Krasnoarmyeets (Red Army man,which is equivilant to the rank of Private), in Rifle branch colours, ie magenta piped in black with the Rifle insignia badge, ie brass crossed rifles over a white enamalled target motif.
Obr 1941 Subdued pattern
Following the experiences of the Red Army, particularly during the Winter War of 1939-40 with Finland, during which officers and NCOs could be easily identified in the field by the enemy, particularly by snipers, it was decided to introduce subdued collar patches for the Obr 1935 tunic. It was a plain khaki/green patch which displayed the branch of service and rank insignia.
In the field the branch insignia also appeared to have been removed. Tunic buttons were also subdued, painted either green or black. The rank insignia in this image is that of a sergeant.
Obr 1943 gimnastiorka.
In January 1943 a new tunic was authorised which re introduced traditional Russian uniform elements, which were reminisant of the former Tsarist Army.
The basic tunic was the same as the Obr 35, however a two buttoned stand up collar and shoulder boards (Pogonii) were adopted. The breast pockets were concealed, only the pocket flaps were visible. Some late war tunics also were made without breast pockets. The shoulder boards were piped in branch of service colours and displayed branch and rank insignia. The tunic sleeves had elbow reinforcing patches.
In this image the Guardsman is wearing Service or Walking out shoulder boards and campaign and good conduct medals. Medals were often seen being worn in the field on combat uniforms. On the right breast
near the Guards badge is a red wound stripe, which indicated a minor wound. A yellow stripe indicted the
wearer had suffered a serious wound.
Gimnastiorka.
The back of the Gimnastiorka showing how it was to be pleated.
Obr 1943 wool tunic.
An example of an Obr 1943 gimnstiorka made in wool material.
Wool uniforms tended to be a darker shade of khaki, whereas cotton uniforms faded with use and were lighter in colour.
Depending on where the soldier was serving would dictate when the winter clothing was issued ie, in the northern part of the Soviet Union winter could set in from late September, whereas further south it might not set until November or December. The authority to issue winter clothing was granted from mid October to mid April by the office of the relevant Military District Commander and the local Garrison Commander
would order it's issue subject to the local weather conditions. Winter clothing was usually withdrawn in May and summer cotton clothing was issued.
Items such as the greatcoat, jersey and woollen gloves were apparently maintained all year round for use as necessary on night time duties etc.
Obr 1935 gimnastiorka with concealed button fly front. It has the Obr 1941 subdued pitlitsi collar tabs.
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Obr 1943 'pocketless' gimnastiorka.
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Gimnastiorka elbows.
On some patterns of the gimnastiorka tunic there were elbow reinforcing patches added.
Detail of reinforcing.
Women in the Red Army.
During the Great Patriotic War about 900,000 women served in Red Army. As in other armies of the day women performed traditional roles in the military, such as in medicine, administrative, communications, judical and other auxiliary branches. However, women in the Red Army undertook front line combat roles in large numbers, far greater than any other army of that time.
They served as snipers, combat medics, tank and armoured vehicle crews, crew served weapons and with partisan forces. There was also three famous all women Red Army Air Force regiments who performed 30,000 combat missions during the war.
Almost 200,000 women were decorated during the war and 89 received the highest award, Hero of the Soviet Union.
Womens uniforms.
Pre and early war uniforms consisted of the standard issue gimnastiorka as worn by the men, however they were tailored and seamed to fit the female
upper body form and the front button fly was reversed to that of the mens tunics. It was worn with a dark blue coloured beret with an enamelled cap star.
A matching blue coloured side pleated skirt (Yubka) was worn, both for field and service use. In 1942 a khaki coloured beret and skirt was issued to replace the blue issue beret and skirt , which largely thereafter was worn as service dress.
In 1941 a one piece dress combining the gimnastiorka and skirt was introduced and worn by none combative personnel. High boots were worn in the field and shoes with ankle socks were often seen worn in non combative roles with the skirt/dress.
Generally during the war, particularly in the field women made do and wore and adapted the same issue uniforms as worn by the men.
upper body form and the front button fly was reversed to that of the mens tunics. It was worn with a dark blue coloured beret with an enamelled cap star.
A matching blue coloured side pleated skirt (Yubka) was worn, both for field and service use. In 1942 a khaki coloured beret and skirt was issued to replace the blue issue beret and skirt , which largely thereafter was worn as service dress.
In 1941 a one piece dress combining the gimnastiorka and skirt was introduced and worn by none combative personnel. High boots were worn in the field and shoes with ankle socks were often seen worn in non combative roles with the skirt/dress.
Generally during the war, particularly in the field women made do and wore and adapted the same issue uniforms as worn by the men.
Obr 1938 Service dress.
One of the most common roles performed by women was that of the military traffic control branch, the Rukovodstvo. Seen here wearing the Obr 1938 blue coloured skirt and beret. The Rukovodstvo ensured vehicular traffic was kept moving to the front lines. |
Obr 1941 pattern dress.
An example of the one piece Obr 1941 dress issued for use in none combative roles. It had two slanted false pockets on the breast and the skirt was side pleated. There was a large pocket on the front of the skirt with a pocket slit on each front hip. A matching cloth waist belt was permanently fitted to the dress. The 1943 pattern dress was similar, but had a two button standing collar and was worn with shoulder boards. |
 Female snipers. Note the reversed fly fronts of the female pattern gimnastiorkas to that of their male counterparts. |
 A female medic wearing the Obr 1942 pattern khaki skirt. |
Yatyelnaya ryubaka or undershirt.
Two patterns of under shirt would have been encountered during the war. Obr 1935 had a V neck line without a collar and the Obr 1943 had a short and more rounded collar line and each reflected the line of the respective gimnastiorka collar patterns. Both types had a half buttoned front with two or three button and with loose fitting cuffs without buttons.
Obr 35 undershirt.
Pogonii or shoulder boards.
Two patterns of should boards would have been evident during the war.
FIELD patterns were in khaki cloth and were piped in branch of service colours and with branch and rank insignia.
Rifle and administrative personnel did not wear branch of service insignia on their pogonii.
SERVICE or WALKING OUT boards would have been worn when not on active field duty. The boards were in branch colours and piped in secondary branch colours, ie for Rifle units the whole board was coloured magenta and the piping was in black. Unit numerals were often stencilled on the service boards.
From left. Rifle unit field-Krasnoarmyeets (Pte), Rifle unit field-Starshiy Serzhant (Senior Sgt), Rifle unit service-(Senior Sgt), Armoured unit field (Pte)
and Rifle unit field (Pte) sew on type pogonii.
See INSIGNIA Section for more information on Rank and Insignia.
Sharovari or breeches.
Based on traditional peasant work breeches, they are full fitting at the hips and tight fitting at the knees
with ankle tie tapes. Enlisted mens breeches had reinforcing patches on the knees, whereas officers breeches
had no knee patches.
War time pattern breeches had a broader waist band with double belt loops at the front and hips and a vent and half belt and adjuster buckle at the back and tended to be more baggier that post war breeches.
Sharovari.
Knee patch detail of war time pattern breeches.
Note: On post war example breeches the knee patch was finished square at the top as opposed to pointed on war time war issue breeches.
Botinki c obmotki or ankle boots with puttees.
Ankle boots were supposedly issued for summer wear and sapogi high boots for winter.
In reality both types of boots were seen in the field, regardless of the season.
Boots came in black and dark brown leather and without an external toe cap.
Later in the war, Lend Lease boots from Britain, Canada and the USA were evident.
Puttees were made from both wool and canvas and came in various colours, including
khaki, black and dark blue and were often fabricated in the field using old blanket material.
Ankle boots with wartime pattern pupyrchatoy sole.
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Sapogi or high boots.
Pre war enlisted mens high boots were made all in leather and were know as 'yuftsi sapogi'. During the Winter War with Finland 1939-40, synthetic materials were introduced into boot manufacturing. The synthetic boots were known as 'kirozoviy sapogi' or taupaulin boots and were not particularly popular with the troops. By 1941 the yuftsi sapogi were a sought after and prized possession by enlisted personnel.
Enlisted mens boots had a moulded rubberised sole, with a leather lower foot and
the uppers were made from a canvas synthetic material with the appearance of leather.
The sole on war time pattern, known as pupyrchatoy, had 26 moulded stud like protusions on them. Late post war boots have a"zig zag" pattern on the soles.
They were generally loose fitting and worn with foot wraps (Portyanki), as socks were
not issued to enlisted men. During cold weather additional foot wraps could be worn
to better insulate the wearers feet.
Officers field boots were made in leather and were of a better quality. The leather was very supple which gave the boots the appearance of many folds and were not as high as the EM's boots, finishing about mid calf. The boots had smooth leather soles.
Enlisted mens boots had a moulded rubberised sole, with a leather lower foot and
the uppers were made from a canvas synthetic material with the appearance of leather.
The sole on war time pattern, known as pupyrchatoy, had 26 moulded stud like protusions on them. Late post war boots have a"zig zag" pattern on the soles.
They were generally loose fitting and worn with foot wraps (Portyanki), as socks were
not issued to enlisted men. During cold weather additional foot wraps could be worn
to better insulate the wearers feet.
Officers field boots were made in leather and were of a better quality. The leather was very supple which gave the boots the appearance of many folds and were not as high as the EM's boots, finishing about mid calf. The boots had smooth leather soles.
Wartime pattern pupyrchatoy replacement sole for the sapogi boot.
Ryemyen poyasnoi or waist belt.
Enlisted men wore a plain belt approx 3.5 cm wide, in mid to dark brown coloured leather, with an open buckle, roller and single tine.
Obr 1935 officers belts were slightly wider and had an open brass buckle with a star and hammer and sickle embossed on it. It was seen worn with a shoulder strap, worn " Sam Browne" style.
Later in the war officers belts had a plain open buckle with two fastening tines. By the mid war period an economy belt appeared, which was similar to the earlier EM belt, but was made from webbing material with a synthetic reinforcing.
The soldier would mark his service number on the inside. Belts were issued extra long, so that in winter time it could be worn with the padded jacket and greatcoat. Occasionally encountered in the field was the Obr 1936 belt, which was issued to military schools and cadets and therefore do not permit its use in our impressions.
From top: Obr 32/43 officers, enlisted mans, economy and Obr 36 belts.
The trouser belt, ryemyen bryiochniy was a narrow web belt with an open untined buckle with either a metal or leather reinforcing on the end.
Trouser belt with metal reinforcing
Ryemyen Komandiya or Officers belt.
Officers Obr 1935 belt with shoulder strap.
The shoulder strap offered support when a pistol, map
case or officers valisse case was worn on the belt.
The Guards badge.
Units who were awarded Guards honourific status were permitted to wear the Guards badge.
The titles were first introduced on 18th September 1941, by order of the Supreme Command
and Prikaz 308 of the People's Commissar of Defence for distinguished service during the Yelnya
Offensive. Units nominated also received special Guards Banners accordingly.
On 21st May 1942 Guards rank titles were introduced and the Guards badge was authorised to
be worn on the right breast of the gimnastiorka. Guards units were generally better manned, equipped,
fed and paid than regular Rifle units for most of the war.
War time badges were made of brass and enamelling, the wreath and detailing appeared to be of a heavier finish. Early post
war examples could be distinguished by the differnt pattern in the swirling on the red enamelling, the deeper furl and fringe
on the bottom of the banner.
Badges that appear similar and made from white metal are from the 1970's period onwards and are not suitable for a war time
impression.
Tip: A small leather patch worn on the inside of the tunic and between the screw back will protect the tunic material from wear
and reduce the length of the pin and prevent it protruding into your chest!
The titles were first introduced on 18th September 1941, by order of the Supreme Command
and Prikaz 308 of the People's Commissar of Defence for distinguished service during the Yelnya
Offensive. Units nominated also received special Guards Banners accordingly.
On 21st May 1942 Guards rank titles were introduced and the Guards badge was authorised to
be worn on the right breast of the gimnastiorka. Guards units were generally better manned, equipped,
fed and paid than regular Rifle units for most of the war.
War time badges were made of brass and enamelling, the wreath and detailing appeared to be of a heavier finish. Early post
war examples could be distinguished by the differnt pattern in the swirling on the red enamelling, the deeper furl and fringe
on the bottom of the banner.
Badges that appear similar and made from white metal are from the 1970's period onwards and are not suitable for a war time
impression.
Tip: A small leather patch worn on the inside of the tunic and between the screw back will protect the tunic material from wear
and reduce the length of the pin and prevent it protruding into your chest!
 Guards Red Banner. |
 A newly formed Guards unit receives it's Red Banner. |
Guards badge.
This image shows the correct position to wear the Guards badge.
The badge was worn over the right breast pocket flap and in line
with its upper left edge. However, from archive photographes of
the period, the badge was seen worn almost anywhere on the right
breast above and below the pocket flap.
Soldiers in Guards units were referred to as Gvardeytsy (Guardsmen)
and singularly as Gvardeyeets (Guardsman).
