GPW NKVD Visor Hats

[Jack D. Elmquist]

Good question and really is the basis for beginning this discussion. My initial reference to Red Army Uniforms 1918-1945 by Shalito et. al. on p.8 says.
"Officiers' (NKVD) uniforms (1939-1943) ...differed from that shown before by brick red collar patches and 1935 pattern NKVD peaked cap with blue crown, brick red band and crimson piping." The comment goes on to discuss other matters, but I am left with the impression that lower ranks (perhaps lieutenant on down) had the red bands which we find so frequently as WW2 NKVD visor hats. My guess is that the brick red bands were for officers (maybe officers above lieutenant). As we know brick red was used in 1943 for all general officers and above. I know there are NKVD visor hats with a brick red band that are not general officer hats so my guess is that they are at least senior officer hats and more collectible than the NKVD hats with red bands. Just my opinion.