M1945 VP General Officer Visor Caps

[slava1stclass]

I've read discussion in the Uniforms, Hats, Insignia group concerning the M1955 G.O. parade visor hat being converted to represent the M1945 VP G.O. version. Beyond converting the brim, chin strap, chin strap buttons and cockade, discussion has also focused on the maker's leather shield found inside the cap as being a key indicator of a genuine M1945.

A word of clarification. As a case in point, let's take a genuine M1945 VP G.O. visor hat with the below inscription on its maker's leather shield (standard inverted tear drop pattern in light brown leather):

Ts. E. P.

KOMBINAT

YBXC MO

Mockba


At first glance, one might be inclined to immediately question the hat's authenticity given the reference to MO (Ministry of Defense). This should not be an immediate disqualifier, however, since the Soviet Ministry of Defense was officially established on 15 March 1953. The M1955 version of the G.O. parade visor hat was not authorized until 3 March 1955.

In addition, the YBXC was the predecessor administrative entitity to the YBC. When you examine any later model Soviet G.O. visor hat you'll find YBC on the maker's mark and not YBXC.

BOTTOM LINE: There were almost two full years during which M1945-pattern VP G.O. visor hats would have been produced under the auspices of the newly created Soviet Ministry of Defense.

Hope this helps to shed some more light on the subject.

Regards,

slava1stclass