Uniform change dates between 1969 and 1991

[vikingraider1]

Are the uniform change dates between 1969 and 1991 outlined in any publication at all? I obviously know of the USSR Ministry of Defence books issued during 1974 and 1989 but is there any documentation for the exact introduction dates and order numbers for various uniform items? Any help greatly appreciated.

[otlichnik]

Vikingrader,

The dates and decree numbers are simple. Knwoing the content is not.

There is a section in the 1989 "orange book" regulations listing all the previous orders and regulations that they replace. I forget what page it is on, my copy is at home.

The problem is, that only gives the decree name, number and date. Unless you have each decree or regulation there is no way to know which change was introduced in which regulation!!!

So, unless someone gets the whole set together we are still kind of stuck.

Shawn

[vikingraider1]

Well,
I have the 1958, 1974 and 1989 books but alas my Russian is pretty terrible at the moment. I did not know they were listed in there though. That is a start and is helpful..
Thanks Shawn.

[otlichnik]

I translated the 1989 book. Some dealers sell my translation or you can get a copy from me. I would love to get copies or originals of the earlier ones.

Shawn

[k3rvmfusa]

I know of one reference that has all of changes in Soviet uniforms. It is an excellent reference, and covers the entire Soviet period through the beginning of the Russian period.

All of the major uniform changes are covered in some good detail, complete with color illustrations of uniforms and epaulets. It has some excellent charts depicting the rank insignia and color combinations for the pre-WWII collar tabs.

I can see only one area of improvement: I wish it covered some of the minor regulation changes more thoroughly. Case in point --I've been trying to pin down the different styles of epaulets -- like when did the WWII pointy end style change to the squared-off point style, and when did the the sew-on trapezoidal style come into play. Other than some fine grain details such as these, it is an excellent reference

[vikingraider1]

k3rvmfusa,

The WWII shoulder boards came into force in 1943 and were in fact never replaced with a differing kind. The "pointy" ones you refer to were for all ranks up to the rank of colonel and were 5 sided. The six sided ones were for General officers and Marshals.

The trapezoid sew on shoulderboards came into play with the M1949 air force and armoured tunics in 1949 but were issued to only these branches of arm. In 1955 all tunics had these style of shoulder boards with the introudction of the new M1955 parade uniform.

I have been trying to get hold of that book for ages but every time I try to get it the book has sold out. If you have a spare copy I would be willing to buy.

Thanks

[DougD]

" The WWII shoulder boards came into force in 1943 and were in fact never replaced with a differing kind. The "pointy" ones you refer to were for all ranks up to the rank of colonel and were 5 sided. The six sided ones were for General officers and Marshals. "

Just to clarify;Officers boards were five sided from 1943 until about 1946-1947. Then they became six sided. Generals / Marshals boards were 6 sided from the begining.

Its a good way to tell M1943 uniforms that were actually made after the war ( most for sale that are "WWII" are in fact late 1940's)

DougD

[k3rvmfusa]

Thanks for solving my conundrum regarding when the styles of epaulets were introduced.

Eastview lists this book on its website. Manion's Auctions also has one available on its current auction as well.

Thanks again for your help.

[k3rvmfusa]

Re-reading the original posting, the Voennaya Odezhda book will answer your needs. Its chapters are laid out by major uniform regulation period. Each chapter discusses new introductions in chronological order. For example, the 1969-1991 chapter lists the major 1969 change, then subsequent introductions - including insignia, badges and uniform items when they were introduced.

[vikingraider1]

I ordered one last night from Eastview, thanks for the tip