Wartime Generals Uniforms

[DougD]

I thought I?d do a nice informative article-post on the rarely encountered M1943 Generals Parade uniform. I will not cover naval variants in detail nor marshals variants in detail.

The M1943 shares in common the high quality gray wool material of the first true soviet generals parade uniform, the M1940. However, in almost all other respects it differs. While both share the 6 button front , as opposed to the standard 5 buttons on t he service uniform, the M1943 was the first to use features that would continue throughout the entire Soviet era. First were the bright gold generals shoulder boards ( rifles generals could have one to 4 stars while branches such as armor and signals could only go up to 3 stars) with branch piping. see below for a list of generals pipings.

The main addition to the uniform from 1940 to 1943, besides the boards, was all the intricate gold embroidery. Done win real gold wire, and by hand, the quality was far superior than anything found past 1948. The embroidery was in leaf patterns on the collar and hat band and in spool shape on the cuffs ( jr officers had 1 spool senior officers 2, and generals 3). branch piping continued to be seen around the cuffs and collar, as well as on the chest lapel. A new bright silver Tsarist looking belt ( rumor has it the first ones made were made from Tsarist stocks). This replaced the traditional leather parade belt.

Note that this engineer major general wears the medals in the new 1943 fashion, hanging from ribbons. Often the medals had not yet been replaced in 1943 with the new style variants and the older screwbacks are often seen on this type of uniform.

[DougD]

Stupid comp!

Here is the real one. The one above is:


Generals also served in the navy, but usually wore a uniform more typical of admirals. The major differences were the use of spools on the cuffs and not anchors. This example has silver, non-combat, embroidery for a General of medical services who was appointed to his rank ( narrow boards; had he earned his rank through military service he would have the wider boards) during the war.

[DougD]

This photo shows a side by side comparison of Major Generals of Engineering. On left is the M1943 parade uniform and on right is the M1945 parade uniform. Not the main changes being in the cut, going from single to double breasted, the color from gray to Tsars blue / green, and the replacing of the cuff spools with leaf embroidery. Also, the breeches are now a matching color to the rest of the uniform.Both uniforms are of outstanding quality. Note the M1943 uniform is being worn with the M1940 generals dress dagger.

[DougD]

Due to the rarity and desirability of this type of uniform, fakes have shown up. Thankfully they are of low quality. This set on right came from an ecstatic dealer in Hungary who sent it to me without first sending photos. He was not happy after it showed up and i explained it was a poor quality fake. I used a real belt for display purposes. Here it stands next to an original on left. i can?t even begin to describe where it is wrong.....

[DougD]

The peaked cap is identical to the M1940 generals parade peaked cap, save for the addition of embroidery around the cockade. This is for a rifles general.

[DougD]

And finally, just for comparisons sake, is an M1943 parade tunic for a Marshal of the USSR. Note the very heavy unique collar and cuff embroidery used for marshals of the USSR. Besides the marshals boards, that was the only difference between marshals and generals M1943 parade tunics.

Let me know if you have questions.

DD

[HuliganRS]

Thank you for sharing!

Rusty.