Commissar of the Red Army Lev Mekhlis

DougD · 01-20-2007, 11:34 AM

This is the overcoat of Lev Mekhlis, head of the Commissars of the Red Army. Note the unique insignia he used from 1937 (M1935) through 1942. He has Army General First rank insignia, but with black collar piping and gold commissar stars without sleeve rank insignia. He was the only one with this rank; really nasty guy.

Its difficult for overcoats to impress me, but this one is terrific.

DougD

Jeffrey Meffert · 01-20-2007, 05:04 PM

Nice piece. I wonder if the senior comissars felt left behind in 1940 when their comrades traded diamonds for stars or if it gave them a sense that they were the last true revolutionaries.

Synthesis · 01-21-2007, 02:11 AM

The coat tabs are pretty unmistakable--makes it look particularly old. I'm surprised its in such nice condition though.

DougD · 01-21-2007, 11:29 AM

Actually it is not a suprise that it's in such good shape; a guy like this would not have been in real combat, but just sitting around yelling at real officers. However, there is one diamond on the right collar tab that has been damaged.

The quality of the coat is very high; the lining is silk, and there is a heavy silk lining for the pockets.

I have only been able to find a pic of him in his M1945 tunic (when he was a Colonel-General). He had been demoted after failing to hold the Crimea, but then sort of worked his way back up.

DougD

Nack · 01-22-2007, 10:30 AM

Pretty slick coat. :thumbsup

Esteban_cool · 01-22-2007, 01:34 PM

Nice coat! the condition is astonishing... Looks brand new

Synthesis · 01-26-2007, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougD

Actually it is not a suprise that it's in such good shape; a guy like this would not have been in real combat, but just sitting around yelling at real officers. However, there is one diamond on the right collar tab that has been damaged.

Well, yeah....but several decades is still a long time...that coat was taken care of.

DougD · 01-26-2007, 07:32 AM

True, it was. There are 3 general sources of this kind of item; museums, family, and theatre/film studio stock. Museums tended to keep things in very good shape, though they are notorious for splitting up items that should be together and mis-matching other items. Families run the gamut; from horrible treatment to near museum quality treatment. Theatre/film studios tend to be the worst, with many items (though not always) suffering from neglect and poor storage. DD

01-20-2007, 05:04 PM	#2
Jeffrey Meffert Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas, USA Age: 67 Posts: 640	Well, I like overcoats fine Nice piece. I wonder if the senior comissars felt left behind in 1940 when their comrades traded diamonds for stars or if it gave them a sense that they were the last true revolutionaries.

01-21-2007, 11:29 AM	#4
DougD Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: NJ Age: 50 Posts: 2,060	coat Actually it is not a suprise that it's in such good shape; a guy like this would not have been in real combat, but just sitting around yelling at real officers. However, there is one diamond on the right collar tab that has been damaged. The quality of the coat is very high; the lining is silk, and there is a heavy silk lining for the pockets. I have only been able to find a pic of him in his M1945 tunic (when he was a Colonel-General). He had been demoted after failing to hold the Crimea, but then sort of worked his way back up. DougD

01-22-2007, 01:34 PM	#6
Esteban_cool Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Santiago, Chile Age: 36 Posts: 1,103	Nice coat! the condition is astonishing... Looks brand new __________________ There's nothing in the streets Looks any different to me And the slogans are replaced, by-the-bye And the parting on the left Are now parting on the right And the beards have all grown longer overnight The Who, Won't get fooled again

01-26-2007, 07:32 AM	#8
DougD Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: NJ Age: 50 Posts: 2,060	coat True, it was. There are 3 general sources of this kind of item; museums, family, and theatre/film studio stock. Museums tended to keep things in very good shape, though they are notorious for splitting up items that should be together and mis-matching other items. Families run the gamut; from horrible treatment to near museum quality treatment. Theatre/film studios tend to be the worst, with many items (though not always) suffering from neglect and poor storage. DD

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01-21-2007, 02:11 AM	#3
Synthesis Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Age: 37 Posts: 63	The coat tabs are pretty unmistakable--makes it look particularly old. I'm surprised its in such nice condition though.

01-22-2007, 10:30 AM	#5
Nack Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: The Buckeye State Age: 46 Posts: 513	Pretty slick coat. :thumbsup

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