Yes, I understand that the aguilette does not match the standard configuration, but....
The aguilette has been sewn under the shoulder board. When the interior of the tunic is examined beneath the shoulders, it is quite obvious that:
1. The shoulder boards were sewn at the same time by the same person; and
2. They have been on the tunic for a very long time.
So I cannot explain this untypical aguilette, but there's no way I'm going to remove it.
I don't know why it would have been used in place of the standard aguilette, but in my opinion it is original to the uniform, or at least original to the time when the parade boards were sewn onto the jacket, so I'm not going to mess with it.
Will Wrote:Interestingly, the tunic is set up for one screw-back badge on the right breast, and three screw-back badges on the left. If anyone has any thoughts on appropriate badges that you would suggest, please say so!
By the way, the cost for the uniform grouping, including shipping, was $100.
Great deal regardless of "little" atypical anomalies.:thumbsup
As for screw-post badges, you tell me what time period this is from (I'm not good with cloth) and I'm sure I can help you with what should go where. If you wouldn't mind, it would also be very helpful if you took some close-up photos of the existing holes with the edge of the lapel as a reference point. Then I can be sure what should/could go where.
I'll be checking the "History of Awards and Insignia of Russian MVD, 1802 - 2002" Mikhail Rogov tonight and also see what I have in my VV MVD box. I love any excuse to thumb through that book!;)
I've got to get mself a copy of that book. The problem is that it's like being a kid and looking through the toy section of the Sears catalog:
"Wow! I want that ! And that ! And....".
I'll take some pics of the holes and post them.
As for the date, the reverse of the tunic buttons bear the date of "!978".
I would also like to add that I really appreciate the comments and observations that have been made. I realized that the aiguillette is off-kilter in its configuration.
But my background as a collector includes a lot of years with American and German military uniforms. And I have seen countless examples of uniforms over the years that had very odd or even incorrect aspects about them. They were things such that if you saw the uniform for sale at a show you would look at it and say "They never did that!". Yet these were uniforms that I acquired directly from veterans, who actually wore the uniform (in the case of American uniforms) or who themselves brought the uniform home as a souvenir (in the case of WW II German uniforms).
Ans so, as a result of this experience, when I examine a uniform such as this MVD uniform, and it appears to be just the way that it was worn, then I am reluctant to alter the uniform in any way and I'm content to leave it in its original state.
Again, thanks to all of you for your comments and observations thus far !
Will, there are many kinds of things we can put on here that are pin-back as well and won't leave any permanent holes (e.g. I have all three classes of the MVD "wings" - including "instructor wings" - and all three classs of the numbered proficiency shield badges with the letters MVD on them). I have many different MVD academy badges and a large BB MVD pin-back badge that I posted some where here and I'm sure I can find.
The thing is, though I have lots of MVD badges, I'm not certain what VV MVD officers could be awarded with. I know they qualified for almost every award that regular military was - "Distinguished Military Service," all the way to "Combat Cooperation" (I believe). It seems unusual to have that many holes in a service uniform (one academy, one for "Guards" like Patrick suggested, one "other" on one side and then another "other" on the other side).:confused:
I'm sure the more enlightened uniform guys can help out here.
We'll get this uniform looking even snazzier in no time.:D
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
I wonder if sports badges were work on service uniforms. I'm sure an MVD member of "Dynamo" would/could have a couple of them. Back when I saw these men and women in their service uniforms (various branches) I was not nearly as interested in the things they adorned the uniforms with as I am now.
Talking MVD honour guard and uniforms, here is a uniform I picked up at a local militaria fair recently. The uniform is for an MVD major, and has the two "oddities" of a golden aiguilette and embroidered shoulderboard stars! Very interesting! Anyone seen it? I would guess this is private purchased boards or some tailor made invention. The buttons are marked 88.
The hand-sewn stars do seem unusual outside of a marshal's uniform when you know that your rank can't get any higher. I can't say that I've ever seen it before. But from what little I can see of the whole jacket, it looks very nice and is a "parade" version I assume?
devalcourt Wrote:The hand-sewn stars do seem unusual outside of a marshal's uniform when you know that your rank can't get any higher. I can't say that I've ever seen it before. But from what little I can see of the whole jacket, it looks very nice and is a "parade" version I assume?
Phillip
Yes, it is a parade uniform. Embroidered star, hand made or not, are indeed unusual on other uniforms than generals and marshals. So why this dude? It does not seem really likely that, even if he was located in a very faraway location (Dudinka? Vorkuta?) that two metal stars would not be available on hand. Still I do not think there is any funny business with those boards.
