Marshal Of Engineers' Shoulderboards

[Will]

Any thoughts on these Marshal boards?

The uniform (jacket and straight trousers) is an original set for a non-combat General or Marshal. The ribbon set that is on the jacket is fake, as discussed elsewhere. The buttons are dated "67".

The question is whether this might have been an actual uniform for one of the six individuals who held the rank of Marshal of engineers (Thanks for that information, Marc !).

If the shoulder boards are original, then it might have been a Marshal's uniform, but we can never know for certain, since the original ribbon set is missing and a fake set was placed on the tunic (very likely to make it look more like a "Marshal" uniform rather than the General's uniform that it probably was).

Still, I would be interested for my own education in any opinions as to whether these Marshal of Engineer boards are thought to be original.

It really is a shame. If this uniform still had it's original General's shoulder boards and original ribbon set it would be truly magnificent!

[Tretov]

I do not get any immediate bad feeling about these boards. If you still have access to the set, how are the boards attached? Are they sewn through the lining, and if so, are there traces from any other attachments on the inside?

If you're not going for this set, I might be interested.

[Will]

I'll take a look this evening.
My recollection is that the boards were sewn through the lining with the typical long lengths of thread that I've normally see in uniform shoulders. There did not (to me) seem to be evidence of a lot of sewing and re-sewing of boards on the interior.

[Al-muell]

There's one more thing about the boards - under the right one there should be a gap left in sewing for the shoulder strap to go under it. Many officers didn't care, but marshal's uniform had to be made in accordance to the regulations.

[Will]

Very interesting.
I presume that by "shoulder strap" you are referring to the over-the-shoulder leather cross-strap for the leather belt?
I still need to have a look for Tretov, and I'll look for that as well.

[Al-muell]

Yes, I mean the leather shoulder strap of the officer's belt. The regulations say it was to be worn under the shoulderboard.

[Tretov]

Like this (captain uniform, but very same concept).

[Will]

Well, I examined the interior closely last night.
Unfortunately, it is obvious that there were other boards that were on the jacket before the Marshal's boards.
Of course, that might only mean that the boards were replaced upon promotion, but there is just no way to tell.
Additionally, there was no space left to slide the cross-strap under the right shoulder board.

Sadly, it seems most likely that someone took a very nice Soviet General's service uniform and, for the sake of trying to squeeze more money out of it, altered it. :angerr

[Tretov]

What a pity! With the glued ribbon bar ... this jacket is really in poor condition!
May I ask what is the sellers price for this gem?

[Will]

Well, I'm not sure that I would describe it as being in "poor condition".
It is still a beautiful uniform that, unfortunately, has been altered in a way that undoubtedly diminishes its value.
I suppose that it could be restored if someone had a nice set of the correct General's shoulder boards and, if the ribbons were removed, it would be a splendid looking uniform.
As for the price, I don't know, since I was not going to purchase it.