Original or fake? General visor cap.

[Durandal]

Your opinions? Soviet or post-1991? General/supreme officers' field visor cap (70'-89').

My main concern is the crown shape. It seems to be of the 1989 to post-Soviet style even though it's dated "82" on the label for 1982. Though it could be a result of the cap being a custom tailored general cap.

Some close-ups of the fabric. They are very fine and smooth to the touch. Also a photo of the leather sweatband and the silk(?) ribbon. Thanks!

[Lapa]

Durandal,

Welcome to the Forum!

The cap you show is original, no question about that, and from the Soviet period. For whatever reason, this field uniform was not used very much by generals (probably more used to be in offices than in the field...), and very large numbers of these caps were left unissued at the fall of the USSR.
Yours is equiped with an officer cap badge, which is not unusual.

Marc

[Durandal]

Ah, thanks for the input. :) The main thing that was giving me doubts was the strange large crown shape which I've been warned about. It was troubling me despite everything else pointing to a genuine cap.

Also, what are the differences between the general and officer field cap badges? I was under the assumption that for field caps, they are the same. I know that outside of field caps the generals had a two-piece construction and golden oval behind the star.

[Lapa]

Same thing here, general cap badges are two-part.

Marc

[Esteban_cool]

Generals´caps were also piped with their branch of service color, while officers´ were all khaki.

[Durandal]

Yes, I also have the officer's field cap. I was asking about the badges though. Also, is there an explanation for the high crown? Is it a result of the cap being custom tailored? It seems more reminiscent of the late/post-Soviet caps though I've read that the new crown shape wasn't part of the official changes of the uniform reforms, rather something which just appeared so I thought maybe it originated as a design for custom tailored caps.

[Lapa]

Durandal,

Let's put a few myths to rest. In the Soviet Union, uniforms were made in factories following norms and regulations. Private purchase, custom tailoring were pretty much all but non-existant.

That being said, your cap corresponds exactly to all the similar models known. All have a high peak.

Marc

[Durandal]

Hmm so generals and above never had their uniforms custom tailored? Note, when I say "custom tailored" I mean made to fit each general accordingly as requested while still following uniform regulations. This I've read is something only generals and higher had.

The "43 ЦЭПК" factory label there on my general cap, I believe is the most famous (not sure, but it may have been the only one) factory which has done this and have continued doing so in the Russian Federation after the Soviet collapse.

43 ЦЭПК Website Click "About the plant".

"Since its organization to the present 43 TSEPK is now performing a high-quality custom tailoring uniforms and shoes, gold-work of any complexity, repair and manufacturing of military and Guard flags, took part in experimental work to improve uniforms, footwear, and insignia of power agencies and departments."

43 ЦЭПК on closing down

"The only enterprise of the Defense Ministry where customized parade uniforms are made for generals, admirals and officers of the Armed Forces, the so-called military atelier 43 TSEPK, may be closed soon."

Looking through their site, it seems they manufactured the uniforms from scratch rather than just offer "repairs" and alterations to them concerning fit. I've attached a couple of images of my other general visor cap's sweatband showing alteration. It carries the same 43 ЦЭПК label and is genuine.

So, maybe it was done on a limited scale but..."completely non-existent"? :confused: Of course, then again I may be wrong about this whole thing, I don't mean to be condescending. Also, I admit to my paranoia concerning the crown shape for the field cap above. Thanks!

[MadZombieLenin]

The crown size looks fine to me. Nothing out of the ordinary in a bad way. Nice cap!

Does anyone know if General's field caps came piped in anything besides Army red and Air Force Blue?

[Lapa]

Durandal,

Hmm so generals and above never had their uniforms custom tailored? Note, when I say "custom tailored" I mean made to fit each general accordingly as requested while still following uniform regulations. This I've read is something only generals and higher had...

Soviet/Russian sizing is quite effective. They have "Рост" and "Размер", which allow to offer usually 6 different sizes for every height.

...Looking through their site, it seems they manufactured the uniforms from scratch rather than just offer "repairs" and alterations to them concerning fit. I've attached a couple of images of my other general visor cap's sweatband showing alteration. It carries the same 43 ЦЭПК label and is genuine...

ЦЭПК is primarily a manufacturer. Part of their services is making repairs, but that is NOT their main activity, far from that.
You second cap is not a repair item. It sometimes happened that a piece of leather was left, but just slightly shorter than needed. In this case, they would add a small piece to make the band long as needed. I also have a couple of these.

Marc