Photo - The Boy in the Budenovka!

[Mr. Scratch]

I don't normally go for photographs, but when I saw this I couldn't resist. What a great outfit, especially the hat! Does anyone have an opinion as to what this photo is about? I know during WWII the Germans and their Eastern Allies kept orphaned boys around as unit mascots, providing them with tailored uniforms that matched those of the other soldiers. Is this likely the case, or is this more likely some officer's son?

[Lapa]

Mr. Scratch,

IMHO, this is a pre-WW2 studio photo.

I'd venture that it is a picture a some high ranking's son dressed up like daddy.

Marc

[Mr. Scratch]

Mr. Scratch,

IMHO, this is a pre-WW2 studio photo.

I agree, the uniform is pretty early. Civil war? 1920s?

Unfortunately someone tried to tart it up by writing what I'm told is "Leningrad 1939" (in what looks like ball point!) on the back, I guess trying to jam it into the more lucrative WWII category - though even this is pre-war for the USSR. Oh well, at least it is on the back.

[Ser-g]

I know of post war foto's like this one.
on witch boys have a boyscout uniform on ,, that had a kinda same cap.

ballpoint was invented some where in the 20's but was not widely available i guess.

[RichieC]

I know during WWII the Germans and their Eastern Allies kept orphaned boys around as unit mascots, providing them with tailored uniforms that matched those of the other soldiers.

The Soviets practiced this also - These boys were commonly known as "THE SON OF THE REGIMENT"...

[DougD]

Scratch,

Interesting photo, thanks for posting it. I think the uniform items are WWII era not RCW; the sheepskin coat, later budenovka, felt (?) boots. Most likely the 1939 date / info. is accurate.

DougD

[Mr. Scratch]

Scratch,

Interesting photo, thanks for posting it. I think the uniform items are WWII era not RCW; the sheepskin coat, later budenovka, felt (?) boots. Most likely the 1939 date / info. is accurate.

DougD

Ah! I guess I figured they were done with the sheepskin coats by the mid 30s, as most of the winter pics I've seen from that period seem to have soldiers wearing wool greatcoats. Learn something new every day! Glad to hear that maybe this pic wasn't tinkered with after all.