Photographs Of Recipients Of Soviet Awards/Service Personnel.

[scook17]

The lapel insignia, front.

[vikingraider1]

Well, there is no quick answer to this question but there are some guidelines that you can go by.

First picture you have, is an identity pciture which was used as part of the soldiers file and would be countersigned by the commanding officer to state that it was a good likeness of the said person.
Although this one is dated 1956 I would suggest that it is a lot older judging by the uniform which is a 1935 Gymnastoirka. Epaullettes were not worn at this time and rank was discerned by rank pips worn on the collar. Colour of backing cloth would determine branch of service and this system of colour was used to identify arm of service up until 1991.

The second image is of a colonel wearing a M1943 parade tunic. His rank is determined by the three stars worn on the newly introduced epaulettes. Also, there was a small branch of service symbol worn on the epaulette, unfortunately I cannot make it out in this image.

I would suggest buying some books on the subject of Soviet uniforms to gain a good understanding of them.

[scook17]

High mounted insignia on the collar.

[scook17]

The second image is of a colonel wearing a M1943 parade tunic. His rank is determined by the three stars worn on the newly introduced epaulettes. Also, there was a small branch of service symbol worn on the epaulette, unfortunately I cannot make it out in this image.

What's an epaulette? Is this something on the should boards?

I've noticed some of the other photos have different insignia on the collar. I've just rescanned this one, a zoomed in copy of the one on the third officer. Does this tell you anything.

I'll post a few more examples of how this changes.

Update: BTW, I just figured out this guy is a captain because he has one star!

Kind Regards,
Shane Cook.

[scook17]

The insignia on the front. Which according to what I've just read makes him a Colonel. But what about the insignia to the right of the photo? What does this mean?

[vikingraider1]

Right, the High mounted insignia on the collar uniform is a M1935 Air Force tunic and the officer looks to me like a lieutenant due to the pips on his collar.

The next picture shows a M1955 parade tunic belonging to a major of technical troops (see next paragraph for description).


A different collar insignia. Front. This uniform again is a M1955 parade tunic worn here by what looks like a Colonel or Polkovnik (three stars on the shoulder board). He belongs to Technical unit (which includes such services as chemical troops, pipe laying and construction troops or technical school troops).

Please feel free to post more up! ;)

[Taz]

Shane,
Maybe these pics can help with your Collar tab ID.

Eddie.

What's an epaulette? Is this something on the shoulder boards?
Kind Regards,
Shane Cook.

EPAULETTE

Definition: adornment consisting of an ornamental cloth pad worn on the shoulder. A shoulder ornament or badge worn by military and naval
officers, differences of rank being marked by some peculiar
form or device, as a star, eagle, etc.; a shoulder knot.

Note: In the United States service the epaulet is reserved
for full dress uniform. Its use was abolished in the
British army in 1855.

Synonyms: EPAULET


SHOULDER BOARD

Definition: epaulets/epaulettes that indicate rank

Synonyms: shoulder mark


Shane I tend to use the word epaulette when refering to Older Military Uniforms for example of the Napoleonic era.

Eddie.

[scook17]

Thanks guys, I've got a much better idea now who's who. Taz, you shoulder board and insignia posts were just what I needed to get started. I have loads of books on medals and badges, but not a single one on uniforms. Getting reference books almost always involves ordering them from the US so they take weeks to arrive, so looking it up in a book is just too slow of an option at the moment. However, I will purchase one shortly, as I'll need it by the look of things. Any suggestions?

I'm not really interested in collecting uniforms, just identifying the people in my photos.

BTW, I assume the older photos I have, eg the first one, are from the RKKA? If so, I'll need a book which covers these uniforms to. Thanks.

Kind Regards,
Shane Cook.

[vikingraider1]

There's a good one out at the moment, "Soviet Uniforms - 1917 - 1958"

[Taz]

Shane,
I'm not sure if you have seen this link in our online reference section:

http://rkka.ru/uniform/files/i_arm.htm

If not it's worth a good look round. It's in Russian but very good.

Eddie.