03-09-2003, 07:29 AM
I seem to recall an anecdote by, I believe, General Vionogradov, Stalin's biographer, wherin Stalin is shown several proposed uniforms for the rank of generalissimus, one with gold piping and leg stripes, and Stalin went into a frenzy, calling the proposals too ostentatious, and unbefitting of such a rank. He thereupon proposed that he wear the standard boards of a Marshal of the Soviet Union, but with a unique cut of uniform, hence the stand-and-fall collar, with the red tabs with generals's buttons, in which he was usually photographed and painted. This would seem to coincide with the proletarian philosophy of a man who usually hinted at some higher entity, as when he would refer to himself as "having been instructed" to do this or that, as if he took his orders from a committee above him.
By the way, I really don't need to point out that the first shoulder boards of MSU rank sported stars of SILVER wire, as did all rank stars of combat branches (as opposed to the technical branches, with silver boards and gold stars), until the late 1950's, when the color was changed to gold, as in the illustration from the 1988 regs which Tal posted.
By the way, I really don't need to point out that the first shoulder boards of MSU rank sported stars of SILVER wire, as did all rank stars of combat branches (as opposed to the technical branches, with silver boards and gold stars), until the late 1950's, when the color was changed to gold, as in the illustration from the 1988 regs which Tal posted.
