12-28-2007, 03:15 PM
"A picture paints 1,000 words." Looking at the boards next to the piping on the collar shows the lighter shade you are referring to Doug. Both items being of similar vintage one presumes, any fading over time would be roughly the same so point well made.
I believe I read somewhere that with the new style NKVD bottle-shaped pogoni adopted in 1943 or '44 (whenever it was) serious availability problems resulted due to their newness and relative complexity to make. Because of this, 2 things occurred:
1. General lack of availability during the late war years resulted in Air Force or even cavalry (Royal blue piping???) to be substituted with AF being most common, presumably because of availability.
2. The boards were re-shaped to the familiar 6-sided version for greater ease of production.
Again, I recall reading this somewhere, possibly even these boards, but maybe someone more knowledgeable can confirm or deny.
I believe I read somewhere that with the new style NKVD bottle-shaped pogoni adopted in 1943 or '44 (whenever it was) serious availability problems resulted due to their newness and relative complexity to make. Because of this, 2 things occurred:
1. General lack of availability during the late war years resulted in Air Force or even cavalry (Royal blue piping???) to be substituted with AF being most common, presumably because of availability.
2. The boards were re-shaped to the familiar 6-sided version for greater ease of production.
Again, I recall reading this somewhere, possibly even these boards, but maybe someone more knowledgeable can confirm or deny.
