Wear of Rifles branch of service insignia

[Slobo]

Was it common for NKVD frontier guards and interior troop officers of Rifle regiments to wear the crossed rifles over the target on their shoulderboards. I have seen officer boards with and without this insignia and was wondering just how common it was or what circumstances dictated its placement?

[kliment]

Originally Posted by Slobo

Was it common for NKVD frontier guards and interior troop officers of Rifle regiments to wear the crossed rifles over the target on their shoulderboards. I have seen officer boards with and without this insignia and was wondering just how common it was or what circumstances dictated its placement?

The use of crossed rifles is regulatory for interior and frontier troops. Without insignia, the same blue-piped shoulderboard is for state security.

[CtahhR]

So this would mean VV of the NKVD/MVD would wear the insignia but NKGB/MGB/KGB would not?

[Slobo]

Even NKVD Frontier troops? When did this regulation change? I've seen a number of green service officer shoulder boards purportedly of M43/WW2 vintage without arm of service badge or any evidence that one had been there. This could help date these if wear of the crossed rifles was compulsory and widely obeyed.

[kliment]

Originally Posted by CtahhR

So this would mean VV of the NKVD/MVD would wear the insignia but NKGB/MGB/KGB would not?

Yes for the '43 regulations. See here:http://rkka.ru/uniform/terms/pogony_nkvd2.htm

For nco's and ranks the numbers on the shoulderboards disappears in 1947 (see attachment). May be it's the same for the officers' arm of service badge? But I can't be affirmative.
In '52 regulations: no insignias.