Exp. / Prototype Parade Epauletts

[DougD]

I tend to like these experimental boards, designs...a lot of this is guesswork!

In 1943-1945 when the design process for shoulder boards for the rank ‘Marshal of the USSR’ and ‘Generalissimo of the USSR’ was in full swing, there was a plan to develop a a long dress coat for the top commanders of the Red Army. This coat was to have parade dress epaulettes with long braids, and a wider rounded far end.

The design was to apply to branch marshals, such as Marshals of Aviation and Armour, as well as Marshal of the USSR and Generalissimo of the USSR. While the design of branch marshals parade epaulettes was very similar to the standard shoulder boards, the designs for Marshal of the USSR and Generalissimo of the USSR varied. The common element seems to be that the designs for Marshal of the USSR used the standard state seal (gerb) and large star, while Generalissimo of the USSR added an extra wreath on either the seal or the star. This was to mimic the design differences between regular branch marshals and chief marshals.

The first photo shows an illustration from the design process for a parade epaulette of Marshal of the USSR.(Zueghaus Magazine)

[DougD]

This example, from the Museum of Military Uniforms, shows an oddly shaped prototype Generalissimo of the USSR epaulette on the parade dress coat prototype. The squared end with no hole for the tunic button is very uncommon.

[DougD]

Another photo from the museum shows a prototype Marshal of the USSR parade epaulette on the dress coat. Note the extra support!

[DougD]

This example from the design process shows a Generalissimo of the USSR design. Also is a close up of the wreath and state seal. This design is a ‘reverse’, with the star closer to the collar and the state seal closer to the end of the shoulder.

[DougD]

Another example showing the more traditional star and state seal set up, and with the Generalissimo wreath around the star.

[DougD]

This Air Marshal experimental epaulette, on the long dress coat, seems to have had some moth damage to the piping. I have not seen other branch marshals experimental epaulettes. (Russian Air Force Uniforms V2)

[sovvisor]

This is soo cool. I would like to have them all. The generalissimus boards have I seen examples of before but the air marshal is a new one. It is only to regret that the russian never issued those long coats. Would have been great in my collection. Nice ones Doug!

[DougD]

sovvisor, glad you like them, they are a unique little area of study / collecting (as you know). DougD

[Jeffrey Meffert]

And they can all fit in one box!
(Unlike my 4 torsos, 1 manikin, 2 closets, 8 shelves, & 10 boxes that my cloth, helmets, & gasmasks take up)
Thanks for showing those...cool stuff that never quite was.

[DougD]

Not all the Prototype Generalissimo tunics stayed out of private hands : )

This is a photo that is at least 10 years old, so don't ask me where it is now!

DougD