How to wear an over-the-shoulder belt?

[deValcourt]

I've wanted one for a long time, and now I have a belt with an over-the-shoulder strap. It looks great from the front, but I've never seen what it is supposed to look like from the back. Does it go straight down from the shoulder to the belt or back across to the hip on the opposite side mirroring the front. For actual support reasons, I think it should go straight down the back to the hip on the same side as the shoulder it passes over (i.e., right side) especially if a holster is on the belt, otherwise the holster and weapon would pull down the right side too much. I've seen it worn both ways on display dummies, but not on a human. Do any of you humans know which is the proper way? Or if a dummy wants to speak up, I'll read your opinion too.:D

Many thanks,
Phillip

[Tretov]

Help ain't far away as our friends with fancy hunting suits show off in their uniforms in the attached pic.

As you can see on the general on center-left, who is standing with his back turned to us, and combine his belt wearing manners with the man standing right in front of him, the shoulder belt goes from a point just below the ribbon bar, loops over the opposite shoulder and then on the back, it goes to a point which is rather close, not more than 20 cm, from the attachment point in the front.

An interesting detail is that some of them have the shoulder-belt going on top of the left shoulder board, some of them have it go under it. I have seen both and I have had uniforms where there was a special made "entrance and exit point" that was reinforced to accommodate this shoulder belt.

On the second pic, just for the interest, you can see that the KGB guy on the right is wearing a belt without any shoulder strap at all with his service uniform. The photo is courtesy of some of the forum members, I do not remember who.

[Ser-g]

hi tretov,

very good explanation of how the belt is supposed to go.

one thing on the second picture indeed it is an interesting one.
but it aint a KGB one ,, the people in the picture are cavalry regiment.

ser-g

[Tretov]

Originally Posted by Ser-g

one thing on the second picture indeed it is an interesting one.
but it aint a KGB one ,, the people in the picture are cavalry regiment.

ser-g

Sorry, my bad.

[deValcourt]

Thank you nonetheless (I noticed the insignia wasn't KGB too ;)). They are interesting photos. The big man on the left in the second photo seems awfully happy about something with his "cat who got the canary" grin.

If I'm looking at everything right, and wearing it correctly, the buckle is about wear my "belly button" is (I'm 6'3" and very lanky). Does this sound about right?

Phillip

[Tretov]

Originally Posted by devalcourt

Thank you nonetheless (I noticed the insignia wasn't KGB too ;)). They are interesting photos. The big man on the left in the second photo seems awfully happy about something with his "cat who got the canary" grin.

If I'm looking at everything right, and wearing it correctly, the buckle is about wear my "belly button" is (I'm 6'3" and very lanky). Does this sound about right?

Phillip

The belt buckle on both parade and service uniforms for officers shall cover the third button counted from upwards or second button counted from the bottom. On the double breasted parade uniforms for generals and naval officers, the belt shall rest upon the middle button row; and admirals shall wear the parade belt between second and third button row.

[EricFG]

Am I the olny one who likes big and bright rainbow suspenders??? ;)

[deValcourt]

You and "Mork from Ork." :laff

[centaur32]

Originally Posted by Ser-g

hi tretov,

very good explanation of how the belt is supposed to go.

one thing on the second picture indeed it is an interesting one.
but it aint a KGB one ,, the people in the picture are cavalry regiment.

ser-g

G'day Ser-g & Tretov,

You are both correct in your identification of the branch/unit of the Officers and Trooper in the second photograph, i.e., a KGB Cavalry unit. The Private's arm insignia (patch) is that of a KGB Cavalry unit, with a cornflower blue background. There were also Cavalry units and patches for the MVD (Brownish-Red), KGB Border Troops (Green), and Army (Black).

Best regards,

Jim

[deValcourt]

I've heard both explanations of the blue collar tabs and different insignia other than KGB. Both sides have convincing arguments; however, since I am not an expert on uniforms, I would like a vote on which is more likely -1.) KGB blue used for any specific branch of military / para-military divisions with appropriate insignia, or 2.) KGB blue is only for KGB officers with the star in the wreath and any other use is either incorrect or an accidental interpretation via poor photo quality or poor memory.

My problem is that Centaur32 is correct about the soldier in front having the KGB sleeve patch, but at the same time I can't keep waffling back and forth each time somebody makes an astute observation that seems to make sense. I need some evidence that shows that the standard KGB "royal blue" can have anything but the laurel and star insignia.

I will listen objectively and completely to anyone deciding to speak up on this matter and I say we go at it until we have some sort of general consensus.:thumbsup

Any takers?

Phillip