Dembel Patches

[desantnik]

Not much more to say:

[DougD]

I don't really deal in EM items, but here is one I had in awhile back; always liked it.

DougD

[pastfinder]

This is the only dembel I have of yet.

[DougD]

This one is on E...

[Commissar]

Kind of a stupid question, what is a "dembel patch?"

[Esteban_cool]

Originally Posted by Commissar

Kind of a stupid question, what is a "dembel patch?"

The term "dembel" stands for a customized uniform or uniform accesory by his/her owner. Enlisted ranks guys did it after finishing their military service. They usually enhanced their sleeve patches, but they also did it on their badges, tunic, shoulderboards and even their visor caps.

[EricFG]

Originally Posted by Commissar

Kind of a stupid question, what is a "dembel patch?"

It's something that soldiers worked on prior to the end of their enlistment. It could be patches or hats or other things. They elaborately decorated those items as a going away present. At least that's my take on it. Others more informed will no doubt elaborate.

My comment would be since those patches and hats and whatnot were the soldiers responability to maintain and they were also Soviet State property it took some stones to deface them in such a garish and noticable manner. :D

[Commissar]

Interesting, never really knew or heard of this..frankly I would prefer to keep my stuff pristine...but hey, crazy stuff happens in alabama! ... or the Soviet Union as it were...
Anywho!

[desantnik]

Originally Posted by Commissar

Kind of a stupid question, what is a "dembel patch?"

"Dembel" is short or "Demobilized soldier", i.e. one completing his enlistment. As the "dembel" wore his foppish uniform home, it was a sign of pride for having completed his enlistment and/or kept the courtesy patrols from harrassing him since he was now out of the military.

[Commissar]

Very interesting, how can you tell if a dembel is genuine and not some twisted up old mutilated piece of cloth?