Soviet Tank Officers' Uniforms 1935-45

[Rick Research]

First, a typical ugly "flat" form visor cap for either armor or artillery, circa 1944. Enlisted men almost never had visor caps during the war (except for special HQ guards and so on), but other ranks got cheap cotton while officers in the "classless" army had nicer wool with plush black bands. After 1941, uniforms and caps were made in the same color as other arms of service.

[Rick Research]

The M1935 Armor uniform, issued 1936 until 1941 and worn out during WW2, was-- most unfortunately for such a greasy, oily branch of service, a "Confederate" gray color.

Here are a couple of shades of officers' Pilotka overseas caps. Officers had piping (red), and a cloth backing behind the star in the color of what would have been the visor cap band (black). NCOs had piping but no cloth star backing.

[Rick Research]

Here's the inside of the (oops) FOLLOWING "deluxe" Pilotka (with buff colored inner flap facings apparently supposed to look passably like flesh tones if turned sdown to cover the ears.

Many Soviet caps are factory marked like this, from the RevTrud factory in the city of Tula:

[Rick Research]

Same cap, lighter shade, with buff inner lining on the flaps, made by the factory above--

[Rick Research]

Haven't been able to master getting full uniform pix that come out good from the digital camera, so here are details of an M1935 armor captain's everyday uniform with M1940 sleeve rank chevrons. This is the pullover Gimnastyorka smock, piped red, gilt edged line officer black pluch tabs, with matching gray red piped breeches.

The tanks are found pointing all over at the wearer's whim--often back to front as if "running away"-- apparently on a heraldic "facing out" theory. Rectangular single enamel bar = Captain on this tab, as used to 1943

[Rick Research]

From 1936-40 a different system of sleeve chevrons that duplicated the collar tab rank was worn. This pattern was introduced in 1940, and indicates Captain.

These were considered too obvious for wartime wear and were banned in late 1941. (That and the Germans' infamous "Commissar Order" ordering on the spot execution of political officers, who wore huge Soviet hammer and sickle inside stars instead of chevrons on their cuffs.)

[Rick Research]

Here is Lt V. U. Barunin in 1938 (note the early Order of the Red Star!), wearing the gray service tunic with "run away!" tank devices:

[Rick Research]

Junior Lt P. I. Ivanov in this ID photo from the 27th "Auto Tank" regiment is not wearing tank devices at all on his tabs, and has teeny ones on his overcoat tabs!

[Rick Research]

Lieutenant Colonel D. F. Kanevsky had been assigned to a Tank School staff, probably because of wounds ("severe" and "light" wound chevrons on cross strap side of his 1st type OPW), when this ID photo was taken ca 1944. Note that he is still wearing the M1935 gray top armor visor cap with a 2 piece officers' star with the new M1943 uniform

[Rick Research]

Tried this one out over in the new Panzer Forum, but failed to generate interest there. If I get hold of a digital camera this week, I'll try for some other uniforms and headgear for branch of service "theme" threads.

Meanwhile, if you got 'em, post 'em.

[Rick Research]

M1943 armor Lieutenant's boards. Closeup will be in a separate M1943 boards thread. Though devices were supposed to be silver if on gold and gold if on silver, the tanks here are actually left over gold COLLAR TAB devices, hence gold from pre-'43 stock.

[Mark S.]

If you say its a tank...its a tank....but it looks more like one of those water spout trucks at the airport fire dept.

Why didnt they use a profile of their illustrious T34 tank?

[DaveK]

Excellent post & nice photos. Those grey uniforms you have a very rare, especially in that condition and with original insignia. Relative to German and US cloth & headgear, comparable Soviet WW2 pieces in mint condition seem more scarce. On the other hand, the prices are still very reasonable. For now anyway.

One of my prize pieces is the pre/early war Soviet leather tanker's helmet. Plenty of fakes out now, so far mine is the only screaming mint & decent sized original I've seen.

Despite the heckling I got from collector buddies, I am very glad I got into WW2 Soviet stuff!

[DJT]

Very nice items Rick, thanks for posting them. I dont collect Soviet items but as a collector of other Allied items I know and appreciate how much harder these type of items are to acquire. You will see 50 nice Geman items for every one decent Allied item out there. I should try and post some photos of my British 7th Armoured uniform when I get a chance.

Regards,

Des

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Rick, I do like that steel grey gym too!

Hi Mark, I do agree the "tank" device is crap! I think it is because it intoduction predates the T-34.

Hi Dave, I would very much like to buy a "real" tankers leather or even cotton helmet and a set of black overalls. We are going to play on one of our memebers T-34's early this year.

Hi Des, please start a thread post up your 7th Armoured Div BD. I will get some pics done of a BD and trousers to a memeber of the Royal Tank regt. 79th Armoured Div. that is in my collection. These guys manned the "funnies" on D - Day and beyond. It has the original owners serial number sewn into the trousers in red cotton, but it is not researchable due to our British obsesion with security!

Cheers, Ade.