WWII Soviet Ushanka - good?

[Mr. Scratch]

Just bought this, owner claimed it belonged to a freed US POW who was given it by the Russians to keep him warm before he was returned to the US lines. Does it look okay?

http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/...0,0,0&format=0

[Adrian Stevenson]

I think it could be OK.

Cheers, Ade.

[STEBALIN]

I don´t like the star at all, and I miss the inside markings.

[RichieC]

It seems to me the star-cockarde is 100% legitimate mid/late war lacquered-tin type.

I am unable to comment on the Ushanka itself.

[Wesley's Dad]

ushanka

Yeah... saw this one on eBay as well but passed. The star is fine, RichieC is correct about its type. The lack of interior markings is of no concern, particulaly with this style. Seller's story aside, this one is probably OK. It just has not been worn very much. If the story is true it was given to the GI as a brand new item and he wore it once or never at all. RichieC and Ade should both be familar with the interior of a wartime Ushanka that has seen a lot of use .

I passed not due to my disbelief in it's originality, but in it's general appearance was not one I cared for. That though is a personal preference of my own.

The deep bowl and "bump lumpy" fake fur are seen from time to time. When I was involved with Ostfront Militaria, we has small number of this type for a while. This type is not what I would call the archetypical example of the wartime Soviet Ushanka, but is probably period.

[Mr. Scratch]

Thanks guys. I thought it looked pretty good when I bid, but then when I thought too much about it the near-new condition, it gave me some concerns. Most of the issued war-period ushankas I've seen are pretty worn out, so setting the POW story aside, I had to wonder about the liklihood of one in this condition being genuine. I feel better now I've gotten the word from more experienced Soviet collectors.

[Mr. Scratch]

The ushanka arrived and is in very nice condition. I'm happy.

One thing amazes me about the old Russian headgear though is how small it often tends to be. This hat is literally child-sized. The only person in my home that it would fit (quite perfectly!) was 4 year-old Ryadovi Soriah. Don't let the coy expression fool you, she's quite ruthless.