russian belt buckles questions??

[paddywhack]

iv these two buckles and i was wondering if anyone could tell what era there from? i think the secand one may be a officers one? am i right? thanks for any help you can give me!

[paddywhack]

and the secand one! i can get pics of the back if you need em!
thanks again!

[Kozlov]

First one is a EM/NCO service dress belt buckle - worn on a brown fake or real (private purchase) leather belt.

Second one is an officers parade belt buckle. Worn on a gold belt.

For pictures go have a look at the uniform section on:

www.sovietarmy.com

He has the 1988 dress regs on there which if you don't own the book is a good reference to what goes where and when.

[Manu Dalton]

This website is a must! A big thank you for this usefull link!

[Kozlov]

BTW, in terms of era, I'd say anytime from about the mid-50's (1954?) to the end...

[paddywhack]

thanks very much everyone! oh and thanks for the link a useful site!

[bnz. 42]

First one is a EM/NCO service dress belt buckle - worn on a brown fake or real (private purchase) leather belt.

There was no such "private purchase" thing for EM/NCO in Soviet Army. Everything was issued, including real-leather belts. It was matter of luck which one you get, fake or leather.

[Kozlov]

Really? I always assumed the real leather ones were bought at a PX/NAFFI type place (I can't remember what they called theirs).

I've heard the old sweats would get hold of a leather one as it was more comfortable that the carboard ones... I guess that means beating up someone else with less time done for theirs...

[bnz. 42]

I've heard the old sweats would get hold of a leather one as it was more comfortable that the carboard ones... I guess that means beating up someone else with less time done for theirs...

That's true too

I always assumed the real leather ones were bought at a PX/NAFFI type place (I can't remember what they called theirs).

Name of the store is VoenTorg (ВоенТорг - Military Market). Military units don't have these stores; they are in cities, and I believe, for officers only.