DDR bandsmen info.

[Ian Richardson]

the reply is most appreciated Johann. It looks like they are wearing gaberdene(sp?) dark collar tunics. I also notice they don't have swallows nests on thier shoulders, was that a late addition? these pix are from the late 50s you say? thanks!

-Ian

[Gordon Craig]

Ian,

If you intend to turn these "blank" uniforms into bandsmen's uniforms it would help to know the date of manufacture of the tunics. Not that there will be a lot of difference except possibly what rank you wish to put on the tunics. That could have an impact on the type of Swallows Nests you have to buy. If we are talking about a mid 80s tunic for an enlisted man you would start by adding swallows nests to each shoulder. The Swallows Nests can be found attached by a several hook and eyes or they can be sewn in place. I don't know of any specific regulation that details how the Swallows Nests should be attached so you are free to chose your own method of attachment. For standard NVA uniforms they will be white and grey without a fringe. There has been a long standing debate, without a satisfactory conclusion, as to whether all bandmen wore a lyre on their shoulder boards or not. Some bandsmen wore a badge on their lower left sleeve and this seems to be related to a specific time frame. I would suggest that you get a picture of a bandsman that approximates the dates of your tunics and copy it. As to what type of tunic material a bandsman would wear there is probably no definitive answer. Conscripts would have worn the only uniforms they had.
All of my reference books were packed into boxes yesterday for shipment by sea to North America so I can not quote from any of my reference material.
Here are a couple of reference pictures from my files. First, a parade in Berlin. Everyone is wearing Swallows Nests with fringes. It is very rare to see this done for the entire band and one of the reason there is the on going debate about their wear. More usually, they are only worn without the fringe. You can also see the bandsman's badge on their lower sleeves. These are probably men who were part of a premamnent band rather than part of a regimental band.

[Gordon Craig]

The next picture is of shoulder baords of an NCO bands man in the Border Guard. It is just for general reference and all branches of the NVA would have worn the lyre this way for the specific period it was in wear.

Regards,

Gordon

[Garulfo]

Here are my musicians uniforms :

-1 Fähnrich :

Sorry wrong image

[Garulfo]

1

[Garulfo]

Sleeve badge :

[Garulfo]

NCO, only the shoulderboards denote a musician :

[Garulfo]

Shoulderboards :

[Garulfo]

NCO dark collar tunic (1966)

[Garulfo]

Details

[Dallasfan]

the reply is most appreciated Johann. It looks like they are wearing gaberdene(sp?) dark collar tunics. I also notice they don't have swallows nests on thier shoulders, was that a late addition? these pix are from the late 50s you say? thanks!

-Ian

Hi Ian

Here are the photos from my albums , they are from the end fiftees
One album is from the Spartakiade 1959 in Leipzig .

Regards , Johan

[Dallasfan]

[Dallasfan]

[Dallasfan]

The wedding of orchest member Manfred Jaekel









Also in the album this photo from a urkunde for the medal
'' Verdienstmedaille der Nationalen Volksarmee in bronze '' ( 20-2-1961 )
this was given to the unit in this photo album
The Standortmusikkorps Neubrandenburg

[Dallasfan]

Finaly , some photos of the Spartakiade 1959 in Leipzig







A Soviet schellenbaum