Belaruski

Nack that is a beautiful tunic! The 1943 Mundir is one of my favourites and an NKVD one... wow! If you don't wish to send it to Richie, I could look after it for you..

It is indeed! Pyotr Masherov was born as Pyatro Mashera in a village in Vitebsk region of Belarus and before the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War in 1941 worked as a high school physics and math teacher. Between 1942 and 1944 Masherov led an underground group of Soviet partisans in Belarus and was awarded title Hero of the Soviet Union in August of 1944. In 1965 after holding some key positions in Belarusian regions and in Minsk Pyotr Masherov became the first secretary of the Communist party in Belarus. He was de facto the president of Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic. Many had considered him the likely successor of the ageing General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Leonid Brezhnev. In 1978 Pyotr Masherov was awarded Hero of Socialist Labour title for his contributions to the development of Belarusian republic. He died in an automobile accident when his car, escorted by police, collided with a produce truck (potatoes) that had unexpectedly entered the freeway. Well done, and your turn!

Nice hats Nack! I have to be honest though, I'm not sure if the 1940 stamp is original, simply because it says 'Moscow'. Without a hint of who made it. No code number or factory name. I'm not commenting on the cap, just the stamp. Have you got Webster and Nelson's Red Army uniforms book? They have excellent photos of wartme stamps and earlier. But I love the OGPU visor!

The HSU was killed after the war. And was a hero of Socialist labour too. (and the potatoes were in a truck!). He was a very famous partisan leader.

That probably is the easier way to do it. Particularly as the date in mine has the 8 worn away to look like a 3.

ok then... Which Hero of the Soviet Union was killed by potatoes? (more clues can follow if neccesary- And it's nothing to do with vodka!)

A simple sew on star, presumably for the Albanian field cap. Made of that 'staybrite' plastic like material, and a very thin enamel.

Here's mine. Another Ikom. The screwpost is very long, and the owner had made a sort of felt 'pad' for it. I have seen this done occasionaly on early Soviet badges too.

Is it Semyon Mikhailovich Budyonny?

Here's mine. Originally I only wanted this one medal, as an example of the Albanian Partisans in my collection. But unfortunately I then read Mr. Schena's book, and now this is only the beginning...

Thankyou both! I bought these at a time when the prices were a bit more reasonable than now! I'm happy at having an original 'blue top' although it is 1948 dated. But still at least it's not another copy!

Richie do any of your hammer and plough stars have a screw back? Oh, and that railway star is beautiful!

Thankyou very much Eric! And thanks again for your Pdf book!

Good! I managed to get a 50's Kitel before the wall came down, and it had one button missing, that was harder to replace than the damn tunic..

Actually these appear 'saveable'. When people start sticking badges through the crown is when it becomes hard to put them back to normal.

The 'brooch pin is on an attached mount. Am i right in saying this is a type 2 variation 2 by Prawema?

Nice awards Doc! You must have an impressive collection! Just as a footnote, here is the modern (not very former Soviet) Belarusian Republic Order of the Mother.

A frontier troop and internal troops NKVD furazhka. Model 35. These are both original mid 40's ones. Just thought I'd share!

My WW2 helmets. The leather one is an early one (?1936). If anyone is interested I'll post detail pics. It has a small leather peak, that folds inside like a sweatband.

I wish I had the tunic this used to be attached to..

Superb Doc! Are you missing a button?

Just a thought. Most of the 'right breast' orders were specifically WW2 awards (although granted not all (Red Star!). Whereas medals and other Soviet awards where to be worn on the left. This also is a guess!

..And the back!

Here's my 2nd class Scanderbeg. (Just arrived this week!)

Another Red Cross badge from the same manufacturer, but I have to share this with someone!