RichieC

A few earlier shots:

I wish I had more images like these and the ones shown previously. It is extremely interesting and sentimental subject...

Very well put Rick... I own a few pieces myself that our Russian associates insist are pure fantasy, "novodel" (новодел), or even "FUFLO"... The truth will surface about any and all when one least expects it. Still though, give Voronov an electronic "jingle", introduce yourself, and see what he has to say. It is all interesting in any case!

No date Rick. It seems to me judging from the late type of small, spade shaped visor and the chinstrap buttons with prong attachments, that it dates from the early to mid 1950s. I think the stripe around the band is pretty neat-o... I'm not really up on Third Reich stuff, but didn't some German State Railways personnel use bright red visor caps also?

Rick, I showed your cap to Valentine Voronov, and in his opinion it is simply (in his words) "новодел". He also made the attached image up to show what he thinks is a proper representation of a furzhaka belonging to a Militia Commissioner, order/regulation "НКВД СССР № 126 от 18.02.1943". This high ranking stuff truly is not my forte, so if you wish, I can provide you with his contact information and you two can discuss it further. Also, I have had previous contact with Leonid Tokar and he has amended some of his twelve year old book errors and assumptions here: http://www.wedomstwa-uniforma.narod.ru/milizia/mil43-58.html I also have access to contact info for Tokar, so in any case, either I or Voronov can supply it to you if you wish also. These guys love to talk about this stuff! As far as the cockarde goes; Denis Rodichev, Dave Webster, and myself all feel that it designates "communications" type personnel. BTW, Webster also feels it should be this one (image three), as that particular type is what his cap adorns. I think Voronov's opinion fell into his "новодел" remark... But as you have written earlier, the case may just be indeed "the regulation type was simply not available so they made it up as they went along". Besides, who was to dictate to such a high ranking gent that he may or may not use what ever he wanted to "dress his headdress" anyway(?)! Kindly keep us informed if you have communications with these guys and what transpires.

Post 1951 Railway Commandant with the "new" blue piping:

Rick, the colour-combo seems A-OK accurate for Militia during the said time-frame. However, the cockarde seems to be "Все категории работниов Министерства связи" INW - COMMUNICATIONS or some derivation of such. And, if I recall correctly I believe that it mat be a POSTAL type. I'll double check though next time I run into one of the "Star" professors... In any case, here are two more Railway orientated caps newly aquired:

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MVD Private circa 1951-55:

Hey Doc! Good luck to you. When I was courting my (Ukrainian) wife, she bought me a few (Russian language) children's books to study; one's that are used in to help teach (relative to our kindergarten/first & second grade age) children there. They were extremely helpful to me in learning the basic alphabet and how to pronounce most of the sounds of the letters. I was reading words with and sounding them out pretty good in no time... However, translating their meaning into English and tying them together grammatically was another story. See if you can get your hands on one or two of these books...

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Trolley and armored train in Odessa:

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I am a big fan of Railroadiana, so wherever I go with a camera if a something to do with a train pops up, the shutter clicks. This is my "friend" in Sevastopol:

They are all indeed wonderful Paul... Actually, most are PCs, but a few are greeting cards with a saying inside and/or on the reverse...

Ed! :