RichieC

Kindly pardon me for the mess, but I am fresh out of gem jar mounts...

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There are so many different variations, so one may go about collecting forever, AND, they are "space-savers"... I simply adore them...

Belaruski, what is the exact colour of the piping on the collar and sleeve cuffs? It looks red in your image, but as you wrote the lighting appears to be a bit bright. For comparison, here is an image from the collection of a Russian associate of mine. Unlike yours, the collar tabs are not edged in gold as the Gymnastiorka once belonged to a Political Commissar.

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This star is the model of 1922. It was used along with a few other types of star cockardes on the winter cap and also on visor caps in the 20s up until the mid-30s when the well made two-piece construction model 1935s (there were two sizes) appeared. It is not exceptionally rare, but it is a difficult one to find. Even with the missing prong it still is a very nice example.

... that the mold and mildew in my wet basement finds it's way up through the floor, into my playroom, and begins to animate the uniforms contained therein mounted on lifeless Styrofoam display fixtures ? Perhaps we could teach them to speak? sigh...

Great work Rick... The photos included. Your attention to detail is greatly admired. The ones that you mentioned came from an old pre-internet catalogue could have been worse; They could be scans of old Xerox'd pages from the pre-color copier days. I wish I had additional examples of NKVD/KGB cloth to show... Perhaps someday after Dave Webster wills his entire collection all to me... Anyway, I can post examples of different models of visor caps if any of the fellows are interested in seeing the differences that seperate them.

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I acquired this blindly of few years ago in a lot... It was not interesting for me at the time. However, as a matter of fact, I thought it was another of those fantasy pieces that were coming out of the Moscow and St Petersburg fake factories at the time. As the months have progressed, it has grown on me... I have figured out, with minimal Russian help, what branch it hails from. However, I lack any type of published reference or period photos. I would like to know, and I ask for your assistance Rick Research; What type of headgear would this man have worn, and what type of belt? I see by default that he was a Tech, but what could have been his job? The construction of gallows, torture rooms? Perhaps a plumber, builder, equipment operator, or electrician? Thanks in advance... Richie C Images to follow.

This area of the Militaria collecting hobby sure is a challenge... However, it is always exhilarating to discuss, gather opinions, and if need be, debate... There exists not any 100% accurate reference material available, so let us just have fun comparing notes... There are a lot of well thought out and created farces out there though... IMO, date stamps are the premiere tool of the creators and purveyors of the "disclaimer injected described" numbers of fakes coming out of Eastern Europe over the course of the past few years. I still think that your cap is a M27 that has a M35 replacement visor and a postwar chinstrap... I am not knocking it in any way, because they really did those types of mods back then... Give me time and I will post period photos of guys wearing combinations of uniforms that many of the "professors" will say: "They never did that Richie. I care not what you say. Its' a fantasy piece." In any case, back to our recreation; Model 1943 NKVD tunic with boards that were designed and used strictly by NKVD troops until 1947... Richie C

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I also believe that (genuine) examples of these are a tough find. The "egg" sleeve insignia is highly faked, along with the ever popular Political Commissar sleeve stars and Air Force Officer's sleeve wings. In any case, here is my example. It is unmarked, undated, and is constructed of rough wool gaberdine. The Lieutenant's rank pips are of the high quality screwback type. The faded Model 1935 cap is also undated, and has the mid/late war type of star cockarde.

Max is one of my all time favorites... I would rather have used a shot of him from NEEDFUL THINGS for my avatar, but I could not score a decent still from that movie off of the net... Rex Harrison would make an even better one I think... His is another image that is difficult to find, especially his Captain Gregg character in The Ghost And Mrs. Muir... All the ones I have came across have been either too small in size or have had shadows in the background... Richie C

Glad to hear that all is A-OK and original...