RichieC

If at all possible, it would be very interesting to learn from what years or eras the different types of suspensions originated from.

I believe that this is the case because he is the rank of Private. The man in your photo is a Master Sergeant .

My question is still unanswered...

I can not speak for Nack, but in my case, only the Lenin shown here is a reproduction. The remainder are authentic. I affixed them using my tastes and from my observations, as I own hundreds of period photos. I only wanted to fill holes from previous decorations (only unknown provenance "knows" what they were from) in the fabric and add some colour to these guys... I am mainly into uniform items and kit, and usually aquire orders and medals only to adorn my uniform displays. Therefore, for the price I would need to pay, for example, seven hundred fifty bucks plus (I assume that is the going rate as I am typing this) for one Lenin, I can own two of these gorgeous parade uniforms. I also have recently aquired a few other repros of higher orders and second award Red Banners that will serve the same purpose. I have not yet decided on what I will use them on as of yet... However, it would be a nice thing, really, to be a wealthy man, as I would not think twice about using authentic examples of the high end ODMs to decorate my men... Here on Earth, finding a legitimate, authentic, and original pre 1960 Soviet uniform with it's "original to the man" (unlike it's Western veteran counterpart's; and many of those I have seen are questionable to me in my opinion) decorations still affixed, is a beautiful, wonderful, and fanciful thing... I have yet to experience such a "score"... My kudos to anybody that has.

Captain First Rank of Coastal Artillery.

Do I have his ORS and Guards Badge reversed?

Air Force Private - circa 1948

Captain First Rank of Naval Aviation

Truly interesting thing Sergey! What is the thickness of the steel? It is affixed to the body with rifle slings?

PLEASE! Who here can supply me (or direct me to someone who can supply me) with one of these?

From Bulgaria:

Perhaps we can create a new thread dedicated strictly to parade tunics from all eras?

I got it from a guy in Kiev a few years ago via ebay. Its a pretty cool thing and larger than it appears in the photo. About 30 CM long not including the barrel. The friction motor still works also.

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...and it makes you appear more handsome than ever Takc, along with that cigarette that dangles from your mouth... Some toys of mine. I have a soft spot for this stuff and would post my Fisher-Price collection if it would comply with the topic at hand.

The examples of uniforms and caps posted (except for the white "naval aviation" tunic*) all appear to me to be "DoubleDecker Specials". Of course this particular seller is not alone on everybody's favourite auction site. Also, items of this type appear to have begun surfacing "second hand" at shows, on private websites, and on ebay in the same fashion that the bad Third Reich items from the 60s, 70s, and 80s appear today in 2007. I think that Daredevil has covered the majority of red flags. I will try and dig up a very old, and VERY long bit of text that appeared on ebay (as a "top 5000 review") for a few weeks, but was mysteriously pulled by the powers that be, or removed by the author soon thereafter. A lot of it is of course pure conjecture, but I have to admit, that it made me think twice. *As far as this piece is concerned, I have to agree with Takc 100% until I see a period photo of one in use.

From a vintage photo:

I have had conflicting opinions concerning these with their "church lace". Either they are a hand made thing for official use by it's maker, or a thing make for an old film. Being an antique dealer who specializes in vintage clothing, there are without a doubt, in my opinion, OLD. The stars, contrary to what the scan makes them appear be, are silvered. It also seems that no hole for a button loop was ever punched, but two small holes made by a needle exist.

..and the shoulder boards?