Romania Romanian "RSR" Cap Badge

[Guest Rick Research]

OK, so I've said I wanted to stick with "RPR," but there this was at today's show--

pretty, cheap, and-- unknown to me.

What is it, who wore it, and when? :beer:

[Kev in Deva]

Hi Ricky,

I am sure I once had part of a Romanian Militia Mans uniform (Greatcoat and Cap)

pass through my hands I will try and locate the pictures, as I feel it had a similar Cap-badge.

From what I know grade / rank was determined by the numbers / layers

of branches under the communist cipher.

Kevin in Deva. :beer:

[Kev in Deva]

The Cap for the badge you found:

R.S.R. Period.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2009/post-950-1233514793.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2009/post-950-1233514811.jpg

Very heavy "bulls-wool" type material.

Kevin in Deva :beer:

Edited February 1, 2009 by Kev in Deva

[Kev in Deva]

Buttons are silver gilt / polished steel with R.S.R. crest,

but with the word ROMANIA on them, no maker mark to rear.

Kevin in Deva. :cheers:

[Guest Rick Research]

So what RANK was your "two rows" guy? Mine must have been junior, with only 1 row.

[Kev in Deva]

So what RANK was your "two rows" guy? Mine must have been junior, with only 1 row.

Hi Ricky,

trying to locate a rank list I had around here, but, from what I recall my wife saying about them,

yours could be for a Non-Commissioned officer, rank determined by whatever was on his shoulder boards.

The one on the cap I pictured for an officer.

Shoulder board on Great coat.

Kevin in Deva.

[Guest Rick Research]

Ah, that's a Lieutenant Colonel. So-- MIGHT be field grade had 2 rows of cabbage, while company officers only had one ring of leaves? Would they have spent State Resources on enamel for mere noncommisioned comrades?

Silver = police... not army?

[Greg Collins]

Rick,

You are thinking in the same way I thought at the beginning... trying to integrate Western Military logic into deciphering Romanian rank patterns. Doesn't work here.

Basically, three (3) rows of leaves surrounding the State seal are Generals (in this case, the rows are embroidered); two (2) rows are for Lieutenants through Colonels; one (1) row is for Sergeants and Warrant Officers; no (0) rows but with an enameled State seal on oval is for cadets; no (0) rows and with an oval with State seal impressed (no enamel) is for all ranks lower than Sergeant. Occasionally, you'll run across an enameled State seal with no oval behind it and it may still have a dark red cloth backing attached- that is for a member of the Patriotic Guard.

Gold colour is for all branches of the Armed Forces, including the Security Troops. Silver colour was reserved for the Militia (Police).

The only way to tell the actual rank of an individual was on the shoulderboards (epoleti). The cap badge and collar insignia only put you in the ballpark.

Take a look at the Romanian Cap Badges thread- I have shown examples of all except General.

Edited September 10, 2009 by Greg Collins