Shoulder straps of the Russian army. Shoulder straps of the Russian army and navy: photo

In connection with the change in the uniform of officers by order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 70, the everyday shoulder straps of officers and generals became green with a pattern similar to the pattern on gold shoulder straps. Asterisks on everyday uniforms are preserved in gold and silver.

In 1963, the insignia of the rank of Petty Officer changed. The former, referred to in the soldier's jargon as the "foreman's hammer", are being replaced by a wide stripe running along the shoulder strap. The foremen have a red patch on everyday field shoulder straps of khaki color.

From January 1973, two letters “SA” were introduced on the shoulder straps of soldiers and sergeants (metal for full dress uniforms and plastic for overcoats and everyday uniforms) to distinguish army soldiers and sergeants from sailors, sergeants and foremen of the fleet, the letter “F” was introduced in the navy or for the fleets "SF", "TF", "BF", "Black Sea Fleet", as well as military personnel of the internal troops, border troops and parts of the KGB - the letters "BB", "PV", "GB". Somewhat later, the letter "K" was introduced on the shoulder straps of cadets of military schools (order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 81-73g.). Shoulder straps and buttonholes on the full dress and everyday uniforms of soldiers, sergeants became colored with yellow (golden) stripes. Khaki shoulder straps with red stripes remained only on field soldier and sergeant uniforms. The cadets have the same shoulder straps on all types of uniforms.

By a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated 11/18/1971, since 1972, a new category has been added to the scale of ranks of the Armed Forces of the USSR, standing between sergeants and officers "Ensigns and midshipmen". In the army in this category, one rank is established "Ensign" and in the navy "Midshipman". Ceremonial epaulettes of ensigns have a chess pattern of color depending on the type of troops. Everyday and field epaulettes of ensigns have the same pattern and green color. Two stars and emblems of golden color on dress and everyday shoulder straps and green on field shoulder straps.

In 1980, the new title "Senior Warrant Officer" was added to the category "Warrant Officers and Warrant Officers" and in the Navy "Senior Warrant Officer". He wore three stars in a vertical row.

Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 11/1/1974 changes the insignia of the rank of "Army General". Instead of four general stars in one vertical row, one large star is introduced for them, like the marshals of the armed forces. In place of the emblems of the military branches of the generals of the army, a sewn combined arms emblem is placed. In addition to changing shoulder straps, the generals of the army were given a marshal star on their tie, which only marshals previously had. Soviet Union, marshals and chief marshals of military branches.

Casual epaulettes

Shoulder strap colors for soldiers, sergeants, cadets and ensigns:

• combined arms and infantry (motorized rifles) - scarlet;
• aviation and airborne forces - blue;
• all other military branches are black.

Coloring of gaps and edges for junior, senior and senior officers:

• aviation and airborne forces - blue;
• all other types of troops - scarlet.

Field shoulder straps

Since December 1956, the field shoulder straps of officers have lost their colored piping, and the gaps on the field shoulder straps, instead of the color of burgundy (command staff) and brown (everyone else), have become the same for all categories of officers, but in color according to the type of troops:

• motorized rifles and combined arms - raspberry;
• artillery, armored troops - red;
• aviation - blue;
• all technical troops are black.

From January 1973, two letters “SA” were introduced on the shoulder straps of soldiers and sergeants (metal for full dress uniforms and plastic for overcoats and everyday uniforms) to distinguish army soldiers and sergeants from sailors, sergeants and foremen of the fleet, the letter “F” was introduced in the navy or for the fleets "SF", "TF", "BF", "Black Sea Fleet", as well as military personnel of the internal troops, border troops and parts of the KGB - the letters "BB", "PV", "GB". Somewhat later, the letter "K" was introduced on the shoulder straps of cadets of military schools (order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 81-73g.). Shoulder straps and buttonholes on the full dress and everyday uniforms of soldiers, sergeants became colored with yellow (golden) stripes. Khaki shoulder straps with red stripes remained only on field soldier and sergeant uniforms.

Ranks and insignia

Shoulder straps in the Red Army 1943, 1944, 1945

(on the example of shoulder straps of artillerymen)

On January 6, 1943, the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet (PVS) of the USSR “On the introduction of shoulder straps for the personnel of the Red Army” was signed, announced by order of the NPO No. 24 of 10.01.1943. 25 "On the introduction of new insignia and changes in the uniform of the Red Army" (). In it, in particular, it was determined that field shoulder straps are worn by military personnel in the army in the field and personnel of units being prepared for dispatch to the front. Everyday shoulder straps are worn by servicemen of other units and institutions, as well as when wearing full dress uniforms. That is, in the Red Army there were two types of shoulder straps: field and everyday. Also, differences in shoulder straps were introduced for the command and command staff (see the regulation on the command and command staff), so that it was possible to distinguish the commander from the chief.

It was instructed to switch to new insignia in the period from February 1 to February 15, 1943. Later, by order of the NPO of the USSR No. 80 dated February 14, 1943, this period was extended until March 15, 1943. By the beginning of the transition to summer uniforms, the Red Army was fully provided with new insignia.

In addition to the directive documents mentioned above, later the Instruction of the Technical Committee of the Main Quartermaster Directorate of the Red Army (TC GIU KA) No. 732 of January 8, 1943 “Rules for the selection, fastening on items of uniform and wearing shoulder straps by the personnel of the Red Army” was issued, as well as whole line technical conditions of TK SMI KA. In addition, some technical documentation was adopted long before the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. So, for example, the Temporary Specifications (VTU) of the TK GIU KA No. 0725, in which there was a description of emblems and insignia (asterisks) on shoulder straps, were published on December 10, 1942.

The dimensions of the shoulder straps were set:

• Null- 13 cm (only for women's uniforms)
• The first- 14 cm.
• Second- 15 cm.
• Third- 16 cm.
  Width - 6 cm, and the width of the shoulder straps of officers of justice, medical, veterinary and administrative services - 4 cm. The length of the sewn-in shoulder straps was set 1 cm longer for each size.
  The width of the generals' shoulder straps is 6.5 cm. The width of the shoulder straps of the generals of the medical, veterinary services and the higher beginning. composition of century-jur. service - 4.5 cm. (In 1958, a single width for such shoulder straps was established for all generals of the Soviet army - 6.5 cm.)

Varieties of field shoulder straps according to the method of manufacture:

• Soft sewn-in shoulder straps( ) consisted of a field (top), lining (lining), lining and piping.
• Soft removable shoulder straps( ), in addition to the above parts, they had a half-lash, a half-lash lining and a jumper.
• Rigid removable shoulder straps( ) differed from soft ones in that during their manufacture, fabrics and shoulder straps were glued with a paste consisting of 30% wheat flour and wood glue, as well as the presence of an additional gasket made of electrical cardboard - pressboard, jacquard or calibrated, 0.5 - 1 mm thick .

- Coloring of field and everyday shoulder straps of the Red Army -.

- Military ranks of the USSR Armed Forces 1935-1945. (table of ranks) -.

Shoulder straps of junior command, commanding and enlisted personnel of the Red Army
(private, sergeant and foreman)

FIELD SHAPES: The field of field shoulder straps has always been khaki. Shoulder straps were edged (sheathed) along the edges, except for the bottom, with colored cloth edging according to the branches of the military or services. The stripes on the shoulder straps of the junior command and command staff were silk or semi-silk galloon. Patches were produced in various sizes: narrow (1 cm wide), medium (1.5 cm wide) and wide (3 cm wide). The junior commanding staff relied on a burgundy galloon, and the junior commanding staff - brown.

Ideally, patches should have been sewn onto shoulder straps in factories or in sewing workshops at military units. But often the stripes were fastened by the servicemen themselves. In conditions of front-line shortages, stripes made from improvised materials were often used. It was common to use everyday (golden or silver) stripes on field shoulder straps and vice versa.

Field epaulettes were supposed to be worn without emblems of military branches and stencils. Uniformed iron 20-mm buttons of a protective color with a star, in the center of which there was a sickle and a hammer, were placed on shoulder straps.

This type of shoulder strap existed until December 1955, when double-sided shoulder straps were introduced. In the period from 1943 to 1955, the technology for manufacturing these shoulder straps changed several times. In particular, in 1947 and 1953 (TU 1947 and TU 1953)

Field epaulettes of junior officers on the example of a senior sergeant of artillery. The patch (galoon) is sewn in the factory on a sewing machine. Buttons iron protective color.

CASUAL SHAPES: Everyday shoulder straps of the junior command, junior commanding and rank and file were edged (sheathed) along the edges, except for the bottom, with colored cloth piping, and also had a field of colored cloth according to the type of troops. The stripes on the shoulder straps of the junior command and command staff were silk or semi-silk galloon. Patches were produced in various sizes: narrow (1 cm wide), medium (1.5 cm wide) and wide (3 cm wide). The junior commanding staff relied on a gold-yellow galloon, and the junior commanding staff - silver.

Everyday epaulettes were given golden emblems according to the type of troops and yellow stencils denoting a unit (compound). It should be noted that stencils were used extremely rarely.

On shoulder straps there were shaped golden brass 20-mm buttons with a star, in the center of which there was a sickle and a hammer.

This type of shoulder strap existed until December 1955, when double-sided shoulder straps were introduced. In the period from 1943 to 1955, the technology for manufacturing these shoulder straps changed several times. In particular, in 1947 and 1953. In addition, since 1947, encryption has ceased to be applied to everyday shoulder straps.

Everyday epaulettes of junior officers on the example of a senior sergeant of artillery. The patch (lace) is sewn by the soldier himself. There are no encryptions, as on most shoulder straps. Buttons: top-brass (correspondingly yellow-golden color), bottom-iron.

Shoulder straps of the senior and middle command and command staff of the Red Army
(officers)

FIELD SHAPES: The field of field shoulder straps has always been khaki. Shoulder straps were edged (sheathed) along the edges, except for the bottom, with colored cloth piping. One or two burgundy color gaps were sewn on the shoulder strap field for command personnel and Brown color for the commanding staff. According to the assigned military rank, belonging to the branch of service or service, insignia were placed on the field of shoulder straps.

On the shoulder straps of the middle command staff - one clearance and silver-plated metal 13-mm stars.

On the shoulder straps of the senior command staff there are two gaps and silver-plated metal 20-mm stars.

On the shoulder straps of the commanding staff, in addition to the commanding staff of the infantry, silver-plated emblems were installed according to the type of troops, services.

On shoulder straps there are uniform metal 20-mm buttons of a protective color with a star, in the center of which there is a sickle and a hammer.

Field epaulettes of the middle command staff on the example of ml. artillery lieutenant. The rank star must be silver. In this case, the silver plating has worn off.

CASUAL SHAPES: The field of epaulettes of the command staff is made of golden silk or golden galloon. The field of epaulettes of the engineering command staff, commissariat, medical, veterinary, military legal and administrative services is made of silver silk or silver galloon. Shoulder straps were edged (sheathed) along the edges, except for the bottom, with colored cloth piping. According to the assigned military rank, belonging to the branch of service or service, insignia were placed on the field of shoulder straps.

On the shoulder straps of the middle command staff there is one clearance and metal golden 13-mm stars.

On the shoulder straps of the senior command staff there are two gaps and metal golden 20-mm stars.

On the shoulder straps of the commanding staff, in addition to the commanding staff of the infantry, golden emblems were installed according to the type of troops, services.

Emblems and stars on the shoulder straps of the engineering command staff, quartermaster, administrative and medical service- gilded. On the shoulder straps of the military veterinary staff, the stars are gilded, the emblems are silver plated.

On shoulder straps there are uniform golden 20-mm buttons with a star, in the center of which there is a sickle and a hammer.

The shoulder straps and insignia of the middle and senior commanding staff of the military legal service fully corresponded to the shoulder straps and insignia of the senior and middle command staff of the medical and veterinary services, but with their own emblems.

The shoulder straps of the military administrative staff were exactly the same as the shoulder straps for the senior and middle commanding staff of the medical and veterinary services, but without emblems.

These epaulettes lasted until the end of 1946, when the technical specifications of TU TK GIU VS No. 1486 dated October 9, 1946 for officers of the Armed Forces established epaulettes with a cut corner top, i.e. shoulder straps became hexagonal.

Everyday shoulder straps of the middle command staff on the example of the shoulder straps of an artillery captain. The button should be gold.

Shoulder straps of the highest command staff of the Red Army
(generals, marshals)

FIELD SHAPES: A field of epaulettes made of silk galloon of special weaving on a cloth lining. The color of the field of shoulder straps is protective. The color of the shoulder straps: combined arms generals, generals of artillery, tank troops, medical and veterinary services, higher beginning. the composition of the military legal service - red; aviation generals - blue; generals of the technical troops and quartermaster service - crimson.

Stars on shoulder straps were embroidered with silver 22 mm in size. On the shoulder straps of the generals of the medical, veterinary service and higher beginning. composition of the military legal service - gold, 20 mm in size. Buttons on shoulder straps with coat of arms are gilded. On the shoulder straps of generals honey. services - gilded metal emblems; on the shoulder straps of the generals blows. services - the same emblems, but silver plated; on the shoulder straps of the higher beginning. composition of the senior legal service - gilded metal emblems.

By order of the NPO of the USSR No. 79 dated February 14, 1943, shoulder straps were installed, incl. and for the higher engineering and technical staff of the communications troops, engineering, chemical, railway, topographic troops - to the generals of the engineering and technical service, according to the model established by the generals of the technical troops. From this order, the highest chief. the composition of the military legal service began to be called the generals of justice.

EVERYDAY epaulettes: A field of epaulettes made of galloon of special weaving: from gold drag. And for the generals of the medical and veterinary services, the highest beginning. composition of the military legal service - from silver drawing. The color of the shoulder straps: combined arms generals, generals of artillery, tank troops, medical and veterinary services, higher beginning. the composition of the military legal service - red; aviation generals - blue; generals of the technical troops and quartermaster service - crimson.

Asterisks on shoulder straps were embroidered on a golden field - in silver, on a silver field - in gold. Buttons on shoulder straps with coat of arms are gilded. On the shoulder straps of generals honey. services - gilded metal emblems; on the shoulder straps of the generals blows. services - the same emblems, but silver plated; on the shoulder straps of the higher beginning. composition of the senior legal service - gilded metal emblems.

By order of the NPO of the USSR No. 61 dated February 8, 1943, silver emblems were installed for generals of artillery to wear on shoulder straps.

By order of the NPO of the USSR No. 79 dated February 14, 1943, shoulder straps were installed, incl. and for the higher engineering and technical staff of the communications troops, engineering, chemical, railway, topographic troops - to the generals of the engineering and technical service, according to the model established by the generals of the technical troops. Probably from this order the highest beginning. the composition of the military legal service began to be called the generals of justice.

These epaulettes existed without fundamental changes until 1962, when by order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 127 dated May 12, sewn-on epaulettes with a steel-colored field were installed on the generals' parade and output overcoats.

An example of everyday and field epaulettes of generals. Since February 8, 1943, generals of artillery had additional artillery emblems on shoulder straps.

Literature:

• Uniform and insignia of the Red Army 1918-1945. AIM, Leningrad 1960
• Shoulder straps Soviet army 1943-1991 Eugene Drig.
• Color table for field and everyday shoulder straps of the Red Army ()
• The newspaper "Red Star" of January 7, 1943 ()
• Article by Alexander Sorokin "Field shoulder straps of soldiers, sergeants and officers of the Red Army, sample 1943"
• Website - http://www.rkka.ru

article code: 98653

70 years ago in the Soviet Union, shoulder straps were introduced for the personnel of the Soviet Army. Shoulder straps and stripes in the Navy were canceled in Soviet Russia after the October Revolution of 1917 by a decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR (they were considered a symbol of inequality).

Shoulder straps appeared in the Russian army at the end of the 17th century. Initially, they had a practical meaning. They were first introduced by Tsar Peter Alekseevich in 1696, then they served as a strap that kept a gun belt or cartridge pouch from slipping off the shoulder. Therefore, the epaulette was an attribute of the uniform of only the lower ranks, since the officers were not armed with guns. In 1762, an attempt was made to use epaulettes as a means of isolating the military personnel of different regiments and isolating soldiers and officers. To solve this problem, each regiment was given shoulder straps of different weaving from a garus cord, and to separate the soldiers and officers, the weaving of shoulder straps in the same regiment was different. However, since there was no single pattern, the shoulder straps performed the task of insignia poorly.

Under Tsar Pavel Petrovich, only soldiers began to wear shoulder straps again, and again only for a practical purpose: to keep ammunition on their shoulders. Sovereign Alexander I returned the function of insignia to shoulder straps. However, they were not introduced in all branches of the military, in the infantry regiments they introduced shoulder straps on both shoulders, in the cavalry - only on the left. In addition, then shoulder straps did not denote ranks, but belonging to one or another regiment. The number on the shoulder strap indicated the number of the regiment in the Russian imperial army, and the color of the shoulder strap showed the number of the regiment in the division: red denoted the first regiment, blue - the second, white - the third, and dark green - the fourth. in yellow army (non-guards) grenadier units were designated, as well as the Akhtyrsky, Mitavsky hussar and Finnish, Primorsky, Arkhangelsk, Astrakhan and Kinburn dragoon regiments. To distinguish the lower ranks from the officers, the shoulder straps of officers were first sheathed with gold or silver galloon, and a few years later epaulettes were introduced for officers.

Since 1827, officers and generals began to be designated by the number of stars on epaulettes: ensigns had one star each; second lieutenants, majors and major generals have two; for lieutenants, lieutenant colonels and lieutenant generals - three; staff captains have four. On the epaulettes of captains, colonels and full generals there were no stars. In 1843, insignia were also established on the shoulder straps of the lower ranks. So, the corporals got one badge; for non-commissioned officers - two; senior non-commissioned officer - three. The sergeant-major received a transverse stripe 2.5 cm wide for shoulder straps, and ensigns received exactly the same stripe, but located longitudinally.

Since 1854, instead of epaulettes, shoulder straps were also introduced for officers, epaulettes were left only for ceremonial uniforms. Since November 1855, shoulder straps for officers have become hexagonal, and for soldiers - pentagonal. Officer epaulettes were made by hand: on color base pieces of gold and silver (rarely) galloon were sewn on, from under which the field of shoulder straps shone through. Asterisks were sewn on, gold stars on a silver shoulder strap, silver stars on a golden shoulder strap, of the same size (11 mm in diameter) for all officers and generals. The epaulette field showed the number of the regiment in the division or the type of troops: the first and second regiments in the division were red, the third and fourth were blue, the grenadier formations were yellow, the rifle formations were crimson, etc. After this, there were no revolutionary changes until October 1917 of the year. Only in 1914, in addition to gold and silver shoulder straps, were first established field shoulder straps for the army. Field shoulder straps were khaki (khaki), the stars on them were oxidized metal, the gaps were indicated by dark brown or yellow stripes. However, this innovation was not popular among officers, who considered such epaulettes ugly.

It should also be noted that officials of some civilian departments, in particular, engineers, railway workers and the police, had shoulder straps. After February Revolution 1917, in the summer of 1917, black shoulder straps with white gaps appeared in shock formations.

On November 23, 1917, at a meeting of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee, the Decree on the destruction of estates and civil ranks was approved, along with them, shoulder straps were also canceled. True, in the white armies they remained until 1920. Therefore, in Soviet propaganda, shoulder straps for a long period of time became a symbol of counter-revolutionary, white officers. The word "gold chasers" has actually become a dirty word. In the Red Army, military personnel were initially allocated only by position. For insignia, sleeve patches in the form of geometric shapes(triangles, squares and rhombuses), as well as on the sides of the overcoat, they denoted the rank and belonging to the military branch. After civil war and until 1943, the insignia in the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army remained in the form of buttonholes on the collar and sleeve chevrons.

In 1935, personal military ranks. Some of them corresponded to the royal - colonel, lieutenant colonel, captain. Others were taken from the ranks of the former Russian Imperial Navy - lieutenant and senior lieutenant. The ranks that corresponded to the former generals were retained from the former service categories - brigade commander (brigade commander), division commander (division commander), commander, army commander of the 2nd and 1st ranks. The rank of major was restored, which was canceled under the emperor Alexandra III. Outwardly, the insignia remained practically unchanged compared to the samples of 1924. In addition, the title of Marshal of the Soviet Union was established, it was already marked not with rhombuses, but with one big star on the collar flap. On August 5, 1937, the rank of junior lieutenant appeared in the army (he was distinguished by one head over heels). On September 1, 1939, the rank of lieutenant colonel was introduced, now three sleepers corresponded to a lieutenant colonel, not a colonel. The colonel now received four sleepers.

On May 7, 1940, general ranks were established. Major General, as in the days Russian Empire, had two stars, but they were located not on shoulder straps, but on collar valves. The lieutenant general was given three stars. This is where the similarity with the royal ranks ended - instead of a full general, the lieutenant general was followed by the rank of colonel general (he was taken from the German army), he had four stars. Following the colonel general, the general of the army (borrowed from the French armed forces), had five stars.

On January 6, 1943, by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, shoulder straps were introduced in the Red Army. By order of the NPO of the USSR No. 25 of January 15, 1943, the decree was announced in the army. In the Navy, shoulder straps were introduced by order of the People's Commissariat of the Navy No. 51 dated February 15, 1943. On February 8, 1943, shoulder straps were established in the People's Commissariats of Internal Affairs and State Security. On May 28, 1943, shoulder straps were introduced at the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs. On September 4, 1943, shoulder straps were established in the People's Commissariat of Railways, and on October 8, 1943, in the USSR Prosecutor's Office. Soviet shoulder straps were similar to the royal, but there were some differences. So, officer army shoulder straps were pentagonal, not hexagonal; the colors of the gaps showed the type of troops, and not the number of the regiment in the division; the clearance was a single unit with the epaulette field; color piping was introduced according to the type of troops; stars on shoulder straps were metal, silver and gold, they differed in size for senior and junior ranks; ranks were designated by a different number of stars than in the imperial army; shoulder straps without stars were not restored. Soviet officer epaulettes were 5 mm wider than the royal ones and did not have ciphers. Junior lieutenant, major and major general received one star each; lieutenant, lieutenant colonel and lieutenant general - two each; senior lieutenant, colonel and colonel general - three each; captain and general of the army - four each. For junior officers, shoulder straps had one gap and from one to four silver-plated stars (13 mm in diameter), for senior officers, shoulder straps had two gaps and from one to three stars (20 mm). For military doctors and lawyers, the stars were 18 mm in diameter.

Badges for junior commanders were also restored. The corporal received one badge, the junior sergeant - two, the sergeant - three. The senior sergeants received the former broad sergeant-major's badge, and the foremen received the so-called. "a hammer".

For the Red Army, field and everyday shoulder straps were introduced. According to the assigned military rank, belonging to any kind of troops (service), insignia and emblems were placed on the field of shoulder straps. For senior officers, the stars were originally attached not to the gaps, but to the galloon field nearby. Field epaulettes were distinguished by a field of khaki color with one or two gaps sewn to it. On three sides, shoulder straps had edgings in the color of the type of troops. Gaps were introduced: for aviation - blue, for doctors, lawyers and commissaries - brown, for everyone else - red. For everyday shoulder straps, the field was made of galloon or golden silk. The silver galloon was approved for everyday shoulder straps of the engineering, quartermaster, medical, legal and veterinary services.

There was a rule according to which gilded stars were worn on silver shoulder straps, and silver stars were worn on golden shoulder straps. Only veterinarians were an exception - they wore silver stars on silver shoulder straps. The width of shoulder straps was 6 cm, and for officers of military justice, veterinary and medical services - 4 cm. troops - black, doctors - green. On all shoulder straps, one uniform gilded button with a star was introduced, with a hammer and sickle in the center, in the Navy - a silver button with an anchor.

The epaulettes of the generals, unlike those of officers and soldiers, were hexagonal. The general's epaulettes were gold with silver stars. The only exceptions were shoulder straps for the generals of justice, medical and veterinary services. They received narrow silver epaulettes with gold stars. Unlike the army, the naval officer's shoulder straps, like the general's, were hexagonal. The rest of the naval officer shoulder straps were similar to those of the army. However, the color of the piping was determined: for officers of the ship, engineering (ship and coastal) services - black; for naval aviation and aviation engineering service - blue; quartermaster - raspberry; for everyone else, including justice officers, red. The command and ship staff did not have emblems on shoulder straps.

Application. Order People's Commissar Defense of the USSR
January 15, 1943 No. 25
"On the introduction of new insignia
and about changes in the form of the Red Army"

In accordance with the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of January 6, 1943 "On the introduction of new insignia for the personnel of the Red Army", -

I ORDER:

1. Set the wearing of shoulder straps:

Field - by military personnel in the active army and personnel of units being prepared for dispatch to the front,

Everyday - by servicemen of other units and institutions of the Red Army, as well as when wearing full dress uniforms.

2. The entire composition of the Red Army to switch to new insignia - shoulder straps in the period from February 1 to February 15, 1943.

3. Make changes to the uniform of the Red Army personnel, according to the description.

4. Enact the "Rules for wearing uniforms by personnel of the Red Army."

5. Allow the wearing of the existing uniform with new insignia until the next issue of uniforms, in accordance with the current terms and supply standards.

6. Commanders of units and chiefs of garrisons strictly monitor the observance of uniforms and the correct wearing of new insignia.

People's Commissar of Defense

I. Stalin.

epaulettes of the highest command staff (generals, marshals)

FIELD epaulettes
A field of epaulettes made of silk galloon of special weaving on a cloth lining. The color of the field of shoulder straps is protective. The color of the shoulder straps: combined arms generals, generals of artillery, tank troops, medical and veterinary services, higher beginning. the composition of the military legal service - red; aviation generals - blue; generals of the technical troops and quartermaster service - crimson.

Stars on shoulder straps were embroidered with silver 22 mm in size. On the shoulder straps of the generals of the medical, veterinary service and higher beginning. composition of the military legal service - gold, 20 mm in size. Buttons on shoulder straps with coat of arms are gilded. On the shoulder straps of generals honey. services - gilded metal emblems; on the shoulder straps of the generals blows. services - the same emblems, but silver plated; on the shoulder straps of the higher beginning. composition of the senior legal service - gilded metal emblems.

By order of the NPO of the USSR No. 79 dated February 14, 1943, shoulder straps were installed, incl. and for the higher engineering and technical staff of the communications troops, engineering, chemical, railway, topographic troops - to the generals of the engineering and technical service, according to the model established by the generals of the technical troops. From this order, the highest chief. the composition of the military legal service began to be called the generals of justice.

EVERYDAY epaulettes

The field of epaulettes is made of galloon of special weaving: from gold drag.
For generals of medical and veterinary services, higher beginning. composition of the military legal service - from silver drawing. The color of the shoulder straps: combined arms generals, generals of artillery, tank troops, medical and veterinary services, higher beginning. the composition of the military legal service - red; aviation generals - blue; generals of the technical troops and quartermaster service - crimson.

Asterisks on shoulder straps were embroidered on a golden field - in silver, on a silver field - in gold. Buttons on shoulder straps with coat of arms are gilded. On the shoulder straps of generals honey. services - gilded metal emblems; on the shoulder straps of the generals blows. services - the same emblems, but silver plated; on the shoulder straps of the higher beginning. composition of the senior legal service - gilded metal emblems.

By order of the NPO of the USSR No. 61 dated February 8, 1943, silver emblems were installed for generals of artillery to wear on shoulder straps.

By order of the NPO of the USSR No. 79 dated February 14, 1943, shoulder straps were installed, incl. and for the higher engineering and technical staff of the communications troops, engineering, chemical, railway, topographic troops - to the generals of the engineering and technical service, according to the model established by the generals of the technical troops. Probably from this order the highest beginning. the composition of the military legal service began to be called the generals of justice.

These epaulettes existed without fundamental changes until 1962, when by order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 127 dated May 12, sewn-on epaulettes with a steel-colored field were installed on the generals' parade and output overcoats.

Army shoulder straps were divided according to their purpose into field and everyday. The former were worn on field uniforms, the latter on casual and dress uniforms, in accordance with the wearing rules announced by order of the NPO of the USSR No. 25. When epaulettes were introduced, it was understood that servicemen of the Active Army would be provided with field epaulettes, as well as units being prepared for dispatch to the front; and everyday - the rest of the servicemen "in the rear" and all the servicemen when wearing full dress uniforms.

Order No. 25 of the NCO of the USSR gave a general description of the new insignia. "Shoulder straps. Along the contour, the shoulder strap is a strip with parallel long sides. The lower end of the shoulder strap is rectangular, the upper end is cut off at an obtuse angle, for the shoulder straps of the marshals of the Soviet Union, generals and senior commanding officers, the top of the obtuse angle is cut parallel to the lower edge. The edges of the shoulder strap, except for the lower , are edged".

Depending on the height of the soldier, the length of shoulder straps was set in the range of 14–16 cm. The width of the main mass of shoulder straps was 6 cm, except for the Marshals of the Soviet Union and generals, who were supposed to have shoulder straps 6.5 cm wide. The shoulder straps of medical and veterinary generals were 4.5 cm wide services, as well as the highest military-legal staff. The shoulder straps of the officers of the medical and veterinary service and the commanding military-legal staff were 4 cm wide. All dimensions are indicated along with the piping, the width of the piping itself was 0.25 cm.
In accordance with the assigned rank and type of troops (service), stars and stripes were placed on shoulder straps
by rank, emblems, and on the shoulder straps of cadets and soldiers - also encryption stencils. On the shoulder straps of generals
(except for the veterinary and medical services), emblems were not supposed to. Also, traditionally there were no emblems on the shoulder straps of the main branch of the army - the infantry. The emblems were not worn on the field shoulder straps of the junior command and commanding and enlisted personnel.
According to their design, epaulettes were sewn on and removable (although they were not directly called that in the order itself). Sewn on with their lower edge, they were sewn into the shoulder seam of the sleeve, and fastened with the upper
on a button. The detachable ones were fastened with the help of a half-lash, threaded into the loop on the shoulder, and fastened together with the upper end of the shoulder strap with a button.
Button fastening was different for soldiers and officer shoulder straps. In the first case, the button was sewn to the uniform near the collar, in the second it was fastened with a special cord, threaded
through the holes in the uniform, half-lash, chase and into the eye of the button.

Scheme of the front and reverse side epaulette model 1943

Selected materials from the book

The introduction of new insignia in the Red Army,

epaulettes sample 1943

It is impossible, describing the year 1957, not to mention the most likely unusual insignia in the Soviet
The armies are the fruits of the failed reform of Marshal of the Soviet Union G.K. Zhukov.
By order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR No. 185 of 09/28/57, changes were introduced in the uniform of the military personnel of the Soviet Army, shoulder straps were especially radically changed.
Description of the shoulder straps from Appendix No. 1 to the order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 185: "The shoulder straps have a conical shape with an upper obtuse angle. The width of the shoulder strap: at the bottom 5 cm, at the top 4 cm. The length of the shoulder strap is from 10 to 14 cm, respectively
shoulder length. The color of the field, edges and gaps on shoulder straps is set according to the types of troops and services. The crimson color is replaced by red. The diameter of the emblem of the Soviet Union on the shoulder straps of the marshals of the Soviet Union and the admirals of the fleet of the Soviet Union is 32 mm. The diameter of the star on the shoulder straps of the marshals of the Soviet
Union - 35 mm, and on the shoulder straps of the chief marshals and marshals of the armed forces - 30 mm.
Go to new form and shoulder straps was to begin in 1958. But after the removal of Marshal Zhukov, the reform was suspended, and in March 1958, the new Minister of Defense, Marshal of the Soviet
Soyuz R.Ya. Malinovsky order No. 185 was completely canceled.

[...]

1957 reform, tapered epaulettes

Shoulder straps arr. 1957: major general for parade uniform and aviation junior lieutenant for shirt. Reconstruction

[...]

New rules for wearing military uniforms 1958

Decree of the PVS of the USSR No. 1808-VI dated 10.24.63 and the subsequent order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR No. 247 dated 11.5.63 on the shoulder straps of military personnel with the rank of foreman instead of two stripes (transverse and longitudinal) was established to wear one longitudinal stripe wide 30 mm. For shoulder straps of cadets of military schools with the rank of "foreman", the width of the galloon on the sides instead of 13 mm was set to 6 mm, and on the upper sides the shoulder strap was no longer sheathed with galloon in the case of factory production. If the shoulder straps of the cadet foreman were made independently, then one longitudinal stripe of galloon 15 mm wide was sewn onto the standard cadet shoulder strap.

[...]

Changing the location of the foremen's stripes on shoulder straps in 1963

Starshina Starikov in a tunic with epaulettes arr. 1943 Sergeant's badges of the period 1943–1963

Sergeant major over military service A.K. Sorokin
in formal dress uniform arr. 1958 with shoulder straps. Sergeant's patches - after 1963

On June 26, 1969, by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR No. 4024-VII, a number of cardinal changes were made to the description of insignia for the military personnel of the Soviet Army and Navy, which exactly a month later, on July 26, 1969, were announced by order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR No. 190. On the same day, by order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 191, new rules for wearing military uniform clothes. The changes introduced by the Decree of the PVS and the previous order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 190 and described by these rules affected many aspects of the military uniform, including shoulder straps.

One of the main innovations was a modified form of soldier's shoulder straps. In connection with the complete rejection of tunics and closed uniforms and the introduction of tunics and open parade uniforms, the shape of shoulder straps for most types of uniforms for soldiers and sergeants of the Soviet Army was changed from 5-coal to 4-coal, with a beveled top edge. In addition, such shoulder straps were sewn on uniforms, removable ones were preserved only for short fur coats and insulated padded jackets for especially cold areas, and for officers and generals - also for shirts. And unlike the 60s. removable soldier shoulder straps were already one-sided, although the old double-sided shoulder straps continued to wear out. They could not be used only by motorized rifle troops, which had their instrument color changed.

It was one more drastic change, introduced by the Decree of the PVS of the USSR on 06/26/69. Now the main branch of the Soviet Army wore not raspberry shoulder straps, but red ones. Correspondingly, the colors of the edges and gaps of the officers' shoulder straps also changed.

For the first time, the red color for the shoulder straps of conscripts was established in 1957 during the failed reform of Marshal Zhukov. Then various experiments were carried out on the introduction of red. So, for example, the Moscow Command School named after the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR put on the November parade of 1968 pentagonal cadet shoulder straps with a red field instead of crimson and black piping. And finally, the red color was established as an all-army color precisely in 1969. The shoulder straps of soldiers and sergeants of motorized rifle troops, cadets of higher combined arms command and military-political schools became red.

The crimson color has been preserved or re-established for the generals of the engineering troops, signal troops, technical troops, generals, officers and cadets of the quartermaster, medical, veterinary service and justice, officers of the administrative service, crimson were the edges and gaps of shoulder straps, as well as some other elements of uniforms.

It is also necessary to dwell on such an interesting and controversial issue like crimson soldier's epaulettes. The fact is that in the order announcing the rules for wearing military uniforms, there is not a word about soldiers and sergeants of medical units. Specifically, Order No. 191 says: " Officers, sergeants and soldiers of units of the military branches (services) of the Soviet Army that are part of a military unit (military school) wear the uniform established for this military unit, but with the emblem of a certain type of troops (service) on shoulder straps (buttons) .. Generals and officers of justice, quartermaster, medical, veterinary and administrative services, regardless of what branch of the Soviet Army they serve in, wear the uniform established for these services". That is, officers of the medical service, regardless of the unit where they serve, wear "crimson" shoulder straps, and soldiers and sergeants wear shoulder straps of the color of the military branch of the unit where they serve, but with medical emblems.
Doubts are being expressed about the existence of such crimson soldier epaulettes and their legality. But if you strictly follow the letter of order No. 191, it turns out that the soldiers serving in the medical units of the central subordination (and there were such in the army) should have worn the insignia of medicine. As it was in practice, for example, in the service units of the Burdenko Central Military Clinical Hospital, where soldiers and sergeants sewed crimson shoulder straps.

In addition to the soldier's army shoulder straps described above, in 1969 there could be two more instrument colors: blue and black (the protective color will be discussed below). The first relied on aviation, airborne troops and airfield engineering units. The second - to all other "technical branches of the military", including armored, artillery and others, as well as military builders.

Always, not only in 1969, in the army, when switching to new uniforms or insignia, it was allowed
wear out the old ones for a certain period of time. And since to this for the first time after the transition
a deficit of new items was added, then for more than one year soldiers and sergeants used old closed uniforms and tunics after the official introduction of a new uniform. Removable and sewn-on pentagonal shoulder straps were worn on both old and new uniforms.
In this case, it was easier for the officers, their shoulder straps differed in cut only in the size of the bevel of the upper edge, which was still not visible under the collar. So it only remained to change the asterisks on the parade outfit, but on the everyday one this was not required.

With the introduction in 1969 of a new soldier's uniform with buttonholes on the collar, emblems
almost completely moved from shoulder straps to them. The emblems of the soldiers remained on removable shoulder straps for short fur coats and insulated padded jackets for especially cold areas, which had a fur collar,
where it was impossible to attach buttonholes, as well as for work uniforms, which will be described below.

[...]

1969 uniform and insignia reform.

This photo clearly shows that during the transition period they could wear both the new uniform and the old one. The tanker on the left is dressed in an open parade uniform arr. 1969 with shoulder straps and buttonholes of red color (according to the type of troops of the unit), the driver on the right - in a closed parade uniform arr. 1956, which probably has crimson epaulettes sewn on, converted from pentagonal to hexagonal, which was a common practice at that time. Lvov, 1970

Junior sergeant from the 11th Cavalry Regiment in parade uniform arr. 1969, on which are sewn light blue epaulettes with metal letters SA. Odintsovo, b / g.

Private engineer units of a motorized rifle
parts in the parade uniform arr. 1969 with shoulder boards with a red field, on which the metal letters SA are installed. November 1970

Ordinary artilleryman in parade uniform
arr. 1969. Shoulder straps on him with the letters "SA" made of polyvinylchloride plait. After 1980

Private artilleryman in a cotton everyday field jacket arr. 1969 with sewn-on shoulder boards in cotton suede, no letters. Early 1970s

Junior sergeant in a half-woolen tunic arr. 1969 with epaulettes with the letters "SA" made of polyvinyl chloride film, emblems of the topographic service are installed on the buttonholes.

Private automobile troops in an overcoat. Shoulder straps on it - with letters made of PVC film, 25 mm high. Germany, 1981

In 1969-1973 the set of emblems on shoulder straps (buttonlets) for the servicemen of the Soviet Army was revised. In July 1969, by order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 190, a new emblem was installed for engineering troops, bearing both the old symbols of these troops in the form of crossed axes, and the new one - a track-laying blade, an anchor, a mine, lightning bolts and all this - against the background of a gear. The former engineering emblem passed to the construction and engineering airfield units and military builders.

The pipeline troops received their own emblem in the form of a five-pointed star, a field main pipeline assembly, a crossed key and a hammer with a common frame in the form of oak leaves, according to the same order.

In 1971, instead of a wrench and a hammer, a new emblem was installed for the chemical troops in the form of a five-pointed star, bordered by oak branches and covered with a shield depicting a benzene ring and radioactive rays (Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 75 of 04/15/71).

[...]

Epaulette illustrations.

On the parade uniform of marshals and generals, sewn-on shoulder straps of golden (silver) color with a piping in the color of the type of troops were worn. Silver relied on the generals of the medical and veterinary services and justice. In addition, these generals, as well as the generals of artillery, had emblems on shoulder straps.

On the shoulder straps of the Marshals of the Soviet Union, in the upper part, the coat of arms of the Soviet Union with a diameter of 47 mm was embroidered with golden thread and colored silk, and below the coat of arms - a golden five-pointed star 50 mm in diameter, edged with red silk.

On the shoulder straps of the chief marshals of the military branches, a golden emblem of the military branch was embroidered in the upper part, and below the emblem, a five-pointed star with a diameter of 40 mm, bordered with colored silk, framed by two laurel branches. Kant epaulette and edging of stars were in color according to the type of troops. The shoulder straps of the marshals of the military branches were the same as the shoulder straps of the chief marshals, but without framing the star with laurel branches.

Stars were embroidered on the shoulder straps of the generals: on a golden field - silver, on a silver
- golden.

Removable hexagonal epaulettes with a golden (silver) field relied on the front-output overcoat, similar in appearance and location of emblems and stars to sewn-on ones. Sewn-on shoulder straps were also allowed.

On the summer coat, marshals of military branches and generals wore shoulder straps, Marshals of the Soviet Union - removable shoulder straps.

The everyday uniforms of marshals and generals relied on shoulder straps with a field of silk
galuna of protective color. Coat of arms of the Soviet Union, stars, emblems, edging on the shoulder straps of the Marshals of the Soviet
Union and marshals of military branches, everything was the same as on shoulder straps for parade and output uniforms. On the everyday shoulder straps of the generals, the stars were golden. Sewn-on epaulettes were worn on an everyday tunic, removable or sewn on on a casual field overcoat, and removable on a bekesh.
Shirt shoulder straps have changed compared to 1957 in that the stars on them are not silver,
but golden. They also began to rely on golden metal buttons with the image
coat of arms of the Soviet Union, and not plastic, as before. The marshals even before that had buttons on their shirts.
shoulder straps were gilded.

Hero of the Soviet Union Marshal of the Soviet Union K.S. Moskalenko and Lieutenant General V.N. Egorov among the participants of the meeting of honors students in combat and political training. Both of them are dressed in everyday tunics, on which shoulder straps arr. 1958 with khaki field. Late 1950s