The Uniform: Tunic's, Breeches, Boots, Head Wear, Belt, Water Canteen & Ammunition Pouches.

The Red Army were issued with 2 patterns of uniforms before and during the war (Known as the Great Patriotic War).
The difference between the 2 uniform was the tunic which is called 'Gymnaistorka'

These Gymnaistorka's were labeled Obr and then the year of introduction was added.
Obr35 and Obr43.

The first pattern was the Obr35
Gymnaistorka which was the pre to mid war Gym and was replaced by the Obr43 Gym.

 

Abovet: A good picture of Red Army other ranks and NCO's wearing the Obr43 uniform.

The Obr43 uniform (Gymnaistorka and the Breeches) are one of the most essential items to obtain along with a pair of boots, Sapogi of ankle boots. See details below.

The Obr43 Uniform: The main difference between the Obr35 and Obr43 pattern Gyms was the high neck collar and shoulder boards (Pogoni.) The material is of a thick cotton with a particular weave and came in a variety of brown/green shades though Russian dyes tended to fade to a lighter shade through washing and bleeching of the sun so it was common to see troops together with different colour uniforms.
The Soviet Military kept the Obr43 Gymnaistorka in military service from 1943 right through the post war years up to the 1960's but changed the pattern and design in 1972.
Post war Gyms are best but are becoming more difficult to find and are limited to smaller sizes so purchasing your uniform from one of the approved Militaria dealers may be an option. Using the Link button at the top of this page will take you to dealers that unit members have purchased items from. If using Trident Militaria (based in the USA) then make sure that you obtain the 2nd generation uniform as they are made from the correct Soviet material.

 

 

The Obr43 Gymnaistorka

Buttons: The Obr43 Gym has 2 breast pockets which are fastened by buttons. The front is fastened half way by 5 buttons because the gym is unlike any tunic that was issued to western troops Allied or Axis alike. The cuffs are fastened by a further 2 buttons each while the shoulder boards were fastened by 2 more buttons.

A total of 13 buttons were used on the Obr43 Gym and there are 2 sizes. The 11 buttons that fasten the Gym are 11mm and are either Brass or Green Painted Steel, the green Plastic Lend Lease type are acceptable, however the 'stay bright' modern brass effect are not as they are unauthentic.

Collar Liner: It was Red Army policy that a Collar liner was sewn and worn on the inside of the collar as this protected the wearers neck from sore red skin and kept the Gym collar clean from grime and dirt. It was regulation to replace the collar liner daily.

The collar liner is made from white cotton and is very easy to make. A long piece of white cotton like a pillow case/bed sheet cut into 60mm to 80mm widths then simply folded in half, (Ironed flat is best). Then cut to size (Enough to fold over the edges so it's edge is not cut raw that will frey) to the inside of the collar remembering to not cover the button holes and that there is an equal gap between the white collar liner when the collar is fastened.
Using white cotton loosely tack the collar liner to the inside of the Gym collar leaving approximately 2mm to 3mm of the white collar liner showing above the collar and should be visible when the collar is worn fastened up.

Sharovari: The Red Army troops were issued with breeches and not trousers because they were not straight cut but were jodhpur cut in shape. They are fastened by steel buttons and have a fly front.
The lower part of the Sharovari is tapered from below the knee to the ankle and is fastened by 2 buttons and a piece of material which wraps around the ankle and is tied.
Both knees are re-enforced with extra material in the shape of a diamond. Those without this re-enforcement were intended for officers.
Boots: Red Army Military were issued high length boots (Sapogi) in greater numbers when the was began after the lessons learnt in the Finnish campaign when Red Army troops suffered high losses through inadequate footwear like the studded Ankle boots and puttees. The boots let in water and conducted the cold from the Finnish snow.
The Sapogi boots are becoming difficult to obtain so one of the dealers that have been mentioned before should have some but be careful to what size you order as the dealers are in the U.S.A. so use different sizes to Europe and the UK.
Ankle Boots & Puttees: Red Army troops were issued with ankle boots and puttees before the war which dated back to World War I. The ankle boots not give much protection to to the feet in water or snow but photographic evidence shows that they were worm by troops from the German invasion in June 1941 to the Battle for Berlin in 1945.
The boots used can be either German WWII repro ankle boots or British Naval Deck boots. Not steel capped boots.
The puttees can be either British officers puttees, you will need 2 pairs as you need to sew a pair together because they are too short, or you can cut strips from authentic material or blankets which colours range from shades of brown, green and even black.
The bottom part of the Sapogi boots were made of leather and had a rubber sole, the upper part was made of a coated canvas. This made the boots water proof and were cheep to produce.
Pilotka:
The pilotka or Side Cap was issued to all ranks including officers though the quality was better. Post War versions are perfect as they didn't change for decades after the war but remove the Rexene liner which is easily unstitched. Add an enameled red star but not the modern stay bright versions or add the subdued version.
Leather & Canvas Belts: Troops were issued with roll a buckle leather belts which varied in widths but later in the war an economy version was introduced, the canvas belt with a limited amount of leather.
The Water Canteen: The canteen was carried by all troops including officers in the field. A simple aluminum canteen was carried in a canvas cover which simply unbuttoned from the belt to use it.
Ammunition Pouches: All soldiers carried ammunition pouches relevant to the weapon that they were carrying and most Red Army troops were armed with the Mosin Nagant Rifle. These rexin Soviet pouches are available and at the moment inexpensive.

Obr35 Gymnaistorka: Above shows the Obr43 Gym which was introduced mid 1943 and well into the post war years but the Obr35 Gym was what the Red Army were issued with before the German invasion on the Soviet Union right up to the victories at Stalingrad and Kursk in February and July 1943 respectively.

The Obr35 Gym had a shirt like collar with buttons down the front either concealed under a cover of material or exposed as the pictures on the right show. The pockets came in various forms pleated or unpleated and were fastened wit 2 buttons which could be black, subdued green or steel in colour. The neck was fastened with a hook and eye

Collar patches were used to donate rank but the collar patchs of June 1941 were Magenta in colour

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