Essentials Page

Quartermaster: When joining the 2nd Guards Rifle Division you are welcomed and introduced to our very own Quartermaster who will advise you as to what uniforms and kit that you will require, and if he has not got the item in stock or you require a different size then he can advise you of the suppliers who we use and recommend.

Essential Kit: Knowing what Red Army uniform items and equipment to buy can be a mine field and buying the wrong item is common amount many of us so contacting the Units Membership Secretary or the Quartermaster will be beneficial but pictures can say a thousand words and this is the objective of this page.
* We believe it's possible for members to obtain most or all of the essential kit within 6 months and the Additional items within a year but don't worry unit members and the unit will lend you kit that you need.

Welcome to our New Members Page. We hope that it's of interest to new and long term member alike and to those who are thinking about joining the ranks of The 2nd Guards Rifle Division.

The aim of this page is to inform and show you what uniform and equipment items that should be acquired first and hopefully helping you to avoid buying a costly mistake. Click on the buttons above and tour our web site.

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.

Above: 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.

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.

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 2 forms pleated or unpleated and were fastened with 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 patch's of June 1941 were Magenta in colour to donate Rifles as picture 1 shows but in August 1941 subdued collar patches were issued picture 2. Unfortunately NCO's and officers could not be recognized in battle so they were ordered to revert to the colored collar patches. NCO's and officer reverted back to the subdued version soon after because they became prime targets for snipers.
Every new recruit starts off as a private,
Krasnoarmeyets.

Haircut & Facial hair: One very important feature that's not been mentioned yet and that's the Haircut and facial hair.
Original pictures show short hair all over or just short or shaved back and sides with side or centre parting on the top part. We also require the same authentic haircut.

As for Beards and Moustaches original photographs show very few Soviet troops with beards even in combat conditions though troops unshaven was common in such conditions. Many Red Army troops did have Moustaches so these are permitted following the lines of authenticity. If in doubt contact the Membership Secretary but clicking on the Contact us button above.

If the Red Army didn't do it then we don't either! -Not Allowed: As mentioned above, long hair, ponytails even under your headwear, earrings, visable tattoos, rings except wedding rings remember this is a Red Army unit so they were worn on the Right hand. Also not to be worn is modern jewelry, watches or any other modern item, if in doubt contact the Membership Secretary.

Remember we try to be authentic as possible and that's why the 2nd Guards Rifle Division are one of the best World War II re-enactment groups around. CONTACT US click to join.