Equipment Required for Reenacting Soviet infantryman of WW 2.

In order to uphold the high standards of re-enactment, participant should have all of the items on the list below.



1) M35 or M43 Tunic - 'Gymnastiorka". There was little standardization in the patterns used, as long as they conformed to the usual style. Colors of the materials from near white shades of green to dark brown/green khaki's. Period or postwar production. For many years after the war, the Soviet uniforms were the same as those produced during the war. Cotton for summer issue, wool for winter issue. Need to have rank insignia as well.

2) Trousers - Wool or cotton "Sharovari".Coloration and production as per the tunic.

3) Undershirt - Long Sleeve white linen for summer, Wool/cotton blend for Winter.

4) Underwear - Khaki boxer style.

5) Side Cap - Original or Post War "Pilotka" with Red or Green Enlisted Cap Star. Soldiers had a sewing needle and thread inside the flap of "Pilotka", for quick repairs.

6) Shoulder Boards - "Pogoni" on the M43 Tunic.

7) Badges WWII issue - Original or replica.

8) Socks - Feet were wrapped in a kind of large neckerchief called a "portyanki". Socks were also worn.

9) Shoes/Boots - Leather ankle boots (“Govnodavy”) with Puttees or Russian issue chrome or kirsa Jack boots. In winter time felt boots ("Valenki") are allowable.

10) Wool Greatcoat - Shinel

11) "Telogreyka" - Padded winter suit -top and bottom original or reproduction.

12) Winter Cap - Pre War cap “Budionnovka” with Red Star or fur cap "Ushanka" with enlisted Red or Green Cap Badge.

13) M40 or M35 Helmet - With chin strap. Helmets original color is a greenish tint. Star or slogan “Âïåðåä” ( “Forward”) on helmet allowed.

14) Ammo pouches - these can be either real leather or the impregnated canvas artificial leather. Get the correct ones, as there are some postwar ones which look similar but aren't correct. Period or correct postwar production are permitted.

15) Canteen and Cover - the canteen is a simple oval shaped metal (or glass) flask with a screw on top. Need to have the fabric cover for it. Postwar production is permitted since they looked the same for many years after the war. The color of the cover should be a khaki color, but there was a great variance in production of this item, so color is not very important.

16) Mess kit - Knife, fork, wooden or metal spoon. Spoon when not in use, was tucked into one of the boots. Mess tin original cylindrical or German style. Captured German Mess kit is allowable .

17) Cigarettes/Tobacco - Russian tobacco is called Makhorka. Rolling papers was either pages from a book, a newspaper or any other kind of paper. Captured German or Post War Soviet “Belomor” cigarettes are allowable.

18) Belt - the Rifleman can have a belt in several configurations. Very common is the web belt with leather reinforcement. Postwar production is permitted. A real leather belt with single prong buckle can also be used. Original or replica. Captured German belts can be used on occasion, with buckle styled to be a Soviet buckle ( with Red Star instead of Eagle with a swastika). This was a favorite practice of "razvedchiki".

19) Rain Cape/Shelter half - It is a canvasy fabric and should be a dark olive color. Postwar production is acceptable, just make sure the toggles are wood, not plastic. Kept in Rucksack or cape worn over the shoulder/chest region like a horse-shoe shape.

20) Red Army ID Book - Reproduction.

21) Entrenching tool - Original, replica or post war, metal section is to be sharpened and wood section is left unpainted.

22) Entrenching tool cover - Original or Repro only. No post war types or East German copies.

23) Rucksack - "Veshchevoi meshok", “Sidor” original or replica. Postwar production is allowed, just remove the outside pockets.

24) Gasmask Bag - Khaki canvas bag. Most soldiers discarded the masks and used the bags to carry whatever they needed, due to lack of a proper rucksack. Period, postwar or repro are acceptable. Postwar should be examined to see that it is indeed the correct configuration since there were several styles of masks after the war.

25) Issue Rifle Cleaning kit - Pouch, takedown tool, T-handle assembly, Rod stop and patch jag tool.

26) Issue Rifle Oiler - Dual Spout oil can style.

27) F-1 Grenade(s) - Copy.

28) 3 pocket Grenade Pouch - Original or Repro.

Items 1,2,3,5,7,9,11,12,15,18, 21,23,26 see on the over CATALOGUE.
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