The Soviet uniform was iconic for its destinctive style that came to dominate all eastern block countries following WWII. The uniform was simple, easy to make and repair, and cheap to produce. The uniform generally stayed the same through the entire war, with the exception of the switch from the collared shirts (as depicted on the left) to no collars and shoulder boards. Still, with the plethora of mislabeled cold war gear on the market, it is easy to buy the wrong items. This page is here to help!
The 198th Rifle Division uses uniforms typically worn by Russian soldiers of the regular army during the mid to later years of WWII. A useful guide to dating WWII Russian uniform pieces comes from their names. For example, an m35 tunic started production in 1935. A m43 in 1943, etc. Don't worry about matching every item in your kit to a specific year. Soldiers were issued whatever was on hand, whether old model or new, it made no difference. Use photos of Russian soldiers for reference, and the list below, and soon you will have an authentic Soviet kit!
The following is a list of the items that make up a basic 1943 RKKA Strelok Ryadovoi (Infantry Private) impression. You do not need every one of these items to come to an event. The items needed for a basic impression are highlighted in yellow. Contact one of our unit serzhants before buying any gear; the unit may have the equipment you seek on hand. If not, the Links section of this website will guide you to several quality vendors.
REQUIRED BASIC GEAR:
EYE PROTECTION with elastic retaining strap that meets ANSI z.87.1 (Highly Recommended: facemask, mouthguard or balaclava over mouth to prevent chipped teeth.)
Headgear:
M1940 helmet or M1935 pilotka sidecap with red or green small cap star.
Tunic:
Wool or cotton M35 (fold-down collar) or M43 (two-button standup collar) gymnastiorka tunic in any shade of khaki, brown or green; olive drab shoulderboards with raspberry red piping. (Recommended; white cotton collar liner hand-basted in place.)
Trousers:
Wool or cotton M35 sharovari trousers in any shade of khaki, green, brown, grey or navy blue. (Recommended: period suspenders or web belt.)
Belt:
1 ½" wide brown or tan leather or webbing belt with two loops and single-tang roller buckle. (Soviet Star belt buckles are NOT acceptable for streloki under the rank of starshi serzhant!)
Footgear:
Black leather calf-length sapogi boots; or black leather jackboots; or brown or black lace-up ankle boots with wool puttee wraps. (Recommended: portyanki footwraps instead of socks - if you can figure out how to keep them on - with a small sheathed eating knife in your outside right boottop and a soup spoon in your left.)
REQUIRED WINTER GEAR:
Headgear:
M1940 helmet, whited and worn with dark stocking cap or liner; or Soviet-bloc issue grey or white ushanka with small cap star.
Coat:
Soviet-issue brown synthetic wool greatcoat with raw hem and hook fasteners instead of buttons (double-breasted greatcoats with buttons are NOT acceptable for streloki under the rank of starshi serzhant!); OR padded cotton telegreika snowsuit jacket and pants. (Highly Recommended over
telegreika:
Russian-issue Winter camouflage snowsuit.)
Gloves:
Brown leather lined gloves or rag wool gloves.
PERSONAL WEAPONS:
Currently, WW2-era Russian airsoft weapons are difficult to find. Members of our unit are furiously working to address this situation, but if you cannot find or afford an appropriate weapon at this time, please do not let that deter you from joining our unit for events. The unit serzhants usually have loaner weapons available to rent, but you must contact one of our serzhants BEFORE the event to reserve one. Throughout the war, the Red Army fielded unarmed soldiers as "eyes, ears, and hands." It was not at all unusual for two or three soldiers to share a single rifle. Even if all loaner weapons have been reserved and you do not have one of your own, you can still muster with our unit as a spotter, armored car crew, or machinegun crew.
Preferred Weapons: Mosin-Nagant 91/30 springer rifle; Mosin-Nagant M38 springer carbine; SVT-40 AEG; PPSh-41 AEG; DP gas gun or AEG.
Acceptable Weapons: K98 springer or gas rifle; MP40 AEG; M1928 Thompson SMG AEG; Broomhandle Mauser gas gun with detachable shoulder stock.
Holstered sidearms may be carried by BA-64 crew and unit members above the rank of serzhant ONLY!
OPTIONAL PERSONAL ITEMS:
Breadbag or gas mask bag with tin cup.
Small aluminum bucket with bail handle. (The cup in your bag, the bucket on your belt and the utensils in your boots constitute your messkit.)
Aluminum Soviet-issue canteen with cloth belt pouch.
Plashch-palatka rain cape/shelter half.
For Riflemen: M1930 Mosin-Nagant two-pocket cartridge pouch in leather or dark brown synthetic.
For Submachinegunners: PPSh/PPS stick magazine pouch, or captured MP40 magazine pouch.
Square-headed nonfolding Soviet-issue entrenching tool with canvas belt pouch.
Meshok pack or M1939 knapsack.
Homemade tobacco pouch.