Soviet KGB Border Guards(PV)

Hello as a topic of interest I thought I would write about one of my favorite forces the KGB Border guards.
My interest lies directly within the transitional period from the older style uniforms to the new Spetsodezhda uniforms which occurred in the early 1980's and lasted well into the Russian Federation before being fully phased out of service. The most interesting thing about the Spetsodezhda uniform design is that it was a departure from its predecessors and set the stage for all Soviet uniforms that would follow.

Anyway now on to the uniforms!

1st Pattern Spetsodezhda dated 1984:





2nd pattern Spetsodezhda Dated 1988:



2nd pattern Spetsodezhda winter weight left dated 1991 right dated 1988:



Still unidentified Spetsodezhda oversuit no tags no markings but the quality points to it being of soviet origin not some made up thing as suggested in Dennis Desmond's book:




Now on to headgear:

Spetsodezhda Panamas right is 2nd pattern dated 1991 right is first pattern (only pins up on one side) and dated 1986:



Spetsodezda Beret dated 1984:



Spetsodezda visor caps both dated 1984 right field used left in mint condition:



Spetsodezda kepis (I have a few) various dates 80's to early 90's:



Last but not least Soviet border guard visor caps 1980's dated:




Reference pictures:

Nice collection of stuff - I have a small collection of KGB stuff as well but not as extensive as yours. Been after the first pattern Spetsodezhda for ages and have come close but never could quite close the deal. Have also seen the first pattern winterweight on EBay 2 years ago but outbid by a French collector.

1st pattern uniforms are like the holy grail of this hobby. Some people have only heard "whispers and legends". Ebay is usually the worst place IMO to find Border guard stuff the bid wars can get crazy! I saw a set of 2nd pattern winter weight go for 660 something dollars a few years ago and last year a 1st pattern went for around the same if no more.... I think it may have broke 700.

As for the 1st pattern winter jacket I know that french collector quite well. He has by far one of the most vast collections of soviet items and has many more border guard uniforms then me. He is a fantastic fellow and has helped me along the way with everything, such as uniform identification of my 1st pattern as the European border version. Good luck on eventually scoring a 1st pattern winter uniform!

Soviet_Kazimir wrote:

Do you know the timeframe in which this photo was taken? I noticed the soldier still carries an AK47 variant as opposed to a 74, that is why I am asking.

That's not a AK-47 it's an AKM. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AKM

As for the time period it's dated to about the 1980's.

filupe wrote:Nice collection of stuff - I have a small collection of KGB stuff as well but not as extensive as yours. Been after the first pattern Spetsodezhda for ages and have come close but never could quite close the deal. Have also seen the first pattern winterweight on EBay 2 years ago but outbid by a French collector.

If you don't mind me asking how much did that set end up going for?

Soviet_Kazimir wrote:That's not a AK-47 it's an AKM. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AKM

As for the time period it's dated to about the 1980's.

It is an AKM, isn't it? I overlooked the ribbed upper receiver.
Thanks for the info.

Beautiful collection! I bid on a 1st Model set a year or two ago and got my butt handed to me. I also saw a 2nd Model winter set sell for huge money. IIRC somewhere around $500.

Steve

CollectinSteve wrote:Beautiful collection! I bid on a 1st Model set a year or two ago and got my butt handed to me. I also saw a 2nd Model winter set sell for huge money. IIRC somewhere around $500.
Steve

IMO 500 is near crazy for a second pattern winter uniform... Yes Border guard stuff is quite rare but with a little patience you can find them for 150-300. The prices people actually are willing to pay for 1st pattern now that goes beyond insane.

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this is one of my friend collection,he is a rich man I think only he found and buy this KGB Guards(PV) in China. Two years ago ,he like collect soviet/Russian field gear and uniform.Now he start collecting soviet General uniforms.He is a godfather of Chinese player.

Soviet Kazimir - BRAVO! My congratulations!

I think that here it is necessary to add else one variety

That is early KLMK pre 1970's, yes the Border guards did use that but my topic covers the use of Spetsodezhda exclusively.

Here is a Soviet 4 Pocket Spetsodezhda Uniform.

The uniform has the internal pistol pocket with lanyard. The pants have the divided cargo pocket on the left leg which is standard for these 4 pocket uniforms.

The manufacturer stamp shows the uniform was manufactured in 1991 in the city of Gukovo.

Brilliant set! Those 4 pocket sets were used by the KGB (PV) airmobile in the 80's!

They tucked the jacket in the pants.

Wow! I don't think I've ever seen the 4 pocket variant. Sweet!

Steve

Wow, now that this thread was posted, everyone's KGB camo is coming out of the woodwork!
I have a set of Berezka pattern like this in the Rex Designs M7 BDU style -- commercial if I remember correctly, but a neat pattern nonetheless!

My contribution:

Nice set! Not unlike my own in 54-6. Although I must question the placement of the Border guard patch... I haven't seen them like that. Also is your set missing the collar tabs?

fourtycoats wrote:My contribution:

Hi guys

The patch should be on sleeve pocket,not over top

You are both correct about the sleeve patch but I must admit that I sewed it on and deliberately put it above the sleeve pocket because if I had put it in the right place, i.e. on the pocket, it would have closed up the pocket unless I did it by hand instead of using a sewing machine.The moral of this story is that convenience beats being correct! I have not yet found the correct collar insignia.

Hand stitching is the way to go for these. I've only seen a couple jackets with their badging still on them and they were hand stitched. Same with shoulder boards and collar insignia. Since I really doubt the badge was ever sewn above the pocket I would suggest moving it to where it should be. Connivence shouldn't trump correctness

Steve

Hello
I think, in the end of the USSR, that this pattern was used by all arms
Pictures taken in Moscow during 1991
Gilles

vonstuck wrote:Hello
I think, in the end of the USSR, that this pattern was used by all arms
Pictures taken in Moscow during 1991
Gilles

On foto is a 27th "Sevastopolskaya" Motor Rifle Brigade. In 1991 this brigade was in the KGB forces.

Hey Gilles

I disagree with you about 1991 all arms used camo. I served from 1990-92 inSoviet Army. In 1991 I got my "Afghanka" field uniform,but I still used to wear XB and PShA uniforms. Camo uniforms used to wear ONLY airborne,specnaz,naval infantry, border guard units. Best regards, Vitalis