Russia, Soviet Union. A Nkvd Commissioner Of State Security, Third Class Uniform, C. 1940

This is a rare and exceptionally well-preserved People’s Commissariat for Internal Affairs (Народный комиссариат внутренних дел) “NKVD” uniform, consisting of a tunic, trousers, and visor cap. The tunic is constructed of an olive-green cotton twill, with a collar trimmed with gold bullion wire piping. The collar is flanked by tabs, constructed of a red cotton twill base trimmed with carmine piping and measuring 30 mm (w) x 100 mm (l), each bearing three gilded magnetic metal stars on top of a band of gold bullion wire. Stitched onto the upper left arm is an insignia in the form of a NKVD emblem, consisting of a padded red cotton patch bearing a machine-embroidered black wire sickle and hammer pierced by a gold bullion wire sword, inside of an oval of identical construction, measuring 42 mm (w) x 65 mm (h). The forearm of each arm bears three five-pointed stars, constructed of a padded red cotton base trimmed with machine-embroidered gold bullion wire, all measuring 35 mm (w) x 35 mm (h). The cuff of each sleeve is trimmed with a narrow band of gold bullion wire and opened with two magnetic metal buttons, bearing sickle and hammer insignias, meeting reinforced buttonholes. The upper breasts of the tunic each bear a pocket opening with a stylized horizontal flap bearing a reinforced buttonhole meeting a magnetic metal button with a sickle and hammer insignia. Above the upper left breast pocket are three reinforced holes, arranged horizontally, accommodating a medal ribbon bar featuring three decorations. These include an Order of the Red Star, a Medal “For Courage”, and a Medal for the Defence of Leningrad. The ribbons are set on a 75 mm-long magnetic metal bar with a horizontal pinback. The tunic is partially opened by a slit with three magnetic metal buttons on the right, similarly bearing sickle and hammer insignia, meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left. The interior of the tunic is plain. Unmarked, the tunic measures approximately 520 mm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 600 mm and an overall body length of 750. Minor, age-appropriate soiling and material fatigue is evident, but the tunic is in an otherwise near extremely fine condition.

Accompanied by its breech-style trousers, constructed of a dark blue cotton twill. The exterior belt area bears six loops, while just underneath the loops are two integrated belts with adjustable magnetic metal buckles. The trousers are flanked by two side pockets, while a single reverse pocket, opening with a black bakelite button, sits at the top of the right leg. The fly of the trousers is closed with five black bakelite buttons meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes, with an additional magnetic metal clip on the left meeting a loop of identical construction on the right. A band of machine-embroidered carmine piping extends the length of the exterior of each leg. The ankle area of each leg has a horizontal slit closed with two black bakelite buttons meeting reinforced buttonholes, with a strap of black cotton stitched into each ankle slit. The interior of the trousers has a partial white and blue cotton pinstripe liner, which bears a manufacturer’s label reading “ШВЕЙНАЯ ФАБРИКА КИМРЫ” (“SEWING FACTORY KIMRY”). The liner also bears six black bakelite buttons. The trousers measure approximately 410 mm across the waist, with an inseam of 705 mm and a waist-to-ankle length of 995 mm. There is evidence of machine-stitched repairs and minor soiling, but the trousers are in an otherwise better than very fine condition.

Including its visor cap, constructed of dark blue wool with a red wool cap band. The top and bottom of the cap is trimmed with carmine piping. The cap band bears a central insignia in the form of a bronzed magnetic metal five-pointed star, with red enameled arms, bearing a central sickle and hammer, measuring 30 mm (w) x 30 mm (h). The cap is flanked by two magnetic metal buttons, each bearing a sickle and hammer insignia, holding in place a decorative black plastic chinstrap, which rests upon the protruding visor. The visor is constructed of black lacquered vulcanfibre and is securely held in place by ten pieces of stitching. The interior of the cap features a 40 mm-wide blackened leader sweatband tightly held in place by rows of machine stitching. There is a complete grey cotton twill interior liner, the top of which is marked with a partially-legible stamp reading “РАЗМЕР 57” (“SIZE 57”) and “МОСКВА 1940” (“MOSCOW 1940”). The cap measures approximately 235 mm (w) x 280 mm (l) x 100 mm (h). Moderate soiling is evident to the exterior and interior, but it is in an otherwise very fine condition.