DDR NVA Major's tunic

[HARRY THE MOLE]

To the average person's eye there is no noticeable difference between the Makarov and the type 59. The main visible difference is the lovely blued finish to the Chinese version, and the type 59 is one hell of a lot rarer. if you were to 'google' for a deactivated Chinese Makarov, you would almost certainly draw a blank - for past or even present sales.

Cheers,
Steve.

[Watchdog]

I missed this one too!

Nice tunic Steve

Also, that's a nice early belt with the tongue behind the buckle that was deleted on later types. I am pleased to see the holster on the correct (right) side when so many seem to be displayed on the left in "cross-draw" position.

As an aside;
The German military has traditionally worn pistols on the right in the "butt rearwards" position. It is authentic to display it like this but in practice I have always thought it odd for military purposes.
In the crossdraw position as is the British military prescribed position (some think it cool to ignore this), it is possible to draw with the left hand too if the right is injured etc whilst in the case of the butt rearwards position it is impossible to use the other hand, just saying

Regards

Mark

[Blitzvogel]

A fine tunic Steve, and a very nice display! I own a similar tunic, but it is a piped one. These were originally parade tunics, but in the later years in the early 70's, they were adopted for service wear until the open collar tunics replaced them. Mine doesn't have machine sewn tabs, but they were often removed before washing and re-attached by various means. There are tears in the lining and other marks of wear.





-Joel

[Narcis]

Hi,
East German Makarovs have black plastic grips.
Luc

[HARRY THE MOLE]

A very nice tunic Joel. As for the Makarov I displayed, a quick search of the internet shows many images of East German pistols with brown, grey, and black grips.

Cheers,
Steve

[werwolf12]

Although the DDR was a repressive "Socialist" Satellite state, I can't help but admire how they retained the Prussian tradition in dress, military parades, and even their steel helmets although unusual, were still closer to tradition than the Bundeswehr. I own a couple of DDR relics, a wall hanging, and a Police Helper armband, two Steel Helmests (M54 and M75). DDR militaria is still reasonably priced. and starting a collection is certainly less expensive than Third Reich regalia.

[Narcis]

C'mon Harry,

Brown grips with a star on an East German Makarov are just to make the pistol more attractive for buyers.
Luc

[Blitzvogel]

Although the DDR was a repressive "Socialist" Satellite state, I can't help but admire how they retained the Prussian tradition in dress, military parades, and even their steel helmets although unusual, were still closer to tradition than the Bundeswehr. I own a couple of DDR relics, a wall hanging, and a Police Helper armband, two Steel Helmests (M54 and M75). DDR militaria is still reasonably priced. and starting a collection is certainly less expensive than Third Reich regalia.

Very true. I guess the Soviets thought that it would be best to let East Germans express themselves more freely, since transforming their country to a communist state was a difficult one. The old HVA/KVP uniforms from the late 40's and the 50s are very Russian-inspired, and from what I've heard, German people didn't like them at all, as they reminded them of the Red Army conquerors. The Reichswehr/Wehrmacht type appearance of the NVA was to appear familiar to the population.

I used to be into WW2 militaria, but it was just too expensive for me. I don't regret switching over to DDR, plenty of historically intriguing stuff and for a fraction of the price of WW2 militaria!

C'mon Harry,

Brown grips with a star on an East German Makarov are just to make the pistol more attractive for buyers.
Luc

I'm no expert on firearms, but aren't the grips on most Soviet/Chinese Makarovs very easily interchangeable? Could period modification have existed?

-Joel

[HARRY THE MOLE]

Generally speaking, black grips are the ones used on the East German pistol. But there are plenty of images that show them fitted with other colored grips. The VOPO Lugers can be found with brown Bakelite grips too.