The shoulder straps of a major of the Red Army Air Force in 1943

Original and quite rare shoulder straps in very good collector's condition. Cloth, silk braid. They are originally equipped with Major's stars. Growth 2. Guarantee of authenticity.

On January 6, 1943, the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR "On the introduction of shoulder straps for the personnel of the Red Army" was signed, announced by the order of the NGO No. 24 dated January 10, 1943. He was followed on January 15, 1943 by the order of the NCO of the USSR No. 25 "On the introduction of new insignia and on changes in the uniform of the Red Army." In particular, it was determined that field shoulder straps are worn by military personnel in the active army and personnel of units being trained to be sent to the front. Everyday shoulder straps are worn by military personnel of other units and institutions, as well as when wearing dress uniforms. That is, in the Red Army there were two types of shoulder straps: field and everyday. Differences in shoulder straps for the commanding and commanding staff were also introduced (see the regulations on commanding and commanding staff) so that the commander could be distinguished from the chief.

It was prescribed to switch to the new insignia in the period from February 1 to February 15, 1943. Later, by order of the NCO of the USSR No. 80 dated 02/14/1943, this period was extended until March 15, 1943. By the beginning of the transition to summer uniforms, the Red Army was fully equipped with new insignia.

In addition to the above-mentioned directive documents, later the Instruction of the Technical Committee of the Main Quartermaster Directorate of the Red Army (TC GIU KA) No. 732 was issued on 8.01.1943. "Rules for the selection, fastening on items of uniforms and wearing shoulder straps by Red Army personnel", as well as a number of technical specifications of the TC GIU KA. In addition, some technical documentation was adopted long before the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. So, for example, the Temporary Technical Specifications (VTU) of the Technical Code of the SIU KA No. 0725, in which there was a description of the emblems and insignia (asterisks) They were issued on shoulder straps as early as December 10, 1942.