Soviet Cockade Ministry of Forestry Command Staff - Forest Guard VOKHR

Description: Thanks for looking! Soviet Cockade Ministry of Forestry Command Staff - Forest Guard VOKHR - 1979 Height: 36.60mm Width: 34.88mm Weight: 5.002g This is a lesser-known VOKhR of Soviet Forestry cockade. Unfortunately, although the cockade is not rare, there is no documentation or photography showing on which cap it was worn with indicating it was not in widespread use. Please note that one of the mounting prongs is missing. “The abbreviation VOKhR (in Cyrillic: ВОХР (ВОЕНИЗИРОВАННАЯ ОХРАНА)) was first used from 1917 to refer to troops of State Security or VeCheka (the predecessors of the KGB). However, in post-war usage it referred to uniformed civilian security guards - the caps of which I will describe on this page. There were two general categories of VOKhR: departmental (ministry) paramilitary security forces and guards at individual economic or industrial entities. Departmental security forces in particular were organized along military-style lines and were authorized to carry rifles and pistols while on duty (even being referred to as "Riflemen," at least in the Railways Ministry). While civilian (often former military), these organizations were closely regulated by the Ministry of Interior. Virtually every government ministry (including the Ministry of Defense) had its own VOKhR force at one time or another and there was no real attempt to standardize uniforms among ministries prior to 1961. Consequently, most VOKhR wore caps of their supported ministries - sometimes with special VOKhR cockades but not always. In 1961, by resolution passed by the USSR Council of Ministers, all departmental VOKhR - with the exception of Railways, Civil Aviation, and MORFLOT/River Fleet - were to adopt a dark blue uniform with insignia of rank on collar tabs. Subsequent decrees specified green banding on corresponding uniform caps. Non-departmental VOKhR apparently standardized on this uniform by 1965 (although ex-Soviet Army khaki field uniforms were also commonly worn with green tabs and VOKhR rank insignia). And, although Railways and Civil Aviation were initially exempt from this standardization, they too eventually adopted dark blue uniforms with green facings for their armed security forces (as did the Ministry of Defense in 1967). It appears VOKhR at civilian marine agencies always wore caps of those agencies. Cap cockades were also largely standardized, even though Railways and Civil Aviation personnel usually added their own ministry "wings" to the crown of their caps or even dispensed entirely with the VOKhR cockades in favor of their ministry's. As you will see below, the Forestry Ministry carried this one step further by creating its own unique VOKhR cockade design. As you will see from my descriptions below, there were a number of color and sewing variations in post-1961 VOKhR caps - despite the intent to standardize them after that date. Most collectors believe this variation came from rather incomplete descriptions in relevant uniform regulations as well as the common use of black or nearly black fabrics to satisfy the "dark blue" color requirement - especially in older caps. Consequently, you will see crown colors in black and blue, and piping colors range from green to dark blue to black to none at all! Sometimes these variations occurred even at the same garment factory in the same year! Availability of appropriate cloth undoubtedly also played a factor in this variation - since VOKhR caps were not subject to the same quality control as those destined for the Soviet Army or Navy.” Source: Under the Red Star (LTC Randall Stewart) *** Reach out to me with any and all questions you have. This item will ship with tracking. *** All sales are final. Condition and authentication are “as seen”.

Price: 25 USD

Location: Post Falls, Idaho

End Time: 2024-12-15T19:55:23.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD