73 Uniform

The so called "Obr.69 (Model 1969)", also known as the: "M69", was a Soviet military uniform introduced in 1969 to replace the Gymnastyorka-style uniforms. It was used by all branches of the Soviet Armed Forces, except the Navy. Produced in a variety of styles, the Obr.69 remained standard issue until it was gradually replaced by the Afghanka uniform in 1988; however, it continued to be used by some Soviet successor states well after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The "Obr.69" or M69 are made up terms and the uniform shows up in pictures from 1966 and 1967.

Design

Technically, "Obr.69" refers to the entire line of dress and field uniforms introduced by the Soviets with their 1969 uniform regulations, though typically "Obr.69" is used to refer to the enlisted man's field uniform, officially known as the 'Field Dress' and broken down into two types - Summer and Winter.

Summer weight, which is made from a lightweight cotton material, and was worn with the traditional Pilotka hat.

Winter weight, which is made from fabric resembling a "gymnasterka" with their diagonal drill weave, with the officers model having a fur caller and their jacket using "moisture-proof fabric". The jacket is called "Bushlat" (pea coat).

There is disagreement about if the materials are quilted cotton or Wool Gabardine. Both materials were used in the gymnasterka. The "M69" was worn with the Ushanka and often a 'Shinel' greatcoat.

The Summer uniform was worn from April to October, and the Winter uniform was worn during the intervening months. The only difference in cut between uniforms was the lack of knee reinforcements on the winter version.

Additionally, a 'tropical' or desert version of the uniform was produced for soldiers stationed in the southern regions of the USSR, made of a slightly different material. This version of the uniform also lacked knee reinforcements, and featured green felt insignia positions, similar to ''Shinel'' greatcoats. This uniform was worn with the Panamanka hat and seems to be discontinued after the mid-1970s, as examples today are rare.
Another variant is a polyester-cotton blend version of the summer uniform, made from a similar material as the US OG-107 uniform. Some Pilotkas were also made from the same material. These uniforms are also rare today, with most examples dating to the mid-1970s.

Officers' Obr.69 field uniforms were darker in color than enlisted men's summer uniforms and have subdued green plastic buttons. They also featured branch-of-service colored piping on the trousers and were worn with a subdued visor cap. Warrant officers wore a version similar to this, but these uniforms did not have gold piping around the collar tabs. Originally the uniforms were made with green plastic buttons for all enlisted men - in 1973 these were changed to polished brass, while officers retained their green plastic buttons. The Obr.69 featured a button-up tunic, doing away with the Gymnastorka-type tunics which had been used by the Russian army for nearly a century. One possible reason for the change was the anticipated use of chemical and nuclear weapons in a possible future war with the United States and NATO. If the Gymnastorka, which was a pull-over design, became contaminated with chemical weapons or radioactive particles, it could not be removed without pulling it over the wearer's face, which would be highly undesirable.

The uniforms were worn with shoulder boards and collar tabs, which denoted rank and branch of service (see Military ranks of the Soviet Union). These were sewn on and in full color, and while in the field, the shoulder boards had "СА" ciphers from 1973 onwards, standing for "Soviet Army". A branch-of-service patch was also worn on the left shoulder. In the early 1970s, this patch was removed, as it was seen to be too colorful and bright in the field. While the insignia was supposed to be removed while in the field, in practice this was rarely done until the start of the Soviet–Afghan War in 1979. Additionally, like all Soviet uniforms, a Podvorotnichok was sewn into the collar and changed daily by the wearer. Soldiers could also wear awards on the uniform's chest while not in the field.

History

Following the Second World War, the Soviet Armed Forces continued to utilize the wartime Obr.43 Gymnastyorka uniform, until the introduction of the 1969 uniform regulations, which introduced replacements for virtually all the uniforms being used by the Soviet Armed Forces at that time, including a new Everyday/Field uniform. Although this uniform had no official name within the Soviet Military, today it is known in Military collecting circles as the M69, Obr69, or M1969, after the year of its introduction. A slight revision came in 1973, when the uniform's green plastic buttons were changed to polished brass ones, which were more durable and provided a sharper appearance.

Experience in Afghanistan showed that the Obr.69 was not ideal for combat. It lacked deep pockets, featuring only two small pockets on the tunic and two on the trousers. The trousers themselves, which were breeches and were designed to be worn with tall Kirza jackboots, also became unpopular once more and more soldiers in Afghanistan began to acquire lace-up combat boots. As a result of these reports, a new, modern combat uniform - the Afghanka was developed. The earliest examples of the new uniform were issued to troops in Afghanistan starting in 1982, and by the late-1980s they were virtually standard among Soviet troops stationed there. However, the Obr.69 remained standard issue to Soviet troops stationed elsewhere in the world. In 1988, the "Obr.88" Afghanka became the standard everyday/combat uniform for both Enlisted men and Officers, replacing all versions of the Obr.69. However, the Obr.69 remained in widespread use and production up until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 - in particular the winter weight version. For a time, it was common for soldiers to wear the Obr.69 while in garrison, and Afghankas while in the field. After 1991, Obr.69s continued to be used by many of the Soviet Army's successors for several years. There is some photographic evidence of Russian troops wearing them during the First Chechen War in 1994, and some Chechen insurgents also wore them during the conflict. Today, Obr.69s are popular collector's items.

Users

Former users

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Sources

* ''Soviet Uniforms and Militaria 1917–1991'' by Laszlo Bekesi The Crowood Press UK (June 30, 2011),
* ''Soviet and Mujahideen uniforms, clothing, and equipment in the Soviet Afghan War, 1979-1989''. By Zammis Schein
* ''Inside the Soviet Army Today''. Osprey Elite Military History Series No. 12 by Stephen J Zaloga
* ''Russia's War in Afghanistan'' by David Isby
* ''Warsaw Pact Ground Forces'' by David Rottmman

References

Soviet military uniforms
{{Soviet and Russian soldier equipment, state=expanded