My uniforms

My East German uniforms

Besides collecting peak caps from all over the world together with my brother, in 1994 I began collecting East German(DDR) militaria. The very first thing I bought was a sleeve patch of the Abschnittsbevollmächtiger of the Transportpolizei, this was in 1992/3 and that time I didn't even know what it was as I bought it because I found it interesting.
The following year I bought an Officer's peak cap of the East German Army (NVA- Nationale Volksarmee). When in 1994 I went to Berlin of course I went to the Brandenburger Tor where I've been told there was a lot of interesting things to buy and see. There I bought my first complete NVA uniform with the shoulderboards of an ensign 3rd grade (Stabsfähnrich) and some different caps. The same year I went to a sort of weekly market in Munich which was situated in the former airport of Riem (which is no more there as it was in those days). Here I bought again some NVA militaria but of course not everything as I wasn't an expert yet. From then on my passion for the East German militaria and everything which is related to East Germany(DDR) began and is now inflexible. I bought several literature about the East German uniforms and regulations to know more in detail about this faboulous Army and its uniforms. Today many people contact me for information or explanations about a piece of East German militaria they have but are not able to classify.
Below I showed up some uniforms I have in my collection, of course they are not all because I put only those ones which are really complete. For some uniforms I'm missing some little pieces as the right cap cover, braces and so on.

NVA LaSK(Army) uniform for higher ranked officers with Oberstleutnant epaulettes NVA LaSK uniform for lower ranked officers with Oberleutnant epaulettes.It has two metallic badges, the one above the right breast pocket is the Academy degree decoration and the one on the pocket is the NVA sport badge. NVA LaSK uniform for ensigns.This one has Stabsfähnrich epaulettes. These uniforms are made of the same quality as officers uniforms, as a matter of fact they wear the same collar tabs as the officers. On the left sleeve it has the cuff title of the NVA-Wachregiment and the ensigns patch 2nd model(post 1979). On the right breast pocket it has a bronze sport badge and above it a general classification badge. NVA LaSK parade uniform for soldiers and enlisted men.This woolen material uniform was even used to go on pass. The cuff bars show that it is a pre 1981 uniform. It has the Schützenschnur on the right side, which was a kind of "expert rifler" decoration. On the right breast pocket it has a bronze sport badge.

Parade uniform of an Oberst of the Wachregiment Felix Dzierzynski, the armed unit of the East German secret services STASI. These uniforms used to be stamped internally with the stamp of the Ministry of the Interior (MdI), but in more recent times they began to stamp them NVA. This one is stamped NVA but it still wears maroonish filled collar tabs instead of the standard white filled ones of the Army which were applied on these uniforms later. Same uniform as before but for lower ranked officers, it has Oberleutnant epaulettes. NVA LaSK uniform of a soldier of the Wachregiment Friedrich Engels, the most representative and known Wachregiment of the whole East German armed forces.Though it is a uniform for soldiers recognizable by the shoulder boards and the flat embroidered collar tabs, it is made with the same high quality worsted of the officers uniforms. NVA LaSK uniform for enlisted men of the Paratroopers.It has Stabsfeldwebel shoulder boards and one silver chevrons on the right sleeve which indicate that it is an Unteroffizier auf Zeit.It has the Parachuting brevet above the right breast pocket with the hanging add that indicates the number of jumps. The cuff bars indicate that it is a pre 1981 uniform and that it is also the uniform used to go on pass. Unfortunately I miss the two berets which go with this uniform. A grey beret when in service and an orange beret when on pass or for parades.

NVA LaSK uniform for enlisted men of the Paratroopers.It has Unteroffizier shoulder boards. It is one of the last uniforms which were produced before the fall of the wall. On the pocket there is a golden sport badge and the silver chevron on the right sleeve indicates that it is a Unteroffizier auf Zeit. Unfortunately I miss the two berets which go with this uniform. A grey beret when in service and an orange beret when on pass or for parades. NVA LaSK officers uniform of the Grenztruppen der DDR, the famous border guards of the GDR. This has Major epaulettes. This uniform can be used either for service duty or to go on pass also it can be used for parades. NVA LaSK officers uniform of the Grenztruppen der DDR.
This evening dress uniform has epaulettes for a Hauptmann, in this combination it is called Small Evening Dress, but by wearing the arm cords and the honor dagger it will be called High Evening Dress. NVA LaSK officers uniform of the Grenztruppen der DDR, the famous border guards of the GDR. This has Haupotmann epaulettes. This uniform can be used either for service duty or to go on pass also it can be used for parades.

NVA LaSK soldiers uniform of the Grenztruppen der DDR. It has Stabsgefreiter shoulder boards and a Schützenschnur of the Grenztruppen.On the right sleeve it has the silver embroidered chevron for all the professional staff that indicates the years of service, still on the right side there is a golden sport badge on the breast pocket. NVA LSK(Air Force) high ranked officers uniform.It has Oberst epaulettes the Academy degree badge and 2 rows of ribbons. The upper three are from left to right Verdienstmedaille der NVA Bronze, Medal for Waffenbrüderschaft Bronze and Verdienter Aktivist the lower three are for reliable services in the Army and they are from left to right: Gold, Silver and Bronze. NVA LSK officers uniform
This evening dress uniform has epaulettes for a Oberst, in this combination it is called Small Evening Dress, but by wearing the arm cords and the honor dagger it will be called High Evening Dress. NVA LSK officers uniform with Oberleutnant epaulettes. This uniform was used to go on pass and for parades, but even for service duty it was on regulation.

NVA LSK soldiers uniform of the early 1970's with closed up tunic. Normally when in service these uniforms were worn with the closed up tunic and grey nylon buckle belt, but to go on pass they used to keep the tunic open and wear shirt and tie under it with the black leather buckle belt. NVA LSK soldiers uniform of the late 1970's with already opened tunic.This tunic gives the possibility to be closed up to the neck but the way it is sewn shows clearly that this is no more a thing that has to be done. The cuff bars show that it is a parade uniform and a uniform to go on pass. NVA VM(Navy) uniform for lower ranked officers. It has Kapitänleutnant epaulettes and sleeve ranks. The golden embroidered star above the sleeve ranks show that it is a uniform for an embarked officer(Seemännische Laufbahn). The visor edge of the cap is decorated with a wavy golden stripe which is standard for all lower ranked officers and ensigns. NVA VM uniform for ensigns. It has epaulettes for a Stabsoberfähnrich, on the left sleeve middle there is the 2nd(post 1979) model patch for the ensigns. On the lower part of the sleeves there should be four 7mm wide golden embroidered stripes, but I wasn't able to find them yet.

NVA VM sailors summer uniform with Schützenschnur. There should be the category patches sewn on the sleeves but somehow they have been removed. MdI VP(Police) uniform for a Hauptmann of the E.German police MdI VP uniform for a Hauptwachtmeister of the E.German police. On the left sleeve it wears the Betriebspolizei patch and 3 silver embroidered chevrons which indicate the years of service, each chevrons is 5 years. On the right brest pocket there is a combat sport badge and above it a Bestenabzeichen (Badge for the best). MdI VP female uniform for a Wachtmeister of the E.German police.

MdI VP officers uniform of a Oberleutnant of the Transportpolizei(Trapo). MdI VP uniform for higher ranked officers of the Strafvollzug (prison police/guards). This uniform wears Oberstleutnant epaulettes. MdI VP uniform for lower ranked officers of the Strafvollzug (prison police/guards). This uniform wears Unterleutnant epaulettes. MdI VP uniform for enlisted men of the Strafvollzug. This uniform has shoulder boards for a Meister.

NVA combat camouflage uniform(BDU) identified as FDA(Felddienstanzug). This one displayed is a 2nd model BDU, I put it together with a straight magazine holder and a curved magazine holder. Also I completed it with the canteen and the tactical rucksack. 2nd model winter BDU with fake fur collar and shapka as it is written in the regulation for the full winter combination. Half season sees the jacket without the fur collar and instead of the shapka a garrison cap. NVA LaSK BDU for paratroopers with tactical combat vest. This is the latest version of this kind of BDU that has been produced for the paratroopers. I displayed the uniform with the PVC training helmet which was also used by motorcycle drivers of the NVA. NVA BDU in its latest version with the new type of suspenders and accoutrements identified with the abbreviation UTV. Note how the rank is no more shown by shoulder boards but by a patch on the left sleeve.
I completed the uniform with 2 magazine holders, 1 shovel, 1 bag with ABC gas mask, 1 hand grenade holder and a holster for the Makarow pistol.

One of the latest versions of the winter BDU with fake fur collar and shapka. NVA VM Combat overall for all embarked Navy personnel. This orange suit was called Kampfbordanzug and it appears here in one of its first versions with attached hood. It was common for all ranks. NVA VM combat overall for all embarked Navy personnel. This is one of the latest versions without any hood. It was common for all ranks.

The same navy combat overall displayed with the special navigation helmet which was used expecially on the high speed patrol boats of the Grenzbrigade Küste(Grenztruppen der DDR on sea). This helmet gives a generic head protection and also an acustical protecion from the excessive noise of the boat engines. BDU of the first type. It was introduced in the early 1960's and kept until 1965 when the new rain pattern camo came. It is almost totally complete! VM navy sailors winter dress uniform of a maat. It has the Schützenschnur and the Besten Abzeichen, a badge given to all those who have showed outstanding performances. Below this badge there is a classification badge of the chemical services 3rd class. VM navy sailors winter dress uniform with woolen overcoat. The rank on the epaulettes corresponds to an Obermatrose; The uniform is decorated with an artillery Schützenschnur.

VM Grenzbrigade Küste sailors winter dress uniform with woolen overcoat. It has the rank of maat and the Schützenschnur of the Grenztruppen der DDR; note the writing Grenzbrigade Küste instead of Volksmarine on the cap band and the green cufftitle typical of the Grenztruppen der DDR. VM navy higher ranked officer's service uniform of the Küstendienst(Coast Guard) that is to say Grenzbrigade Küste. VM navy admiral's service uniform.The badge on the right breast side is the Soviet War School badge. On the left side there are three rows of ribbons which are from right to left in the 3rd row: Für Treue Dienste in its 4 classes. 2nd row: Für Waffenbrüderschaft in Bronze and Silver, Für Hervorragende Verdienste in Bronze and Silver. 3rd row: Für Hervorragende Verdienste in Gold, Verdienstmedaille der DDR and two Kampforden in Bronze an Silver. NVA LaSK service uniform of a Stabsoberfähnrich of the Nachrichtendienst(Transmissions). It has the transmissions classification badge 2nd class; below it on the pocket a bronze sport badge and on the left a single row of all the four classes of the Medaille für Treue Dienste(medal for faithful services in the Army).

NVA LSK service uniform of the flying units of the Grenztruppen der DDR. This uniform has the rank of an Oberfähnrich and is decorated with a Grenztruppen classification badge 3rd class on the right side and a row of ribbons on the left. the ribbons are from left to right: medal for faithful services in the GT in Bronze and Silver, medal for good service at the frontier and at last medal for Hervorragende Verdienste in Bronze. VP police dark gree two piece overall for the motorbikers of the Deutsche Volkspolizei, it has the rank epaulettes of a Wachtmeister Zoll female winter service uniform of the Zoll(the East German Costums Authorities). will be added soon! :-)

I would like to thank my mother for all the support she gave me and is still giving me to keep up my collection supplying me storage space and comprehension everytime I bother her showing my new purchases.
Alex

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NVA LaSK(Army) uniform for higher ranked officers with Oberstleutnant epaulettes	NVA LaSK uniform for lower ranked officers with Oberleutnant epaulettes.It has two metallic badges, the one above the right breast pocket is the Academy degree decoration and the one on the pocket is the NVA sport badge.	NVA LaSK uniform for ensigns.This one has Stabsfähnrich epaulettes. These uniforms are made of the same quality as officers uniforms, as a matter of fact they wear the same collar tabs as the officers. On the left sleeve it has the cuff title of the NVA-Wachregiment and the ensigns patch 2nd model(post 1979). On the right breast pocket it has a bronze sport badge and above it a general classification badge.	NVA LaSK parade uniform for soldiers and enlisted men.This woolen material uniform was even used to go on pass. The cuff bars show that it is a pre 1981 uniform. It has the Schützenschnur on the right side, which was a kind of "expert rifler" decoration. On the right breast pocket it has a bronze sport badge.

Parade uniform of an Oberst of the Wachregiment Felix Dzierzynski, the armed unit of the East German secret services STASI. These uniforms used to be stamped internally with the stamp of the Ministry of the Interior (MdI), but in more recent times they began to stamp them NVA. This one is stamped NVA but it still wears maroonish filled collar tabs instead of the standard white filled ones of the Army which were applied on these uniforms later.	Same uniform as before but for lower ranked officers, it has Oberleutnant epaulettes.	NVA LaSK uniform of a soldier of the Wachregiment Friedrich Engels, the most representative and known Wachregiment of the whole East German armed forces.Though it is a uniform for soldiers recognizable by the shoulder boards and the flat embroidered collar tabs, it is made with the same high quality worsted of the officers uniforms.	NVA LaSK uniform for enlisted men of the Paratroopers.It has Stabsfeldwebel shoulder boards and one silver chevrons on the right sleeve which indicate that it is an Unteroffizier auf Zeit.It has the Parachuting brevet above the right breast pocket with the hanging add that indicates the number of jumps. The cuff bars indicate that it is a pre 1981 uniform and that it is also the uniform used to go on pass. Unfortunately I miss the two berets which go with this uniform. A grey beret when in service and an orange beret when on pass or for parades.

NVA LaSK uniform for enlisted men of the Paratroopers.It has Unteroffizier shoulder boards. It is one of the last uniforms which were produced before the fall of the wall. On the pocket there is a golden sport badge and the silver chevron on the right sleeve indicates that it is a Unteroffizier auf Zeit. Unfortunately I miss the two berets which go with this uniform. A grey beret when in service and an orange beret when on pass or for parades.	NVA LaSK officers uniform of the Grenztruppen der DDR, the famous border guards of the GDR. This has Major epaulettes. This uniform can be used either for service duty or to go on pass also it can be used for parades.	NVA LaSK officers uniform of the Grenztruppen der DDR. This evening dress uniform has epaulettes for a Hauptmann, in this combination it is called Small Evening Dress, but by wearing the arm cords and the honor dagger it will be called High Evening Dress.	NVA LaSK officers uniform of the Grenztruppen der DDR, the famous border guards of the GDR. This has Haupotmann epaulettes. This uniform can be used either for service duty or to go on pass also it can be used for parades.

NVA LaSK soldiers uniform of the Grenztruppen der DDR. It has Stabsgefreiter shoulder boards and a Schützenschnur of the Grenztruppen.On the right sleeve it has the silver embroidered chevron for all the professional staff that indicates the years of service, still on the right side there is a golden sport badge on the breast pocket.	NVA LSK(Air Force) high ranked officers uniform.It has Oberst epaulettes the Academy degree badge and 2 rows of ribbons. The upper three are from left to right Verdienstmedaille der NVA Bronze, Medal for Waffenbrüderschaft Bronze and Verdienter Aktivist the lower three are for reliable services in the Army and they are from left to right: Gold, Silver and Bronze.	NVA LSK officers uniform This evening dress uniform has epaulettes for a Oberst, in this combination it is called Small Evening Dress, but by wearing the arm cords and the honor dagger it will be called High Evening Dress.	NVA LSK officers uniform with Oberleutnant epaulettes. This uniform was used to go on pass and for parades, but even for service duty it was on regulation.

NVA LSK soldiers uniform of the early 1970's with closed up tunic. Normally when in service these uniforms were worn with the closed up tunic and grey nylon buckle belt, but to go on pass they used to keep the tunic open and wear shirt and tie under it with the black leather buckle belt.	NVA LSK soldiers uniform of the late 1970's with already opened tunic.This tunic gives the possibility to be closed up to the neck but the way it is sewn shows clearly that this is no more a thing that has to be done. The cuff bars show that it is a parade uniform and a uniform to go on pass.	NVA VM(Navy) uniform for lower ranked officers. It has Kapitänleutnant epaulettes and sleeve ranks. The golden embroidered star above the sleeve ranks show that it is a uniform for an embarked officer(Seemännische Laufbahn). The visor edge of the cap is decorated with a wavy golden stripe which is standard for all lower ranked officers and ensigns.	NVA VM uniform for ensigns. It has epaulettes for a Stabsoberfähnrich, on the left sleeve middle there is the 2nd(post 1979) model patch for the ensigns. On the lower part of the sleeves there should be four 7mm wide golden embroidered stripes, but I wasn't able to find them yet.

NVA VM sailors summer uniform with Schützenschnur. There should be the category patches sewn on the sleeves but somehow they have been removed.	MdI VP(Police) uniform for a Hauptmann of the E.German police	MdI VP uniform for a Hauptwachtmeister of the E.German police. On the left sleeve it wears the Betriebspolizei patch and 3 silver embroidered chevrons which indicate the years of service, each chevrons is 5 years. On the right brest pocket there is a combat sport badge and above it a Bestenabzeichen (Badge for the best).	MdI VP female uniform for a Wachtmeister of the E.German police.

MdI VP officers uniform of a Oberleutnant of the Transportpolizei(Trapo).	MdI VP uniform for higher ranked officers of the Strafvollzug (prison police/guards). This uniform wears Oberstleutnant epaulettes.	MdI VP uniform for lower ranked officers of the Strafvollzug (prison police/guards). This uniform wears Unterleutnant epaulettes.	MdI VP uniform for enlisted men of the Strafvollzug. This uniform has shoulder boards for a Meister.

NVA combat camouflage uniform(BDU) identified as FDA(Felddienstanzug). This one displayed is a 2nd model BDU, I put it together with a straight magazine holder and a curved magazine holder. Also I completed it with the canteen and the tactical rucksack.	2nd model winter BDU with fake fur collar and shapka as it is written in the regulation for the full winter combination. Half season sees the jacket without the fur collar and instead of the shapka a garrison cap.	NVA LaSK BDU for paratroopers with tactical combat vest. This is the latest version of this kind of BDU that has been produced for the paratroopers. I displayed the uniform with the PVC training helmet which was also used by motorcycle drivers of the NVA.	NVA BDU in its latest version with the new type of suspenders and accoutrements identified with the abbreviation UTV. Note how the rank is no more shown by shoulder boards but by a patch on the left sleeve. I completed the uniform with 2 magazine holders, 1 shovel, 1 bag with ABC gas mask, 1 hand grenade holder and a holster for the Makarow pistol.

One of the latest versions of the winter BDU with fake fur collar and shapka.	NVA VM Combat overall for all embarked Navy personnel. This orange suit was called Kampfbordanzug and it appears here in one of its first versions with attached hood. It was common for all ranks.	NVA VM combat overall for all embarked Navy personnel. This is one of the latest versions without any hood. It was common for all ranks.

The same navy combat overall displayed with the special navigation helmet which was used expecially on the high speed patrol boats of the Grenzbrigade Küste(Grenztruppen der DDR on sea). This helmet gives a generic head protection and also an acustical protecion from the excessive noise of the boat engines.	BDU of the first type. It was introduced in the early 1960's and kept until 1965 when the new rain pattern camo came. It is almost totally complete!	VM navy sailors winter dress uniform of a maat. It has the Schützenschnur and the Besten Abzeichen, a badge given to all those who have showed outstanding performances. Below this badge there is a classification badge of the chemical services 3rd class.	VM navy sailors winter dress uniform with woolen overcoat. The rank on the epaulettes corresponds to an Obermatrose; The uniform is decorated with an artillery Schützenschnur.

VM Grenzbrigade Küste sailors winter dress uniform with woolen overcoat. It has the rank of maat and the Schützenschnur of the Grenztruppen der DDR; note the writing Grenzbrigade Küste instead of Volksmarine on the cap band and the green cufftitle typical of the Grenztruppen der DDR.	VM navy higher ranked officer's service uniform of the Küstendienst(Coast Guard) that is to say Grenzbrigade Küste.	VM navy admiral's service uniform.The badge on the right breast side is the Soviet War School badge. On the left side there are three rows of ribbons which are from right to left in the 3rd row: Für Treue Dienste in its 4 classes. 2nd row: Für Waffenbrüderschaft in Bronze and Silver, Für Hervorragende Verdienste in Bronze and Silver. 3rd row: Für Hervorragende Verdienste in Gold, Verdienstmedaille der DDR and two Kampforden in Bronze an Silver.	NVA LaSK service uniform of a Stabsoberfähnrich of the Nachrichtendienst(Transmissions). It has the transmissions classification badge 2nd class; below it on the pocket a bronze sport badge and on the left a single row of all the four classes of the Medaille für Treue Dienste(medal for faithful services in the Army).

NVA LSK service uniform of the flying units of the Grenztruppen der DDR. This uniform has the rank of an Oberfähnrich and is decorated with a Grenztruppen classification badge 3rd class on the right side and a row of ribbons on the left. the ribbons are from left to right: medal for faithful services in the GT in Bronze and Silver, medal for good service at the frontier and at last medal for Hervorragende Verdienste in Bronze.	VP police dark gree two piece overall for the motorbikers of the Deutsche Volkspolizei, it has the rank epaulettes of a Wachtmeister	Zoll female winter service uniform of the Zoll(the East German Costums Authorities).	will be added soon! :-)