So you want to be a Russian riflemen? We would be proud to have you as a member. So you are thinking where do I start? Well, Russian WWII reenacting is one of the cheapest and easiest WWII impressions. It is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than all the other WWII impressions. It will cost you around $300-$500 to get a good impression together. Some members may even loan you equipment to get started (this largely depends on your size).
About our unit Our unit is family oriented. We have many young adults and women in our unit . Yes, women! The Russian army was the only army in WWII to allow women to FIGHT at the front (about 20% of the fighting force). Our unit is about 30% female.
We also have many young adults. We allow 16 year olds or older into our unit. If your son or daughter is younger you MUST get clearance from the commander AHEAD of time and the child MUST be accompanied by their parent at ALL times. Some events will not allow people under 16 to attend, some will, and some only if they are not carrying a weapon. This is taken on a per child / per event basis. Some young adults will be allowed and some will not (based off the child's maturity level).
Our unit consists of about 20 regular, active members. We have over 50 on our roster and many of them come to events as well. The average age is about 38 but it has a healthy mix of younger and older soldiers. About 20% are families. Bringing your family is encouraged.
Are there any dues?No. There are no dues to join the unit.
But I want to do German also.Great. We encourage multiple impressions. You can even join our sister unit (360th Cossack Volunteers / 1 Division ROA).
Email us if you are interested or have questions about this unit.
Reenacting Politics Our group does not tolerate reenacting politics. If you want to complain about rank, this unit or that unit, etc please do not join. Our goal is to have fun, and put on a great impression.
So you want to do more than one impression? We STRONGLY encourage you to portray multiple impressions. This allows you to attend many other events and have more fun with the hobby. It becomes an addiction and soon you will have more clothes, shoes, gear, etc in your closet than your spouse (no more complaining at your wife guys). Many people in our unit portray a German impression (360 Cossack / 1st Division ROA division) when they do not do Russian. Others do GI (6th Calvary) or British (6th Para). These units are also very fun and laid back and if you are interested I can put you in contact with these units. Many of these units have loaner equipment to get you started.
If you are interested please contact us at
197thGuard@Gmail.com
So where do I buy my STUFF (or SH** as your significant other will soon call it). There are three vendors I highly recommend:
- OstFront - Great for everything. This dealer as great quality products and the best customer service available in WWII reenacting.
- Trident Miltary - The best reproduction uniforms (although OstFront is a close second). I do not recommend their leather goods. I like this guy but he is bad at returning phone calls or emails. You have to bug him. I also would recommend verifying the item(s) are in stock because if it is not it can take forever to get them sent from his overseas supplier.
- Collect Russia - This company is great. He does not have a lot of reproduction items but his originals are great. He has great odds/ends. If you are small he has some post-war uniforms that are cheap.
So what do you need? - Tunic (Gymnostroika) - Either the M35 (very early war) or the M43 model will work. The most commonly wear tunic in WWII would have been the M43 and this is the model I recommend. M43 tunics requires shoulder boards. You will need the rifles (infantry) model which has the raspberry piping.
- Note: Russian uniforms come in a variety of colors. It was this way even during the war so little fuss is given to uniform colors. They will normally be mustard, green or brown in color. But black is not acceptable unless you own a tank or vehicle. This color was reserved for tank crews.
- Recommended Vendors:
- Pants (Sharovari) - The M43 model
- Pilotka cap -You will start as an enlisted man so a Pilotka is required. No officer or NCO caps/unless you are given that rank, or hold that rank in the unit.
- Purchase this item from where ever you buy your uniform from.
- Jack boots - These can be post war East Germans or your German WWII jackboots (if you do WWII German reenacting)
- Low Quarter Boots - if you do not want to wear jack boots low quarters are another option. They are more expensive though. Puttees/leggings are required if you wear low quarters. Those can be purchased from OstFront or be made easily by hand (canvas or wool). Acceptable forms of low quarters are GI rough outs (1st generation without the leggings attached), German or Russian reproduction low quarters and many WWI model boots. If it does not fall into one of these categories please contact us for approval.
- Equipment Belt - This can be a plain single roller natural colored leather belt or a canvas/leather combat belt.
- Two Ammo Pouches - Post war ammo pouches are fine. Early war are also fine but not as common and are more expensive. You can pick these up at a gun/militaria show for $5-$10. One or two usually come with the purchase of your rifle.
- Canteen. - This is ABSOLUTELY required in FL. Post war canteens are really identical and are acceptable. If you do not have a canteen, you must have something to carry water. A soldier in this unit can not take the field without water. This can be purchased at OstFront, CollectRussia, or Trident Military or EBay.
- Aluminum Spoon - An absolute must. Russian soldiers were not issued utensils from the army. They were order to bring a spoon from home when entering the military. Soldiers often shared mess kits or pots so he with the biggest spoon gets the most food. Spoons were often carried in their boots or leggings. Paul is the spoon king. If you don't have a spoon he will sell or give you one. If you lose it or are caught without your spoon bad things will happen to you ;-)
- Weapon -
- Mosin Nagant 91/30 - The Mosin Nagant 91/30 was the mainstay of the Russian army. This is what I recommend getting.
- Mosin Nagant M38 - If you are small in stature (women, younger) or have a issue carrying a longer firearm, then you may carry a M38 which was generally reserved for cavalry, rear guards or secondary troops.
- Mosin Nagant M44 -NOT ACCEPTABLE- It looks like the M38 but has the bayonet permanently attached and is not acceptable. Even though they were manufactured in 1944 they did not see much (if any) combat in WWII.
- PPSH 41 -Proper licensing required- (we will check it). This can be a fully auto, semi-auto or blank only. Please check with the unit before blanking this weapon.
- PPSH 43 -Proper licensing required-(we will check it). This can be a fully auto, semi-auto or blank only. Please check with the unit before blanking this weapon.
- SVT 38 or 40 - Please check with the unit before blanking this weapon.
- Maxim Machine Gun -Proper licensing required-(we will check it). This can be a fully auto, semi-auto or gas converted. Please check with the unit before blanking this weapon.
- Pistols - Pistols can ONLY be carried by officers, NCOs, vehicle crews or machine gun crews.
- German MG42 or MG43 -Proper licensing required-(we will check it). This can be a fully auto, semi-auto or gas converted. Please check with the unit before blanking this weapon.
- German WWII Riles (K98, GEW, G43, etc) - Are sometimes acceptable. Please check with the unit commander first.
Optional items you may want: - Ushanka -We do not wear these much in the south but when you need them you sure will wish you had one. NO post war ushankas are acceptable or reproductions
- Telogreika (padded jacket) - We do not wear these much in the south but when you need them you sure will wish you had one.
- Overcoat - Not used very often in FL but makes a great blaket or pillow at night
- Trouser Belt -Useful for keeping you pants from falling down. But after a few events Paul's cooking will expand you waist enough to properly fit into those trousers.
- OstFront Russian belt loops are REALLY small so it is hard to find a belt to fit them. These belts fit fine. If you do not have one a horse bridle or a piece of rope works great.
- Bread-bag -Not very common in WWII
- Gas Mask Bag - Great for everything but a gas mask (food, water, etc). Ost front has nice reproductions.
- Backpack (Vesh Myeshok) - Reproduction or properly convert post war models are acceptable.
- Shelter Half (Plasch Palatka) - Great for when it rains, for a blanket, ground cover, covering a beer cooler, etc. Post war models are fine as long as they have leather grommets.
- Shovel with carrier - Should be an original or reproduction carrier with an original WWI or WWII shovel.
- Mess kit or pot - Post war models or German WWII are acceptable
If you are interested please contact us at
197thGuard@Gmail.com 
