The Model 1945 “Victory Parade” Dress Uniform Tunic, Belt, and Visor Cap of Marshal of the Soviet Union Semyon Timoshenko

The group is comprised of the Model 1945 “Victory Parade” full dress uniform tunic of Marshal of the Soviet Union Semyon Timoshenko, together with his matching dress visor cap and dress brocade belt. The tunic is constructed of the highest quality wool in the distinctive “Czarist Green” color of the Soviet dress uniforms. The tunic collar and cuffs display the dense gold bullion embroidery of wide oak leaves, with the shoulders having the unique rank boards of a Marshal of the Soviet Union. The tunic reflects truly exceptional tailoring, with special “hinged” pads stitched into the lining for the purpose of covering the screw posts of four of Timoshenko’s screw back decorations, these being his three First Class Orders of Suvorov (which were worn vertically down the right side of the tunic) and his Hero of the Soviet Union star, worn on the top front of the left shoulder. In addition to these decorations, Timoshenko was the recipient of decorations which included five Orders of Lenin and five Orders of the Red Banner. Beyond this, Timoshenko was one of only 17 Soviet and foreign World War II leaders to receive the Order of Victory, a breast star decoration constructed of platinum, gold, diamonds and rubies. Interestingly, the interior of the tunic does not have an internal protective pad for the screw post of the Order of Victory as it does for Timoshenko’s other screw back decorations. However, Timoshenko’s Order of Victory was awarded on June 4, 1945. His uniform had undoubtedly been completely tailored well before that date, since the Moscow Victory Parade took place only three weeks later, on June 24, 1945. Beyond this, on the upper left breast are loops to hold the pins of two medal bars, one a rather long bar on top and the other being about half its length, worn below. These loops correspond exactly to period photographs of the medal bars worn by Timoshenko on his Victory Parade uniform. All of the buttons on the tunic are gilt and they display the state seal of the Soviet Unions with 11 “ribbons” in the design, this being the pattern of the state seal that was in use from 1936 to 1946. The tunic is accompanied by Timoshenko’s brocade dress belt with hangers for a sword or a dress dagger. The brocade belt is, like the tunic, of the highest quality, with the belt being fully lined in supple leather and with the oval buckle again displaying the 11 ribbon state seal of the Soviet Union. Also with the tunic is Marshal Timoshenko’s visor cap for the Victory Parade dress uniform. The cap shows age and signs of wear, but it reflects the same quality of materials, construction, and embroidery that are evident in the tunic. The front displays the two piece enamel star used by only the most senior officers, flanked by heavy and detailed gold bullion embroidery which, like the gold bullion embroidery and brocade of the tunic and belt, exhibits a splendid and even age patina. The gold bullion cap cord across the visor is retained by state seal buttons which match the seal of the tunic buttons. The full leather sweatband is present inside of the cap, and the interior lining, while reflecting that the cap was worn, is complete and intact. Accompanying the uniform set is a binder of research on Marshal Timoshenko which includes several portrait photographs, 8 inches by 10 inches in size, which show Timoshenko wearing this uniform with his medals and decorations.  Overall the uniform tunic, belt, and cap comprise a set of the highest historic importance and of equally high quality in terms of both its aesthetic standards and its standards of workmanship and tailoring. The set reflects the rare opportunity to acquire one of the most impressive of all military uniforms of the modern era, and one which was worn by a senior military commander who was held in very high regard both within his own country and by his military allies.

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