Soviet Naval Uniforms 1946-1959

Naval Uniforms
During the Era of Rebuilding
(1946 - 1959)

In this section you will find the uniforms worn by the Soviet navy during the early Cold War. It was an era where the Red Navy found itself having to compete with global powers in the form of the United States and United Kingdom with a largely outdated coastal navy. Post-war reparations helped the fleet to a degree, but it was research into new technologies of nuclear power and guided missiles became more significant. Also important was the increasing time at sea that the navy undertook. The 1956 voyage to England by Nikita Khrushchiev was a landmark for this and its political dimension.

Regarding uniforms of the era, they would see two major waves of reform. The first was in 1955, while the second would take place in 1958. These did away with the old wartime uniforms for the most part though old Russian naval tradition still influenced both uniform regulations.

These uniforms of this period can be seen on the table below. The uniforms of admirals and generals are described in the upper section. Officers and michmen can be found listed in the middle of the table. Conscripts, extended service men, and cadets are shown in the bottom part of the table. Special purpose uniforms such as diving equipment, chemical protection suits, and the like can be found in the final section. At the bottom of the page is a list of source material that we have used to compile information about the uniforms.

Admirals and Generals
Officers, Michmen, and Praporchiks
Conscripts, Extended Servicemen, and Cadets
Special Purpose Uniforms
Source Material

Earlier Period Naval Uniforms
(1941-1945)

Back to
Main Uniform Index

Later Period Naval Uniforms
(1960-1978)

Naval Uniforms of the Era of Rebuilding
(1946 - 1959)

Pre-1946

1955

1958-1959


<(earlier uniforms)	Admirals and Naval Infantry Generals	(later uniforms)>
	<up>

M-1955 Admiral No. 1
Summer Parade

M-1958 Admiral No. 1
Summer Parade

M-1955 Admiral No. 3 Summer Parade

M-1958 Admiral No. 3
Summer Parade

M-1955 Admiral No. 1 Summer Each Day (in column)

M-1958 Admiral No. 3
Summer Each Day (in column)


<(earlier uniforms)	Officers, Extended Servicemen, and Praporshchiks	(later uniforms)>
	<up>

M-1958 Summer Officer
No. 1 Parade Uniform
(In column) (1)(6)

M-1958 Summer Officer
No. 1 & 2 Parade Uniform
(In column) (1)(6)

1958 No. 3 Summer Officer Uniform
(out of column ) (1)(6)

M-1958 Summer Officer
Each day Uniform
(Out of column, in dress) (1)(6)


<(earlier uniforms)	Conscripts, Sergeants, and Kursants	(later uniforms)>
	<up>

M-1940 Enlisted No. 1
Summer Uniform (1)

----->

M-1958 Enlisted No. 1
Summer Uniform (6)

M-1940 Enlisted No. 2
Summer Uniform (1)

----->

M-1958 Enlisted No. 2
Summer Uniform (6)

M-1940 Enlisted No. 3
Summer Uniform (1)

----->

M-1958 Enlisted No. 3
Summer Uniform (6)

M-1940 Enlisted No. 4
Winter Uniform (1)

----->

M-1958 Enlisted No. 4
Winter Uniform
(senior NCO's and reenlisted men) (6)

M-1958 Enlisted No. 4
Winter Uniform
(for NCO's and conscript sailors) (6)

M-1940 Enlisted No. 5
Winter Uniform (1)

----->

M-1958 Enlisted No. 5
Winter Uniform (6)

M-1958 Enlisted Work Uniform (6)


<(earlier uniforms)	Special Purpose Uniforms	(later uniforms)>
	<up>

M-1936 Waterproof Deck Suit (2)(9)(10)

----->

VR-3 'Three Bolts' Diving Suit (7)(8)

----->