Soviet wartime farb

This page lists common farb mistakes, often including the use of post war items for wartime presentations.

When buying items, do your own research. Too many sellers label items as wartime out of ignorance or intentionally to scam buyers. Be careful with online stores based around selling Soviet or Russian gear. The Russians know that slavaboos can't distinguish proper gear and market low quality and farb products to them.

Major farb

Everything listed here will have a major detriment on your impression and should be avoided. I strongly encourage cosplayers anyone buying a casual costume and paintball and airsoft players to follow the advice listed here. All public presentations of historical uniforms contribute to the public perception of what the soldiers actually looked like. Even though some cosplayers might not be able to afford the proper gear, it would be better to leave it out rather then get the wrong item. If you need to cut corners, it's best to do it in places that aren't immediately obvious.

There are post-Soviet countries that violate the rules of this list when creating celebratory costumes. Modern costumes even in former Soviet countries should not be taken as reliable sources.

Greatcoats

Postwar greatcoats are easily available and relatively inexpensive compared to their proper wartime counterparts. The color and design of postwar greatcoats is wrong and most units will not accept them.

Examples of wartime greatcoats

Postwar belts

Postwar belts are often depicted in video games and World War II costumes in post-Soviet countries because they're easily available and easily identifiable as "Soviet."

Blue pants and skirts

Blue pants and skirts were worn by officers and have a popular association with the NKVD, which has its own farb lore. They were usually not worn in combat.

Minor farb

Depending on the circumstances, this could be major farb. For example, if you're setup and interacting with the public, details are more important and things that might get by at a distance will be more important.

Foreign made weapons

Certain Soviet made weapons such as the Mosin Nagant are actually cheaper then rarer foreign produced guns. Many of these guns were produced after WWII. If the public will be viewing your weapon close up, then it should be Soviet produced.

There are some exceptions such as modern production weapons that are much more readily available.