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Soviet Russian belt and buckle used by People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan ?

Featured Replies

#1

I was told this belt and buckle was used by the PDPA during the Soviet-Afghan War.

Does the writing give any clue as to the age of the belt?

Thank you.

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  • 9 months later...
#2
On 5/3/2021 at 2:14 AM, Boy Howdy said:

I was told this belt and buckle was used by the PDPA during the Soviet-Afghan War.

Does the writing give any clue as to the age of the belt?

Thank you.

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Manufactured at the Kuybyshev Factory in Minsk, Belarussian Soviet Socialist Republic (BSSR).
Size: "2"
Cost: 1 ruble 50 kopeck.
Year of manufacture: 1982

So yeah, it was manufactured during the Afghanistan War. Whether or not it was in Indian country -- who knows?

  • Author
#3

Thanks again for your input...

#4

These blank buckle belts were standard export belt supplied to a number of countries right?

  • Author
#5

That's seems to be the common thought.

Even the NVA had them...

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  • 2 weeks later...
#6
On 3/1/2022 at 3:24 AM, Boy Howdy said:

That's seems to be the common thought.

Even the NVA had them...

post-1506-0-19653100-1540683316_thumb.jpg

The PAVN ones I have seen were a different "leather" material and didnt have any kind of ink stamp, which is actually why I was asking about this one because it's a bit different. 

  • Author
#7
On 3/1/2022 at 4:09 AM, Cap Camouflage Pattern I said:

These blank buckle belts were standard export belt supplied to a number of countries right?

I believe they were.

I have seen them used by the communist backed combatants during the South African Bush War.

 

I have this steel version that came out of Communist Yugoslavia....reminds me of the Cuban buckles from the 70's & 80's

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#8

As has been said, Soviet export buckle that was issued with the Soviet export uniform and boonie.  I have one that was captured in Angola back in the 70s/80s.  

 

  Pretty uncommon piece and thanks for sharing.

 

As to age, these were seen in use in various Marxist countries in the 70s and 80s.

  • Author
#9

Thanks for the input Nkomo.

Time period is good to know.

  • 4 weeks later...
#10

For future use I believe the date was arrived at through the 2 digit number with Cyrillic year marking “r” after it found under the triangle OTK inspection stamp on the far left. 

  • 2 years later...
  • Author
#11
On 3/11/2022 at 11:28 PM, Cap Camouflage Pattern I said:

The PAVN ones I have seen were a different "leather" material and didnt have any kind of ink stamp, which is actually why I was asking about this one because it's a bit different. 

Is this the type you saw the PAVN using? Rubberized canvas dark brown belt with no markings?

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  • 3 weeks later...
#12
On 1/26/2025 at 3:11 PM, Boy Howdy said:

Is this the type you saw the PAVN using? Rubberized canvas dark brown belt with no markings?

No, I now think it might have been the same as the one in the original photo, just worn down. Also I have seen some that appear to be solid leather. 

  • Author
#13

Great to know. Thank you C.C.P. 1

  • Author
#14

Here are some pictures of plain buckle being worn by mostly Russians but also Afgan Sarboz and African Communist.

 

top to bottom

Cuba late 80's, Vietnam 90-91, Cuba 86-88, Afrika, Russian tankers

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more photos

 

Soviet summer camp 1989, Afghanistan 1980's?, Cuba 1987, Afghan Communist 1980's?

 

All of these photos were found on forum.www2.ru

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