What a Soviet commissar was
A commissar was a political officer in the Soviet armed forces. Commissars were attached to units and commands to oversee political work, morale and loyalty, and they shared responsibility for military decisions with the commander. The post dates from the Civil War period, when political commissars were appointed to Red Army units.
The role changed during the Second World War. In 1940, political officers’ ranks were brought into line with ordinary military ranks. In October 1942, the commissar posts were abolished in the Red Army, and political work passed to deputy commanders for political affairs. Sources give these reform dates in slightly different ways, so check them against a reliable reference before relying on a specific date.
How the political officer role changed in the war
Three things changed over the war, and each one matters for collectors:
- Ranks. Political rank titles were replaced with ordinary military ranks in 1940.
- Insignia. The badges that marked political officers changed over time, so an item can be correct for one year and wrong for another.
- Chain of command. Shared command ended in 1942, when political officers became deputies to unit commanders.
What commissar uniforms looked like
There was no separate commissar uniform with a different cut. Political officers wore the uniform of their rank group, and their distinction lay mainly in insignia and position. That insignia changed over time, so dating it matters more than the label.
Collectors should not assume that any officer’s tunic with a red star, red trim or political badge is a commissar’s. Many items sold under the commissar name are standard officer uniforms with later-added insignia, or are reproductions.
What Soviet soldiers wore in WWII
Most soldiers, including political officers, wore the same basic kit: the gymnastyorka tunic, breeches or trousers, boots or footwraps, a greatcoat, and a pilotka or helmet depending on the situation. For a full overview, see Soviet WWII uniforms and insignia.
Claims and red flags when buying
- A label that says “commissar” with no supporting document, unit history or dated photograph.
- Insignia that do not fit the period. For example, shoulder boards fitted to a tunic whose cut or collar belongs to the pre-1943 period.
- Mixed insignia that suggests the piece was assembled from several sources.
- High prices for an item described only by its label.
What to check and how to document an item
- Compare the insignia and cut with dated wartime photographs and museum examples.
- Check whether the insignia is attached in a way that fits the period.
- Ask for provenance. A written history from the seller, with names or units, is more useful than a label.
- Keep photographs of the front, back, collar, lining and any labels, so the item can be compared later.
If the piece has medals or orders, check them separately using Soviet WWII medals: how to identify them.
Does Russia still have a Red Army?
No. The Red Army was renamed the Soviet Army in February 1946. The Soviet Union was dissolved in December 1991, and its armed forces passed to the successor states. Russia’s army is now called the Russian Armed Forces. For uniforms after 1945, see Soviet Army uniforms of the Cold War.