1922 Soviet Summer Grey Uniform

[GARS1900]

From the Osprey on the Red Army in Russian Civil War, it seems that the Soviets replaced khaki with dark and light grey uniforms for winter and summer, respectively. I wondered if this was a typo, but one of the plates shows a Red Army sergeant wearing the light grey summer uniform. How widespread was this uniform, or was it ever even really a thing? The Red Army doesn’t seem to have kept grey cotton in subsequent uniforms, with a few exceptions. I like the look, but it just seems kinda random to me.

[cuprum]

Such a uniform existed. But since this sample was in use for only two years, it is unlikely that many such uniforms were made. Moreover, part of the uniform of such a sample was sewn from a previously released yellow-green-gray fabric (like khaki). In addition, for some time the military units continued to wear the uniform of the previous model, with new insignia, since the deadlines for wearing the old things had not yet expired.
So the gray uniform did exist, but was most likely a vanishing rarity.



Officer's shirt arr. 1922, sewn from khaki fabric.

[GARS1900]

Interesting, cuprum! I thought you might know the answer.. So, it was essentially a failed experiment. I wonder why they even tried light grey; surely it wouldn’t easier to dye than khaki?

[cuprum]

I do not know this. The country was then in complete ruin - there was a huge drawback in everything. Perhaps this is the reason. It can be assumed that the gray dye was more available at that moment... But this is just a version.

One interesting story on a similar occasion. During the Civil War, Soviet troops in Central Asia were cut off from Soviet Russia and existed in a hostile environment. There were problems with any supply, including problems with uniforms. There was not enough fabric to sew it. But this is a pastoral region and there were many leathers available. And then the uniform began to be sewn from the skins of animals. But the paint of suitable colors for coloring the skin soon ran out. And, according to one of the sources, dye was used to dye wool for carpets, which was in abundance. The troops received leather uniforms of the strangest colors - crimson, canary, blue, bright green, etc.
Unfortunately, it is not known how widespread such a uniform was, but its mention is occasionally found.

[GARS1900]

I can see that. I imagine Russia after almost ten years of grinding war would have been a very ruined place.