Why did the Soviet officers armed the pistol on the right on the belt, and the German on the left?
Why did the Soviet officers armed the pistol on the right on the belt, and the German on the left?

Video: Why did the Soviet officers armed the pistol on the right on the belt, and the German on the left?

Video: Why did the Soviet officers armed the pistol on the right on the belt, and the German on the left?
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German and Soviet officers differed not only in the color of their uniforms and headdresses. The equipment of the commanders of the two armies had many small and very interesting differences. One of these is the choice of the side of the belt for carrying the pistol holster. So, the Wehrmacht officers held it to the left, while the Red Army officers preferred to carry a pistol under their right hand.

Soviet officers had a holster on the right
Soviet officers had a holster on the right

Ever paid attention to how the soldiers of the Soviet army were equipped during the Second World War, and how German soldiers were equipped? It's not about the difference in uniform or weapons at all, but about how the officers wore a pistol holster. The Germans wore it on the left side, while the Soviet officers on the right. What is the essence of this difference?

So also more handy
So also more handy

On the Internet on this topic, users have broken many copies in disputes. There is a huge number of "unofficial" versions of why the Germans carried pistols on the left, and the Soviet ones - on the right. Most often, users write about usability. It is much more likely that the location of the holster was determined "by accident." This is what the "official" version, which is adhered to by the majority of weapons experts and historians, also speaks about this.

The Germans wore on the left
The Germans wore on the left

To explain it very briefly, it happened historically. In more detail, in Russia the place of a holster on an officer's outfit was determined by cavalry traditions, back in the days of the Russian Empire. Holstered pistols became widely used by officers only in the 19th century. At the same time, each officer had a cavalry saber. It was decided to move it to the left side, and for convenience they began to hang the pistol on the right side.

Cavalry traditions are to blame
Cavalry traditions are to blame

In Germany, the place of the holster was also determined by the cavalry tradition, however, they did not move the edged weapons there, simply hanging the pistol on the left side of the belt. However, in the conditions of a real war, all this was not very important, since the majority of military officers, contrary to the regulations and in the name of common sense, carried a pistol as it was more convenient. When it was necessary to go into battle, the pistol was attached at all under the working hand - right or left, depending on the person and regardless of the army.

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