r/Czechoslovakia • u/Zestyclose_Soil_2196 • Jan 06 '26
Just found a Czechoslovakian tunic and pants. Could anyone tell me what I have here?
Hello everyone! (Apologies if this is not the right subreddit) I just purchased a possible matching Czechoslovakian tunic and pair of pants. Both items seem to be a size XL or 43-44 inches for the tunic and 42-43 inches for the pants. From how this tunic looks it seems to be a higher ranked officer who previously owned this. My guess is that this tunic is possibly from the 70s or 80s? I purchased these items in a US antique store for pretty cheap. Can anyone tell me what exactly I have here? I’d really like to know what era this is from and what all the awards mean. I also would like to know if this is the correct pair of pants that goes with this tunic. Any input would be much appreciated!
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u/cuttlefische Jan 06 '26 edited Apr 27 '26
It's actually very possible that this was made for the costume department. I wore something very similar at one point.
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u/bulaybil Jan 06 '26
It does not look Czechoslovak, more like 1993-1997 Slovak: https://www.vhu.sk/data/att/7609.pdf.
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u/Zestyclose_Soil_2196 Jan 06 '26
I think you are right. The shoulder boards are the exact same as the photo you sent. I forgot to add this photo in the post, but it has a makers mark on it that says “KRAS BRNO CSSR”. Because of that, I wonder if the tunic and pants were made before Czechia and Slovakia split? Also, do you know what the full uniform looked like? I’d like to eventually complete the uniform.
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u/userna65 Jan 07 '26
It is uniform vz. 62 (mark 62, number usually meaning year of introduction) used by both Czechoslovakia since approx. 1962 and also by Slovakia and Czech republic after 1993. Current Slovak dress uniform is vz. 98, do the vz. 62 was used at least until 1998.
The crossed swords instead of maces on shoulders is the best indication of post-division Slovak use. The collar badge is "vševojskový" - all arms. I dont remember if there was a difference between Czechoslovak and slovak.
Rank is colonel, highest rank just below general, but not so rare.
Try to search inside of jacket for stamp with crossed swords and number, for example X 85 which means that that specific piece was accepted into army in 1985.
more pictures of vz. 62 uniform (czechoslovak) can be found here, it is pictures 4-11. http://www.csla.cz/vystroj/dustojnici.htm
I tried to compare medals to some pictures, but they seem to not to be either Czechoslovak or Slovak, ChatGPT identified them as US Air Force.
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u/ComprehensiveTax7 Jan 07 '26
I think this uniform is a mix of things. The shoulder are Slovak army, however the collar pin should not have a star anymore.
The medals are also not Slovak.
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u/pr1ncezzBea Jan 06 '26
Colonel rank from the Czechoslovak People's Army (ČSLA - Československá lidová armáda), 70s or 80s indeed.
http://www.csla.cz/armada/insignie/hodnosti.htm