EAST GERMAN GREY EM COLLAR TABS NEW

Original East German Army (NVA) enlisted men's collar tabs (Kragenspiegel) — a genuine surplus uniform component sourced from former GDR military stocks. Issued in matched pairs and offered here in unworn, new old-stock condition, these tabs are a staple piece for collectors of Cold War militaria, reenactors portraying NVA units, costume and film wardrobe departments, and surplus shoppers who appreciate the unmistakable look of East Bloc field uniforms.

Each tab features a grey linen backing edged in dark piping, with a pair of woven "Doppellitze" (double-braid) bars produced in the BeVo-style flat-weave technique using aluminium thread. The white Waffenfarbe (branch-of-service color) field identifies the wearer as belonging to the Air Defense / Luftstreitkräfte-Luftverteidigung (LSK/LV) branch of the NVA, making these especially desirable for collectors building branch-specific groupings.

Key Details

• Origin: Authentic East German (NVA) military surplus
• Rank level: Enlisted men (EM / Mannschaften)
• Branch: Air Defense — identified by white Waffenfarbe
• Backing: Grey linen with dark piped edges
• Insignia: BeVo-style woven Doppellitze in aluminium thread
• Condition: New, unissued — sold as a matched pair

Why It Sells

Cold War and East German militaria remain one of the strongest evergreen niches in the surplus market. These collar tabs are an affordable, easy-to-display item that pairs naturally with NVA tunics, shoulder boards, visor caps, and field gear already on your shelves. They appeal to seasoned collectors completing uniforms, reenactors kitting out impressions, and walk-in customers drawn to authentic, hard-to-find Eastern Bloc pieces. Compact and lightweight, they're a high-margin add-on that ships easily and merchandises well in glass cases, peg displays, or alongside larger uniform items.