Official Name

Years Used

Used By

Known Items

Shelter Half, Scout/Sniper Oversuit (Top, Bottom, Hood, Mittens, Bag)

Notes

One of the most odd camouflages around is Yugoslavia's first domestic camouflage, Branch pattern. It consists of large branch like shapes in very striking colors (bright yellow, bright green, and bright brown). There are only two items I know of that were made from this patternn: Shelter Half and Scout/Sniper Oversuit. The latter was a true oversuit in that it could not be worn without a uniform underneath.

Extra Info

Official Name

Years Used

Used By

Known Items

Two piece Scout/Sniper Oversuit, Trigger Mittens, Bag

Notes

In the 1970s Yugoslavia adopted a sniper oversuit which collectors have named the Mountain pattern. There appears to be 5 unique colors, but great variation from the factory and even more after being worn/washed. The colors for mint pieces range from Dark Blue->Dark Green (dominant over color), Tan->Dark Yellow (base color), Brown->Red Brown (small clumps), Blue Green->Light Green (kinda everywhere), and White (color of cloth, along side of previous color). Variations can even happen with one garment, like a mint condition smock I have where the attached hood is very different from the rest of the smock. A full set comes complete with smock (attached hood w/sniper veil), overpants , over trigger mittens, and carry bag with shoulder strap. There is extensive use of ties and pressed metal buttons with the Yugoslav Army "star" painted in dark OD. Apparently some of these suits are still in use today by former Yugoslav republics (I have a picture from 2002 of Macedonians wearing them).

Extra Info

Official Name

Years Used

Used By

Known Items

Field Jacket, Shirt, Trousers, Cap

Notes

The old Yugoslavia utilized several forms of camouflage for paramilitary police forces starting in the late 1970s. It was also widely worn by Bosnian Serbs. There are three colorations I know of; Purple (above left), Green (above center), and Gray (above right).

Extra Info

Official Name

Years Used

Used By

Known Items

Winter Jacket, Field Jacket, Shirt, Trousers, Cap

Notes

Just before the breakup of the old Yugoslavia a new camouflage pattern was developed and tested in 1989 (see Slovenia for more details). From these trials a modified pattern went into full production in the form of a 4 color Puzzle type pattern with a predominant green look to it.

The various garments made in this pattern have slight to large variations in colors. I have 4 pieces in my collection and no two are identical. One is very bright, another is very dark, the other two are closer to the bright one. The type of material probably has something to do with the differences since each garment uses a different kind of cloth. However, quality control surely plays a part in the differences as well.

The uniform was also widely issued to break away Bosnian Serbs during the 1990s. It is still the current standard issue for the SMAF (Serbian-Montenegran Armed Forces).

Extra Info