Yugoslavia year 1981 WWII Partisan Weapons stamps set MNH
In 1981, Yugoslavia issued a fascinating set of four stamps titled “Museum Exhibits – Partisan Weapons.” This set is highly regarded by military history buffs because it focuses on the improvised and modified weaponry used by the Yugoslav Partisans during World War II, rather than standard factory-issue arms.
The 1981 “Partisan Weapons” Stamp Set
These stamps depict weapons that were often handcrafted in clandestine workshops (Partizanske radionice) or salvaged and adapted for guerrilla warfare.
| Face Value | Weapon Depicted | Description / Context |
| 4.90 Din | Partisan Mortar | A 45mm mortar designed and built in Partisan workshops, used for light mobile support. |
| 6.00 Din | Hand Grenade | A “Partisanka” grenade, often made from pipes or cast iron in local foundries. |
| 10.00 Din | Partisan Rifle | Likely a modified Mauser or a rifle repaired using scavenged parts. |
| 13.00 Din | Anti-Tank Gun | A small-caliber improvised gun, sometimes referred to as a “Partop” (Partisan Cannon). |
Philatelic Details
- Date of Issue: July 7, 1981 (To coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Uprising in Serbia).
- Designer: Andreja Milenković (the same artist behind the 1978 Air Force set).
- Catalog Numbers:
- Michel: YU 1891–1894
- Scott: YU 1522–1525
- Format: Printed in sheets of 25 stamps.
Historical Significance
During WWII, Yugoslavia was one of the few occupied territories that successfully manufactured its own heavy weaponry behind enemy lines. The weapons shown on these stamps were modeled after actual artifacts housed in the Military Museum in Belgrade (Vojni muzej). They symbolize the ingenuity of the resistance movement, which started with virtually no equipment and ended the war as a fully organized army.
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