1950s BGS Summer Jacket

[Klaus1989]

After long search, I have finally found a 1950s BGS summer tunic, so thought to share here, as this is very rare (take several years to find one). Officially, so far that I can find, this was officially called a "Sommerrock" and was a type of field/service uniform for summer wear (lightweight summer Dienstrock was introduced first in 1960s). One veteran account say that soldiers called it a moleskin after the material, which resemble the later Bw moleskin uniforms.

Introduction appear to be around 1953/54 with Dienstrock. They were phased out 1957/58 with introduction of camouflage field uniforms. Also appear to be worn on some exercises along with 2-pocket work uniform.

The jacket is 4-pocket. I am not sure, if the Meister shoulderboards are original to tunic, but are correct early model. Collar tabs never worn with this jacket (there was 1960s/70s pair attached incorrectly, but I removed them).



Jacket is unlined. Two sets of belt hook holes and straps for them, like on earlier Dienströcke.

[Klaus1989]

Like WH summer tunics, all buttons are removable and concealed under flaps (except shoulderboard buttons). They use rings instead of s-hooks.


Another WW2 similarity is the maker stamp. For BGS, I have only seen this type stamp in greatcoats before. Maker is BEFA-HBG (BEFA Hamburg?). It is very small size, even too small for me (I wear Euro 44/46)!


The eagle is of type, that I have never seen before, but would be strange to fake. The backing is woven, almost like moleskin. I have seen photos of this uniform, where patches appear same colour as uniform. It appear lightly worn and frayed, which would match jacket condition.


Will add some period photos of this uniform in wear later. Opinions about the insignia welcome!

Regards
Klaus

[Klaus1989]

Ok, here are some photos of this type jacket. There are many good closeups on the "Beim alten BGS" website, but will not let me link them here, as they are copyrighted images.

Here is image of this jacket without shoulderboards or eagle, which appear in many photos. The rank and eagle were added late and apparently not universally. Because of equipment, I would date this photo to around 1957.



This photo is enlargement of undated 1950s press photo from my collection, that show return to barracks after field exercise. The MG-Schützen in front and the men in rear wear this type jacket, possibly mixture of ones with shoulderboards/no eagle, with both and without any insignia. The others in middle wear 2-pocket work uniform (still search for one).


Regards
Klaus

[Gordon Craig]

Klaus,

Very interesting uniform and photos. Thanks for posting them.

Regards,

Gordon

[Klaus1989]

Would you recommend to leave the shoulderboards? I had originally planned to replace with Grenzober- or -hauptjäger rank, because I thought from photo that they were not period, but in hand, they appear to be early Meister boards, so now maybe better to leave on? One is in very bad condition and need to glue together again, but not sure what type glue, that I should use.

Authenticity of eagle is unknown, but I will leave it, unless I receive absolute proof, that it is fake.

Regards
Klaus

[Collectinsteve]

An excellent addition to your already impressive collection! Congrats.

I would leave it "as is" until you are absolutely sure what to do with it. Remember that the BGS has a history, as does most uniformed organizations, of retrofitting older uniforms to make them conform to newer regulations. Especially when regulations have a history of changing every few years (as was the case with BGS in the 1950s). I see this all the time and of course I think we can all cite a few examples from just BGS or BW within the same time period.

The best example of this are the BGS Sumpftarn 3rd Model jackets manufactured from 1967 through 1975. Almost every single jacket seen on the market has (or had) both the arc and the shield badges sewn onto the arm pocket. Including jackets clearly manufactured in the 1960s. Yet evidence suggests that the arc wasn't added until 1972. Obviously this can not be explained by collectors incorrectly adding arcs to earlier jackets. Therefore, removing the arc removes historical value, not improves it.

It's a tricky thing, especially when there is so little documentation. Best to leave things alone for a while and assume, for now, it is correctly badged. As you point out, the badge is unique and unlikely to be anything other than original BGS AND designed for this jacket specifically. In my opinion you reduce the historical and collector value by removing the badge. And for now I'd say the same about the rank.

What you need to do is find several unrelated pictures of this type of jacket with the badge. If none of them show rank, MAYBE the rank is incorrect. If they show rank, then it probably is correct.

You have the advantage of being able to wait. I suggest you wait

Steve

[Klaus1989]

Steve, thanks for your opinions about the insignia. I will leave as is. I not realize how complex the insignia for these was, until more research recently. It appear that regulations were not followed very well for some reason. This type jacket was worn with rank and eagle (after 1956?), so this should be correct. The rank was worn - you can see it in more photos on the "Beim alten BGS" website. Here a few links of both shoulderboards and eagle in wear:

http://www.beim-alten-bgs.de/Zu_den_...der_range.html

http://www.beim-alten-bgs.de/Zu_den_...6/7__gsg6.html (in middle of page)

And here with eagle and no shoulderboards (all combinations seem to have existed - also see shoulderboards and no eagle or neither, maybe dependent on unit?)! It appear from photos, that there is a field cap to go with this (light material like jacket, no flaps or piping). Now only to find one (and the trousers)...

http://www.beim-alten-bgs.de/Zu_den_...usbildung.html

Photos of Meister ranks in the field unfortunately seem hard to find. Would like to repair the rank boards, because top embroidery come off from backing completely on one. The removed collar tabs that I mention earlier were obviously wrong - no photos show them, jacket phased out around time of their introduction and they were later type and attached completely wrong.

Regards
Klaus

[Klaus1989]

Here is colour photo (mittle of page with Entfernungsmesser) that appear to show patches as same colour as jacket. A colour photo of the Arbeitsjacke at bottom appear to have same type patch as Sommerrock.

http://www.bgs13-coburg1959.de/Kapp/...usbildung.html

[Collectinsteve]

Great batch of pictures! Lots of great things to see on this page:

http://www.beim-alten-bgs.de/Zu_den_...nge.html<br />

Arbeitsanzug and the leather AFV crew uniform are seen on that page.

Steve

[Gordon Craig]

Klaus,

I am with Steve. I never change anything I get on a uniform like this one with so little knowledge available to us on what was and was not worn. Too many times I've seen collectors remove shoulder boards because they said "It was never worn that way" to find out later that the uniform was correct until they damaged it by removing the shoulder boards.
Great pictures by the way.

Regards,

Gordon

[Klaus1989]

No worries, the jacket will stay as is and I will not change the rank. I am not sure if clear from photos, but the shoulderboards are removable type with loops and not sew in.

Any advice how to repair them? As mentioned, one seperates from its backing because glue has weakened.

Regards
Klaus

[Gordon Craig]

Klaus,

Sorry, I meant to answer that in my last email. Fabric stores sell "fabric adhesive". At least that is what it says on the can my wife has in her sewing room. I would suggest that you try and get some from a local fabric store. When used, it is not supposed to come through the material being glued. I'd check with the sales clerk in the store to get what might serve your needs the best.

Regards,

Gordon

[Klaus1989]

Thanks for the tipp, Gordon. I have some fabric adhesive, so will try that. If it not strong enough, I will see what I find. I think, that come through material will not be problem, as top layer is very thick.

Regards
Klaus

[Nachrichten]

O.K.

Anyone ever seen these before:-

[chiffonnier]

Nachrichten; is this one ?
The neck label is unreadable due to washing.