Drill Tunics

[Mike G.]

Third and final Pic:

This one gives a bit of a closeup of the Grenzpolizei Schutzenschnur.

[torstenbel]

I have not seen this Schuetzenschnur before...well, you never learn out... Cheers, Torsten.

Third and final Pic:

This one gives a bit of a closeup of the Grenzpolizei Schutzenschnur.

[David H]

Very nice uniform Mike, I'm jealous of that one...not sure about wearing a schuetzenschnur on a drill uniform though, but hey.. it looks great!

NB. nice green flecked cord interesting to see green backing behind the rifles, time for a schuetzenschnur thread me thinks....

[Mike G.]

Hi David,

If anyone has the old type Schuetzenschnurs in the quantity and variety to enable a thread to be done on them, it would be you.

I'm not sure about the Schuetzenschur being okay on that Drillich Tunic as well, but I had both, and decided what better time than the present to bring them together.

I've no idea what a Grenzpolizei dark collar Dienst or Parade Tunic would look like? Regardless, I don't have one.

[Rev462]

In the discussion about the authenticity of the FJ drillich tunic, here is something to consider.

While this tunic does indeed pre-date the creation of the orange Waffenfarbe for the FJ, that doesn't necessarily mean that the FJ's wouldn't have used them. After all, if a unit needs drillichs, they go to the quartermaster and pull out whatever is in stock. Nobody's going to say, "Hey, this tunic is from 1959! We can't use it!".

I have also seen other examples of similar situations. For example, I have a dark collar Grenz officer service tunic, marked "DDRI" and dated 1957. The tunic, shoulderboards and 30mm collar tabs have been around the block several times. Now obviously 1957 pre-dates the creation of the Grenztruppen - yet I have no doubts about the authenticity of this tunic. In a nutshell, the NVA used "old stuff" when it surfaced.


Also, think about the insignia on the tunic. Those FJ collar tabs and shoulderboards are not exactly readily available for any nimrod to get hold of and slap onto a tunic. That insignia is extremely rare and, of course, very expensive. I really doubt that it would be worthwhile for a crooked dealer to shell out the money to buy that insignia - it would cost nearly as much for the insignia as it would for the whole tunic. Remember, profit is what motivates the crooks.

OK, so maybe some crooked dealer finds them at a flea market and gets them really cheap. Not very likely, but a possibility.

Drillich tunics are not as well known or as popular as dark collar tunics, so I suspect that, if you're putting together a tunic to sell at a nice profit, you're going to put that insignia on a dark collar tunic. And dark collar tunics are more readily available to be "cannibalized" than drillichs.

While anything is possible, I think it makes more sense that the tunic is authentic rather than being a "put together".

[Mike G.]

RE: Fallschirmjager Drillich

Not to "Beat-a-dead-horse-to-death".

Members are quite in their right to question posts and articles that appear on the forum.

I think what was not apparent in the photos posted, is that this garment (Jacket and Pants) appear to have never been laundered - ever. Both the trousers and the Jacket are heavily soiled, not only with dirt, but also oil and even tar. But most profound of all, is the presence of small flecks of paint, particularly on the right side of the jacket.

This paint isn't Infantry White.
It isn't Crimson Artillery.
It isn't Panzer Pink.
It isn't Rear Services Green.
It isn't Pioneer Black.
And it isn't my personal favorite Signals Yellow. (Wish it and the insignia were).

It is Fallschirmjager Orange.

I believe the presence of these small flecks of orange paint actually add "Providence" to the authenticity of this garment as being genuine.

Obviously, the original wearer of the garment at some point in time, was assigned to a painting detail. Regardless of what was being painted, the color cannot be ignored. It defies coincidence that the garment has 60s era Fallschirmajer Collar Insignia and Shoulder Boards, and also happens to have flecks of Fallschirmjager Orange color paint on it.

My observation.

See attached:

[iannima]

Sorry Michael,

I accept all other arguments about the preciousness of the insignia, but that paint to me looks like Red Oxide or some kind of primer which is often Orangy in colour which, to me, sounds more likely. I think one can read too much into things.

[Mike G.]

Matteo,

Really, no need to be "Sorry". The thoughts, concerns and opinions you've expressed about this (Fallschirmjager) Drillich ensemble are of course, as always, both welcomed and respected; as would be that of anyone else having an opinion, good or bad. One can only hope perhaps as inferred earlier, someone serving in the FJ between 62 and 66 might have relevant input.

That aside, its important to understand I'm of course not looking at pictures. I can actually touch and handle the garment, and can therefore say with certaintly the orange coloration is neither primer nor oxide. It is paint. And because it is paint, there is little hope of removing it from the Jacket.
It's there; what it means is anyone's guess? I presume the NVA was no different from any other countries' army - and painted all sorts of things, all sorts of colors. I know I did my share of painting in the US Army. In fact, the 7 years I was in combat arms, it seemed every time I turned around, I had a brush in my hand for one reason or another.


I think it best to move on however, in the hopes that more members having these type uniforms will post examples and add to what was hoped to be a very informative, and fun thread.

So if you have them, please post them.

[azertyNVA]

Mickael,

Could you please post detailed pictures of your drill trousers, because I want to buy anyone, but I've never see how it is. Pictures of this trousers and marks will be welcome ;-)

Hans.

[Mike G.]

Mickael,

Could you please post detailed pictures of your drill trousers, because I want to buy anyone, but I've never see how it is. Pictures of this trousers and marks will be welcome ;-)

Hans.

Hi azertNVA,

First, finding pants/trousers from the 50s and 60s era is very difficult. Unlike the Tunics and Jackets, the pants didn't fare as well. I presume this is because the bottoms wore out from being sat on.

Second, you didn't say which pair of pants you were interested in seeing more pictures of. So since there were only two to start with, and they are very different from each other, I thought I'd post them both. Hope this helps:

FJ Drillich Pants:

[Mike G.]

FJ Drillich Pants Closeup of Nomenclature:

[Mike G.]

Grenzpolizei Drillich Pants:

[Mike G.]

Grenzpolizei Drillich Pants Closeup of Nomenclature:

Note: They are marked MdI, and dated 1961. The matching jacket is dated 59. As stated before, pants wore out before the jackets.

[azertyNVA]

thanks a lot for your pictures Mickael :-)

[Mikhealc]

Drillich fotos

Here are some pics from my collection. Sorry I am so late posting.