M10's and M15's

[Chris Boonzaier]

How much more desirable is an M15 jacket over a M10? and what would a fair price for either of them be in really nice cindition?

Thanks
Chris

[Shenkursk]

Chris:

That is more a matter of personal preference or display needs. If you are doing a 1914-1915 display, you want a M1910 tunic. The M1910 is good throughout the war, also. Period photographs show men in the same unit wearing both styles of tunic side-by-side. Some people prefer the M1915 because it has more of the appearance of a more practical tunic for front-line service. I love them both!

The market has gone a bit 'nuts' on these lately. Plan on spending anywhere between $2,000 and $3,000 for either one. (!) With the Dollar still down against the Euro, finding one here in the USA is your best bet.

Also - goes without saying but I will say it anyway: use extreme caution buying field gray material on eBay. The jackets are hard to fake in a convincing manner because they were originally very complicated, well-made items (especially the M1910.) Fake trousers have been coming out of Europe through ebay and other channels, and are VERY well done. Tunics of that quality will likely not be far behind.

[Chris Boonzaier]

Any tips on where I could find a good one in the states?

Thanks
Chris

[Chip M]

Field Gray Uniforms

Chris,

As Jeff says, desirability is a matter of personal taste, but in practical terms (and I am talking about issue pieces) an M07/10 is about as rare as you can get, especially an infantry piece. In 1913 it was replaced by the "Feldrock nach Landsturmschnitt", which was just a looser fitting version of the M07/10. Most of the exposed button issue tunics you see are actually the "Vereinfachter Feldrock M1915", simplified versions of the M07/10 and they are equally rare, but somewhat more plentiful. I would think that most field gray collectors would much rather have an M07/10 or even a simplified 1915 tunic over a Bluse.

My guess is that the difference in price between an issue version of the button front tunics and a Bluse in comparible condition would be about $1,000, with the earlier tunic being the higher priced.

Good luck getting an issue tunic these days. Most change hands between collectors and never see the open market. Private purchase pieces, both enlisted and officer are more likely to be found.

One source you might try is Regimentals in England. It has been some years ago that Malcolm bought Marshall Daut's collection of over 200 field gray uniforms, but I understand that just a fraction of them have been sold off. He must be sitting on the rest and if the known sold pieces are any indication, you better have several first born children to bargain with.

Chip

[Daniel Murphy]

Chris,
Also try Great War Militaria. he has a couple for sale now and then and I have gotten several from him over the last 15 years. They will not be cheap, but quality never is. I did get a nice issue 07/10 on ebay last year ,of all places. It is marked to the 11th company of IR 164 and is dated 1909. Originally owned by Arnold Ferdinand Wilhelm Friedrich Heeren, I went on to get his officers spiked helmet with the Waterloo bandeau in mint condition in the custom case, his prussian officer's brocade belt, his enlisted belt from his time as a fahnrich, and some shoulderboards. The seller had known his grandson from college in England and became good friends. He was given the uniform by the vet himselfand acquired the other items from the family after the vet passed. I have a lot of info on him from the regimental history and from his military records . I hope you find a nice one too.

Daniel Murphy

[Tony & Kaiser]

Also try Great War Militaria.

Yes, especially if you like 1920s tunics that have been re-converted back to wartime, replaced parts, added insignia, and have an affinity for replaced green collars. I wouldn't touch a button from those two.