Volksstrum Tunic

[Howard Kelley]

Just found this tunic this past weekend.

It's a 1937 date parade tunic converted for Volkssturm service.

Enjoy,
Howard

[Howard Kelley]

Ink stamp marking to interior.

[Howard Kelley]

Reverse of collar.

Clearly shows where the old tabs were removed.

[Howard Kelley]

VolksSturm armband is tacked on in several areas around the sleeve.

There is also evidence where another armband was once on the lower sleeve of the tunic.

The cuff area is discolored where the original parade cuffs were removed.

[Howard Kelley]

Cuff detail.

[Howard Kelley]

Inside lining photos.

[Howard Kelley]

There are award loops for a ribbon bar and two badges.

The WW1 black wound badge was on the tunic when I bought it.

Difficult to say if the award loops are for the original 1937 owner or the Volkssturm member.

If anyone one would like photos of a specific area, please let me know.

Not much reference around on these converted tunics, I welcome any comments.

Thanks,
Howard

[stonemint]

Well, that is one tunic no one will ever doubt was Volkssturm--thanks for posting....

[Howard Kelley]

Forgot to mention, there is evidence of a breast eagle (now removed), and shoulder boards also removed.

I just don't understand the piping? Gold yellow color but IR90 was part of the 20th Mot. Inf. Div. later the 20th Pz. Grend. Div. Just going by the ink stamping to the interior.

What's with the Cav. piping?

[kyles bullets]

The armband is the harder to find variation of the right eagle's head facing left instead of right like the other eagle.... Nice converted tunic!

[PeterPaul]

At the "Volksopfer" drive in 1945 clothes was collected in all Germany,so the new battalions of VS could be uniformed..The drive was aimed on collecting the spare uniforms hanging in peoples closets,it was not uncommen to have 3 or 4 uniforms to the same man..Also,all other clothes was taken in too,to be used for new uniform parts or simply died Wehrmacht green and issued..
This uniform could very easy be such a uniform..That means the medal bar loops not nescacerry was for the VS man,but more likely to the previcious owner..
The removed shoulder boards was 100% typical for VS use as this was part of the VS dress code..The eagle was not removed because of use in the VS,but probarly done after the war..
The 3 stars on the collar is a Kompaniefuhrer...Also VS personel holding batt.staff positions like adjudant and administrations had 3 stars...

The yellow Waffen farbe has no bearing on VS use,there simply wasent uniforms or time to distrupeted the correct colour to the correct branch of the army,in this case artillery..
The cuffband was supposed to be worn on the middle of the left upperarm but many wear it more like a cufftitle..

[HAF]

very interesting tunic!

[dblmed]

Nice (!)

Howard,

A very Nice find for your collection.
The VS era uniforms are an area which is not well documented, and
which did not have much conformity save that which has previously
been posted.

Super addition !

Best, Dave L / dblmed

[PeterPaul]

I am very interested in the VS and I think its great stuff that Howard shares with us..

About the ink stamps,are you sure its a good idea to put too much weight on them ?? The tunic is original period time but ink stamps,lets face it,these stamps
could be done yesterday,you know what I mean..

Its a great tunic and the missing shoulderboards and the 3 stars set-up on the collar makes it VS for sure...Great find would love to own such a piece one day..

[ral6014]

Interesting tunic. It was common using all kinds of converted uniforms by the volkssturm. I think there exist also especially for the volkssturm new produced tunics. This piece I´ve bought many years ago at an german fleemarket. Sure produced from an professional uniform tailor maybe from used uniforms or the remains of all kinds of new fabric.