NSDAP Political Leader's Tunic

[sauron249]

I have come across this NSDAP tunic and I wanted your opinions. I know that this military shop is very reputable. I like the tunic and I know that the collar tabs are glued, but I can fix that. I am just curious to why the tunic doesn't have the normal NSDAP tunic buttons. The buttons don't have the nazi eagle on them like most NSDAP tunics. I have seen ones like this in the past, but they are very rarely seen. I can't post the pictures, so I will post the link to the tunic.
http://www.germanmilitaria.com/Polit...s/N003568.html

[sauron249]

I would also like to know if the tunic style is post or pre 1939 cut.

[Br. James]

Hi Sauron,

It's difficult to tell the difference between the 1934/1936 and the 1939/later PL tunic based solely upon the cut of the garment; the best way to do that is to acknowledge the different between the collar tabs and the brassards used on each series of uniform tunics, and that should hopefully illustrate the garment's origin. The PL tunic at the link you provided does not appear to have any color piping around the edge of the upper lapels; such piping was present on all PL tunics back to as far as including the PL Traditions Brown Shirt. So, too, regarding the metal buttons w/the PL eagle 7 swastika. The buttons on this piece do not appear to be original to the uniform tunic. The collar tabs indicate the wearer as an Orts-Anwaerter, the lowest level of PL uniformed service, according to the 1939 uniform reform. There is no brassard present -- which would indicate the rank the wearer held if the tunic were part of the 1939 uniform reform. So, from what is visible, the piece appears to be a PL Orts-Anwaerter tunic issued in 1939 or later. Hope this is helpful.

Br. James

[J. M. C.]

Sorry to drag this old thread back to the surface.

I just acquired a tunic, fresh from the vet's family, that is from the same maker and it also has plain buttons. I don't think that this maker used Eagle & Swastika buttons.

There are a few PL tunics out there with plain buttons.

[Br. James]

Thanks for resurrecting this older thread; it's still of interest since there was no conclusive response to the "buttons question." While I cannot offer any light on this question, my thought is that since this tunic bears an RZM label, it must have been inspected by a Party inspector before being released for sale through an RZM shop. Therefore, if this tunic should have had buttons with the PL eagle and swastika on them when it was made, the only answer is that someone has replaced the buttons post-war.

Br. James

[J. M. C.]

Hi Br. James,
It looks like this maker's tunics ended up with plain buttons somehow. Here's another. No tag shown but judging from the cut it looks like the same maker.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...&postcount=144

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...&postcount=145

I'll get some shots of my tunic later to add to the thread.

[soldon]

I too have PL tunic with plain silver coloured buttons, but feel they are not right, inclined to think they should be gold coloured with eagle and swastika embossed on their fronts. Pretty sure the plain silver buttons are postwar additions.

[J. M. C.]

Hi Soldon,
You have a PL tunic with a RZM tag for the maker 261306?

[Jeff Clark]

Many Political Leaders buttons were silver prior to the final pattern insignia change in 1939. After that, the regulations call out gilted buttons with eagle and swastika on them for all PL.

Earlier buttons were usually pebbled and subsequently the eagle/swas was added to each color of button.

From 36-39, the color of the button matched the rank of the Political Leader. For example at Orts level, the Ortsgruppenleiter wore gold tabs with gold buttons. An Orts Amtsleiter had silver tabs and wore silver buttons.

To make things even more confusing, Political Leaders, especially at the lower level/ranks, continued to wear all combinations of the above all the way to the end. The war did not allow for everyone & everything to be upgraded to final pattern insignia.

And finally, introduced in March of 1944, was a Service and Duty tunic with brown-pebbled buttons. This was a result of areas under German control becoming combat zones. This picture shows the Kreisleiter in Gotha wearing Service & Duty tunic.

[Br. James]

Great information, Jeff -- thanks very much for clarifying a most difficult-to-fathom subject! The photo you provide is a wonderful example of your explanation that the wartime situation throughout Germany and her territories made it almost impossible for every person wearing a PL uniform to maintain current regulation standards: in addition to this Kreisleiter wearing brown pebbled buttons, he appears to still be wearing the collar piping from the pre-1939 regs -- black -- as well as an armband from earlier times, as well!

Cheers, and thanks again,

Br. James

[Erich B.]

I think that's a shadow around the collar edge rather than piping. Very interesting late war uniform set up for this PL.
Erich

[Br. James]

I thought about a shadow there, too, Erich, but if it's a shadow, then where is the white piping on the collar edge? It should stand out in that area, even more than a shadow.

Maybe it's my aging eyesight, but it looks like the front buttons of the tunic are covered by a flap of fabric; I can't see the buttons as they are.

Cheers,

Br. James

[Br. James]

...of course, I can see the button on the pocket flap!

Br. James

[Erich B.]

I believe the collar is un-piped. The tunic is similar to an SA School tunic with a hidden button front. Jeff has listed the model type above.
Erich

[Jeff Clark]

tunic is unpiped