NSKK Uniform project (dienstrock)

[NickG]

I am considering the purchase of this NSKK Dienstrock. It is stripped,
so its a project that will need some TLC....
For sure 100% original with nice early inverted pocket pleats and proper RZM tag still in place.

[NickG]

I have most of the insignia to complete it as a Motor Brigade Franken (13 company, M74, Sud District) uniform,
so with golden (sulphur) yellow shoulderboard piping.

[NickG]

One thing that I found puzzling is the fact that it lacks a chocolate brown collar...
Wasn't that the norm for these? or is it a very early NSKK dienstrock? maybe more like "SA" in style?
Thoughts?

[NickG]

Here's a full image (archive image), tunic lacks unit info on the collar...
it is an identical cut early NSKK dienstrock with internal pocket pleats
and has the proper chocolate collar...

and a period picture of a dienstrock with slightly different pockets but definitely NSKK, but lacks the chocolate brown collar, like the tunic that I am considering...

Why the difference?

[NickG]

I received an explanation from Wilhelm via PM which I will share as it is handy to know!
Like I thought it is an early NSKK dienstrock, more in line with SA style uniforms, hence it lacking the chocolate brown collar.

I received the following time line:

May 4, 1934: color and cut like SA uniforms;
January 11, 1935: brown SA-color, no mention of collar in another shade;
December 1, 1936: olive green with dark brown collar
RZM Herstellungsvorschriften 1936: oive green + dark brown collar (RAD-stof);
same for 1938: (just like 1936 RZM Herstellungsvorschriften).

With that said this tunic, which lacks a dark brown (chocolate) collar, dates from before December 1, 1936,
so an early version and more in line with SA uniforms as I suspected
Good info which I wanted to share!

[wilhelm Saris]

In volume 4 for "Headgear of Hitler's Germany" with page 247 a photo is shown from fall 1935 where the new NSKK uniform is shown to Hitler. The tunic obviously has already the brown collar. Page 249 shows a drawing as published in June 1936 from a tailor's magazine, which already also shows the darker collar. Consider 1935 through mid-1936 as a transitional period, please. It took a while before all was arranged and changed.
Note that in 1934 and 1935 the collar-patch did show the K.

[NickG]

Thanks Wim!
It's coming with this RZM marked "Y-strap" set

[wilhelm Saris]

Thanks Wim!
It's coming with this RZM marked "Y-strap" set

In my opinion used by Reiter-SA (according a 1935 RZM-plate).

[NickG]

In my opinion used by Reiter-SA (according a 1935 RZM-plate).

These political Y-straps would be appropriate SA gear for sure, I agree Wilhelm
but when the SA shrunk in size and the Motor SA merging into the NSKK,
because of the Rohm purge, which resulted in significant downsizing of the SA,
their surplus equipment was no doubt redistributed...and former Motor SA men transferring into the NSKK had some of their old gear still...

Here some NSKK members with such Y-straps. They also often wore SA belt buckles even though the regulations allowed for
double claw buckle belts (officers style) regardless of rank...

[wilhelm Saris]

In my opinion used by Reiter-SA (according a 1935 RZM-plate).

Bandsmen and hospital orderlies one sees also wearing them. Nothing about that I see in a regulation, but much was taken over in the earliest years 1935/1936 and even later!

With your material I see the NSKK arm-eagle. These were worn since June 1, 1939.

[LuftMike]

Good luck with the restoration Nick, looks awesome

[NickG]

Good luck with the restoration Nick, looks awesome

Thanks Mike.
I will probably go with a first model metal or beVo driver's sleeve raute...
which would be more in line with such an early NSKK Dienstrock without chocolate collar , which looks more SA in style,
as used by their motorstandarte, (most of which was later absorbed into the NSKK...)
Stay tuned!
I am considering this one!

[NickG]

Well, I decided to take this early NSKK dienstrock restoration in a different direction since it is so early (circa 1935)...
I put the Franken insignia set on this NSKK great coat!
Note metal early pattern NSKK driver's raute! (+ armed forces support armband)

[NickG]

Well I ended up purchasing this early 1st pattern BeVo Driver's raute...



and I will put it on the uniform combined with this rare early "K" insignia set + this single yellow backed NSKK board.
In Angolia's NSKK book there is no clear explanation what the "K" + "K" combined tabs stand for... (Kraftfahrer Korps? as in NSKK? or plain Kontrol? )

This would be an OK combination right? Certainly used very early on!

[Guymauve]

Hi Nick
no its not ok
The "K" insignas was shortly worn from May 4, 1934 to February 11, 1935 at my knowledge; together with the swastika armband for party members, the special nskk armband for others. At this time under SA leadership no shoulder board was worn but the tag with the Gruppe color : KWZ, KWB, KWA on the left arm under the raute.
The Dienstrock was the same as the SA brown!

In my opinion your jacket was used by schools (Motorschulen) and it is beautiful like that, without insignas.
Cheers