I just purchased a Heer Infantry officers tunic and I seen something I generally don’t like to see. The collar tabs have definitely been replaced. The remains of the original machine stitching are still there. The thing that is odd is that the eagle and sewn in shoulder boards look original to the tunic. A second thing is that the sleeves of the tunic were re-tailored and the length extended. This looks to be very professionally done and a period modification. My question is what is the possibility of the tunic being re-tailored for someone war time and the tabs being added to match the branch of the new owner? I would hate to return a perfectly good tunic because of my concerns over the tabs. The current tabs are also machine sewn and the wear matches the tunic and other insignia. Any thought?
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Can you please post photos of the tunic and areas of concern?
Paul -
TabsComment
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BacksideComment
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EagelComment
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boardsComment
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SleeveComment
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TunicComment
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Having the cuffs re-done was not uncommon. Usually it was due to wear at the end of the cuff. All that extra material for the French cuff at the end of the sleeve added a lot of weight. Since the cuffs were done by a tailor, I think it's reasonable that the collar tab replacement was also done at the same time, since they are machine sewn. If the guy wore out the sleeve ends, perhaps the collar tabs also had enough wear and soiling (they didn't have dry cleaning back then) that he just had them replaced too. The fact that the shoulder boards haven't been replaced and that the wear on the collar tabs is consistent with the rest of the tunic are all good signs.
Since the boards are for infantry and haven't been replaced, even with a new owner the waffenfarbe would have been the same - white. I seriously doubt that the ownership of the tunic changed.
Personally, I'd keep it.Comment
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Thanks Dave, I strongly value your opinion.
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Dave, I took your advice and kept the tunic. Some interesting things I noticed after a good long examination that would point toward it being re-tailored for someone else though. The shoulder boards and breast eagle look original to the tunic, I see no signs of them being re-stitched at all. The buttons on the boards and four pocket buttons look to be un-messed with. The top breast button closest to the collar also looks un-messed with. Now the rest of the buttons look to have been moved in a little to tighten the fit of the jacket. They are the exact same style and wear as the rest but there is signs of stitch holes were they used to be. There are also stitch holes were an EK2 or Eastern Front ribbon used to be. The stitching on the five moved buttons looks the same as the rest. Kind of odd but a nice tunic just the same. There are also a few small snags and holes through out the tunic that are real hard to see because they were professional repaired. It definitely has the signs of being there. I know it was common to re-cycle/re-issue lower rank tunics but what about officers? Has anyone heard of it?Comment
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Lot to consider adding to Daves post. Due to rationing and food supply as the war went on Soldiers dropped weight quick.If you read youll find disentary and other problems caused this as well. Ive found untouched unaltered tunics but the majority of well used field pieces Ive found have had some alterations,buttons replaced,skirts shortened etc. I kind of like these signs of use myself as long as they are period and not post war. I like your tunic I was eyeballing it before you grabbed it off Peters site.Comment
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Thanks John pic, I agree that kind of stuff adds carictor to a tunic. Much better than having one in mint condition that sat the war out in a closet.Comment
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