General rule

[Petr]

Hi dear collectors,
can you explain the general rule how to tell a SS keilhose field grey combat pants from WH ones and reed green HBT pants from WH ones?I think a stamp is somehow a clue but I do not how.And if there is no a stamp? Please explain to us.
Best regards Petr.

[Soldat de Fer]

Hello
HBT pants were the same for all.
You would have a stamp , only if these were made in KZ.
For the pants made of wool , early on , they were all the same . Later on the war , when the SS started to have their own uniform produced ,the only real difference was the wool ,but not always. I have noted from references that pants produced for the SS were more of a shade of Grey , insted of the greener shade for the army. For the late war garnment , appart for a stamp I don't think you could tell the difference ,quality was crap for every one , wool were made of anything recycleable ( wood pulp as weel).
Technicaly , all uniforms should have been the same for all branches of the WH and SS with the introduction of the M44 uniforms made of earth brown color wool .
Regards
Pierre-Yves

[werner]

Hello Petr,

Pierre - Yves is right.
After, it's a question of money.

[Petr]

Thank you both for your great effort and help my friends.In one book I got is written in the case of wollen keilhose:army type trousers usually have a RB Nr. and SS one a supply depot or factory number not RB Nr. Do you agree?
So can I put on my mannequin any keilhose does not matter if it is a WH or SS soldier or Coastal artillerie one generally speaking?
Best regards Petr.

[Johnny R]

Ss Wh

The stamps (SS-BW or Betr. RA) are the easist way to tell, some collectors say that garments with captured Italian colth are SS, especially the Italian lining fabric. While SS uniforms were made using Italian wool and lining material I have also seen WH clothing constructed using the same material.

I think stamps are the only way to say 100%. The SS utilized civilain forms as well as camp labor for manufacturing clothing. The camp made items usually only have the above stamps and size where as factory stamps and later RBN #s also appear in SS clothing that was produced by private firms.

[Petr]

Hello jhodgson,
thank you very much for your answer and if this is true is quite useless to solve my question unless you see actual SS stamps you mentioned.I feel you know what are you talking about.Once again thank you very much to all who answered my question.
Good health Petr.

[Johnny R]

Pants

You are welcome! The good thing is it is correct to display them with any uniform you have.