Waffenrock with Non-regulation Shoulder Boards

[LDR]

I have two waffenrock in my collection that both have field grau shoulder straps rather than the dark green regulation straps.
The panzer(pic1) one has been in a cupboard for 60 years odd, and was sold by the grand daughter when her grandfather passed away. So i believe i has not be messed with by anyone other than the original soldier.
The other is an infantry recruiter(pic2), and this was a vet bring back, so again unlikely that he added the boards (though anything is possible).
However, i recently stumbled on this period photo which seems to show a waffenrock with field grau shoulder boards. Also notice that the waffenrock collar tabs have been replaced. I wonder what his cuffs are like?
Anyway, has anyone got any thoughts on this? Do you think this proves that its possible to find waffenrock with field grau shoulder boards that are period done, perhaps late war?

[LDR]

Recruiter:

[LDR]

Period photo:

[Diane]

Waffenrock with Non-regulation Shoulder Boards?

Hi LDR,

After the War began in 1939 the Waffenrock was no longer issued. Those that had already been issued (with the exception of a few units) were withdrawn from service.

Exceptions were made for privately owned Tunics that which were permitted for wear as a "walking out uniform".

As the war progressed many of these private purchase tunics were upgrades as soldiers were promoted / transferred, etc.

So, I would say it is not unusual to see these kind of modifications done during the war by the original owners.

Later in the war the Waffenrocks in storage were converted by removing the cuff ornamentation, changing the collars and even adding breast and skirt pockets before issuing to new recruits.

I like both of our tunics!


MfG,

Diane

[Johnny R]

Boards

Those are interesting, I have not seen that before. I would guess the field gray boards were the only ones available after they stopped making them in badge cloth with embrodiered designations.

[galizien41]

Great tunics with very nice boards on them. I would agree that they do not look post war applied. I would guess that the soldier may have changed the parade tunics's boards later when he moved to a different rgt, etc...and updated the boards on it. Man I love that panzer one, sell it to me!!! Thanks for posting interesting variations!

[airborne_steve]

This waffenrock has been altered for "walk out" or even combat wear. The collar tabs have been replaced with field quality tabs. Additionally the tunic was altered with provisions for slip on straps. I'm surprised that breast and skirt pockets were not added.

Steve

Period photo:

[LDR]

Thanks for all the replies.

John: i thought this maybe the case to. Say both soldiers changed departments/services late on in the war, and the only available boards were field grau. This would make sense in a way as the panzer NCO school at Sternberg i think wasnt around until 1943, and the recruiters changed from orange to white again later war.

Thanks also for the other information guys, glad you like the tunics. I wish i could see this guys cuffs. I presume they are probably removed...but you never know what with the missing pockets.

Lewis

[LDR]

Would also be interesting to see how people reacted to this tunic if for sale today.

[Johnny R]

Tunic

I would buy it in a heartbeat, I love these "off the wall" and altered tunics. I fall asleep looking at issue regulation tunics. To me that is almost as exciting as collecting perfectly identical jars of mayonaise.


Steve, great photo! He looks like he has just sat through about 15 hours of SQT training.

[LDR]

Thanks John good to know.

The photo is infact mine, and i just won it on ebay!

[Johnny R]

Thanks John good to know.

The photo is infact mine, and i just won it on ebay!

SQT training is the boring basic skills training American soldiers are subjected to over and over when we are not in the field in peace time. He looks dead tired.

[airborne_steve]

SQT training is the boring basic skills training American soldiers are subjected to over and over when we are not in the field in peace time. He looks dead tired.

It's now called WTT and 350-1 training! Very exciting indeed.

Yes, I can't take credit for that picture but it is a great photo showing wartime alteration of a parade tunic in order to extending its service life.

The straps on LDRs parade tunics are, IMHO period applied. Parade tunics were allowed for use while at the NCO schools in the case of the panzer waffenrock. The infantry tunic most likely had the soulder straps replaced when the soldier was transfered to a new unit. Very neet tunics.

Steve

[wessel]

Here's a Medical waffenrock that has been altered for walk-out wear. Four pockets have been added, as have French cuffs. The blue piping remains on the inside seam but unfortunately has been removed from the outside one.
The giveaway is the seam round the middle of the tunic which is the standard waffenrock construction.

[LDR]

Thanks for posting. Interesting piece, heres another photo i just picked up:



Looks like this waffenrock has had its collar tabs replaced.