I was lucky enough to get this tunic of the Austrian Alps Volkssturm called "Tiroler Standschutzen" which means "Tyrolian Static Guard "
(originally a ww1 unit, now a ww2 static defence unit).
The tunic is coming from Italy and unfortunately its been stripped of its insignia, but its easily restorable. Ghosts of Volkssturm collar tabs and Standschutze sleeve diamond (with dark green wool remnants even) are still clearly visible! The tunic also never had any provisions for shoulderstraps, which is correct for Standschutzen.
It is a close copy of in a 1st model tropical pattern German tunic with open V neck, BUT of a simplefied Italian manufacture... and made of Italian (post armistice September 1943 obtained) semi shiny "Olona" cotton (very soft to the touch when new, unwashed) which is the exact same material as used for the manufacturing of Italian tropical "camiciotto" tunics and Italian "Sahariana" bush jacket tunics...
The Standschutzen were raised on August 23, 1944 and 16 (some claim 17) independent battalions were situated in garrison towns in the Tyrolian Alps on both sides of the border, so including Italian areas of Sud Tirol.
This tunic might have been used on the Italian side of the "Alpenvorland" and made locally in Italy, but in accordance with German patterns of course.
(originally a ww1 unit, now a ww2 static defence unit).
The tunic is coming from Italy and unfortunately its been stripped of its insignia, but its easily restorable. Ghosts of Volkssturm collar tabs and Standschutze sleeve diamond (with dark green wool remnants even) are still clearly visible! The tunic also never had any provisions for shoulderstraps, which is correct for Standschutzen.
It is a close copy of in a 1st model tropical pattern German tunic with open V neck, BUT of a simplefied Italian manufacture... and made of Italian (post armistice September 1943 obtained) semi shiny "Olona" cotton (very soft to the touch when new, unwashed) which is the exact same material as used for the manufacturing of Italian tropical "camiciotto" tunics and Italian "Sahariana" bush jacket tunics...
The Standschutzen were raised on August 23, 1944 and 16 (some claim 17) independent battalions were situated in garrison towns in the Tyrolian Alps on both sides of the border, so including Italian areas of Sud Tirol.
This tunic might have been used on the Italian side of the "Alpenvorland" and made locally in Italy, but in accordance with German patterns of course.
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