Dutch converted Tunic

[Alex1987]

Hello,

Please your opinions on this jacket. Is everything war time applied? And please some indication for the price.






Kind regards,

Alex

[NickG]

Most likely a replaced eagle as its handstitched on the tunic . I know this because I used to own this very tunic. I received it "as is" in the early 90's...
All insignia btw is handstitched on this piece. If I remember correctly it has Russian markings (museum inventory numbers) printed on the inside liner.
I traded it a couple of years ago for a Luftwaffe HBT tunic (from Holland), which by the way had a replaced breast eagle.
Not surprizing as the majority of such tunics were denazified post war...
but if this one came from a Russian museum perhaps it was made like this? Who knows...?
because its a "beute" conversion uniform anything "textbook" in regards to stitching really does not count!
Value (USA market) : Russian ROA boards $100-$150, uniform $400-$600, but in Europe probably considerably more!
Here is the very same uniform when it was in my possession in California.

[NickG]

Another view! Is it for sale? I would not mind getting it back! If my memory serves me right
it has Russian stamps on the inside, which is proof to me that its been Ostfront used by Osttruppen,
regardless if the insignia is period applied or not.

[NickG]

I kept some pictures of it! Here German size stamps THREE times in the lining!
Kind of overstamped but 100% originally done! Note DAK material on the inside.
I'll see if I have kept images of the Russian stamps which I believe are also in this piece!

[Johnny R]

Very nice factory converted reissue tunic. I agree with Nick on all points except I think it is worth more but I can't say that because Nick is interested in buying it from you Also Nick, great job on the display when you owned it. The bread bag strap and the Soviet semi auto are nice touches

[NickG]

Very nice factory converted reissue tunic. I agree with Nick on all points except I think it is worth more but I can't say that because Nick is interested in buying it from you Also Nick, great job on the display when you owned it. The bread bag strap and the Soviet semi auto are nice touches

Thanks for the thumbs up John. I miss this piece, now that I'm looking at this old picture again...
Regarding the value...well that is what I had in it money-wise... but it was a while back...
I guess these Dutch conversions have increased in value, now that more people are aware of their use...
(I still own 2 other Dutch conversions)

[Johnny R]

That one is especially attractive in that as you outlined with the features that there stands a very good chance it has not been messed with and was actually issued to and used by Eastern troops.

[John Huff]

Were these tunics actually worn in combat or are they early mobilization tunics to help supply meet demand and intended for REMF's?

[NickG]

Dutch tunics were very well made with extra padding, full liner and more importantly way thicker wool.
So very well suited for the Russian winters campaigns and used all the way to the end, especially among Osttruppen (Cossacks),
but also in regular (rear guard) German units. These tunics were even used as "best dress" tunics by Germans and were even
worn without the (often added) bottom skirt pockets.
So if these have added German skirt pockets, for sure considered a combat tunic and without this modification,
they're considered best dress tunics. So both!

[240stevek]

I agree with you all the Nick.
There were 2 Dutch tunics reissued to the German Heer at the last SOS, one with skirt pockets one without.
I snapped 1 up and was sorry I didnt buy the other while driving home.
They really dont come around that often.

[Johnny R]

I also have a version that was converted for an NCO beyond factory and had external pleated pockets added to the chest and the dutch padding replaced by german type lining as well. There are photos of these worn in combat but as noted also were used in training and for rear units. The one I mentioned above I suspect was worn by an NCO in a training unit etc.

[Alex1987]

Hello everyone,

Thanks for all the reply's! I heard from some people that the shield and the other insignes are post war applied.

Alex

[NickG]

Hello everyone,

Thanks for all the reply's! I heard from some people that the shield and the other insignes are post war applied.

Alex

If that's the final verdict its not surprizing really, as in Europe it was law that uniforms were denazified...stripped of all "nasty" insignia...
Untouched original uniforms are either closet survivors or uniforms that US vets brought back to the States,
but in reality the majority ended up looking like this.... (and later restored) recently freed POW's...

Of interest on the right is an Austrian (some claim Czech) conversion Heer tunic (with bellowed chest pockets!)
Image dates from 1946 so these are lucky prisoners, being released by the Soviets this early.
Note also POW sleeve insignia, waffenrock (Parade tunic),fliegerbluse and Russian style side caps! (Bundesarchiv image)