A peculiar question to the tunic collectors here: How common was it for officers during the war to have holes custom-made by a tailor directly into the sleeve to in this way attach a campaign shield? ( Instead of sewing it on via the usual cloth backing material) Was it a common feature and may be encountered frequently with tunics bearing a campaign shield? I hope my question is not too weird / odd…. I will appreciate everyone’s input. Thanks and regards,Markus
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Are you insinuating corded holes as in the type on headgear vents or buttons so that a shield could be removed?
I would logically speculate this was not feasable since the prongs on the shield will eventually snap off after a few applications. If anything ,mini snaps are used as illustrated on bullion cloth insignia to remove for cleaning frequency.Last edited by CIB; 12-29-2010, 07:25 PM. -
Yes, probably not too common to attach the shield
with the prongs directly to the tunic. I think I have seen
one Totenkopf tunic in one of the Beaver volumes though
with a Demjansk shield attached that way.
The idea wasn't for cleaning removal though, I'd say.
They were usually only brushed off dry anyway.
Thanks for your comment!Comment
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Regulations for the award said that the backing material was required to be the same color/texture as the base material of the tunic.
What usually happened with officer tunics of Trikot and tropical or drill tunics etc. was one of three things-
The order was disregarded and the shield was sewn on using the field gray wool backing issued with the awards.
Following regulations the shields were mounted by applying the shields to a cloth material that matched the tunic.
Or more often-the issue wool material was removed and the backing plate pins were pushed directly through the sleeve of the tunic to mount the shield.
To see reinforced holes would not be super odd, you see this with award loops etc. It is just a much neater way of doing option three.Comment
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Here are some tunic removed examples and one mounted to a Major's service tunic with a backing plate pushed through the sleeve. Note the rub wear from the shield backing on the lining above the top.
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Johnny, Here is mine with the wool backing as well as the backing plate. Looks to have 1 prong broke off
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Interesting question and answers! Seeing the broken tab on Kreager's tunic leads me to beleive these pins would snag sometimes on the shirt when taking off the tunic and break them off....
Have you posted the Majors tunic on the forum Johnny? if so can you post a link to the thread? If not I would love to see the tunic!
I also am interested in seeing your tunic Kreager!
Have a great day all!
KevinComment
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Yes, the prongs are not very strong. They had to use the backing plates or the shields would pull loose. Seeing them applied pushed through the tunic is pretty common. I have never seen one with reinforced holes though but it would not be a red flag for me.
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Sure Kevin here you goComment
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waffenfarbeComment
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Markus:
Your question has better perspective with me now. Rather than just crudley jamming 4 holes through fine material, it would make sense to produce a neatness of dress with a tailors quality workmanship.
Another similar example as already depicted of a few campaign shielded tunics I have while I'm at it.. The prongs do not go all the way through as Johnny R describes.Last edited by CIB; 12-29-2010, 09:47 PM.Comment
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That is the second way to do it I described, they change the backing material and sew it on.Originally posted by CIB View Post
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Guys,
First of all many thanks for sharing these tunics with us here.
They are all very beautiful.
Also very interesting to see the shields attached to the sleeves in different manners.
I should get some detail-shots of the one I'm referring to these days.
Stand-by.
MarkusComment
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Here are the photos I got.
Inner lining destroyed.Comment
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