Show us your UNTOUCHED & BATTLE WORN field tunic!

[Zauberflöte]

For obvious reasons, most tunics found today in our collections are dress tunics or service tunics that have been used for walking-out purposes. Therefore the "real" story tellers, those that have experienced active front-line service are rare to encounter.

I would like to see what is out there, the tunics that leave no doubt as to where they have been, as you can almost touch history...
Will kick-off with a very salty M40 tunic that is completely untouched and was all folded and dirty when I acquired it some 10 years ago. I only brushed and ironed it carefully. The worn liner is completed with a selfmade inner pocket, most of the repairs are very professionally executed but as can be seen with totally different color wool used, the rear shows many stitched mendings as well.

Greetings
F

[Zauberflöte]

M40 Heer

2.

[Gaspare]

A beauty! I know I'm strange,, but I'd take that over some mint never worn depot stored jacket any day!

[Z19]

Jacket

Here ya go. It ain't mint, but it is unmonkeyed with. Alex

[Z19]

pics

The tresse looks field applied on the boards and whats neat is there is more tresse still in the pocket that matches the boards that would've maybe been used for the collar, but never applied.

[panzer224]

I must thank you for starting this thread! Although not an owner of a tunic yet it is my objective to find one and I have been really working to find one. I cannot wait to see how this thread turns out as field tunics are amazing to me!

[WEISNER]

Great idea! Alex that is a nice HBT, In fact the coolest I have seen in a long time! If You ever move it.....

Here is my M40, Battle damaged SS sent back for rebuild and re issued as a Heer with new collar, liner and later Heer insignia. the poor guy wearing this originally must have had his head blown off.... The Area where the sleeve eagle was sewn can clearly be seen when a light is shined in the sleeve and the nap is unworn in the area. Many shrapnal repairs through out!
Regards!
Kevin

[WEISNER]

Massive repairs in upper chest/neck area! was re lined when repaired with later lining material. Also later type thread used around remaining worn out button holes! It is a real stunner in hand and I am happy to bring it along to the June Portland OR. Military trade show if anyone wants a look!
Kevin

[WEISNER]

More....
Edit... The top image here is not the tunic I am describing! I posted a photo from a different M40 but it shows the button hole thread type mine originally had....
second photo showing the rear you can see many repairs and small shrapnal and snag hole repairs!
My Camera lense died so I am unable to shoot photos now but should have a new camera by next week so if any areas you are interested in let me know and I will shoot and post later....
Kev

[WEISNER]

Eagle

[WEISNER]

Size stamping and more period repairs.
Kev

[Zauberflöte]

Excellent input gents, those are the tunics I'm talking about! Outstanding Kevin, amazing repair work on your former W-SS tunic and interesting re-issue. Thanks for sharing.
F.

[WEISNER]

Frederik I am a bit shocked this thread did not take off? I am falling deeper in love with Your tunic and wonder if you can post a shot of the reverse and innerds? The lower pocket repairs are too cool... and I have to assume the wearer of the tunic got sick of loosing his lighter and other small items through the holes in the lower pockets LOL! Demjansk shield is a topper!

Would like to see more of my new favorite HBT Alex!!!! Rear and innards please when time permits!

Best Regards Frederik and I hope some of the other salty tunic lovers will post away! I would like to see a few salty M43's and especially M44's!!!!!

Kevin

[Zauberflöte]

Kevin,

The tendency in the Netherlands (and probably elsewhere as well) was/and still is, that most prestigious collectors only collect mint, unissued items. With this, a lot of novice collectors followed the example and therefore I'm pretty sure a lot of them would not even want a tunic like this in their collection. IMO difficult to understand, since I will always choose a worn item over a unissued one (with only (major) period repairs if there are any ), the latter simply lacks character. I remember well, that when I bought this tunic and showed it to some fellow collectors they almost laughed at me...

I'm happy though, that we all have different tastes and collect different flavors of course, would not be much fun otherwise.

Anyway, here are your requested pics.

Best
F

[Zauberflöte]

And some extra of a Signals wrapper...

It is shortened and has amongst a huge period repair on the shoulder area, also a nice patched repair underneath the collar as well.