Show us your UNTOUCHED & BATTLE WORN field tunic!

[TWS]

Here is one I can contribute. I have a few that have that definite "been there" look like they spent at least some time at the front, but this one is beyond doubt. Why? Because I have a photo of the former owner wearing it in the field.

It may be hard to tell in my photo of a photo, but he's definitely wearing this very tunic in the largest (left hand) shot. Careful examination of the tunic and the photo in person make it a perfect match. In the studio portrait, he is wearing what may be a different tunic and he moved his EKII ribbon from the button hole to the ribbon bar in the tunic I own. In the group shot, it's too small/not enough detail to tell. But one out of three ain't bad.

When you examine the photo in person, you can tell he is wearing a metal cockade and the metal eagle off a visor cap on his M43 cap! Reinforces some other threads where we have discussed the whims of German soldiers in the field when it came to their uniforms.

[TWS]

Couple more shots, but the photos won't really be clear.

[TWS]

Here is another one...hard to find combat used one with all original sewn insignia.

Love your M42 Daniel. You are absolutely right. Either the "combat" or field-worn tunics were worn until they were ratty and replaced or the soldier went into captivity with it and was forced to remove insignia, or at a minimum at least the breast eagle. Then those tunics were also worn to the point of destruction while the soldier was a POW.

I have a nice little M40 tunic that has tons of wear and was even "field shortened" by moving the pockets up and cutting off some of the bottom of the tunic. They did that for two reasons. One was that the bottom hem became very worn and frayed through field use and also because they liked the look of a shorter tunic. Alas, on mine even though the collar tabs appear originally applied, the breast eagle was detached and in the pocket when I got it.

[kammo man]

Couple more shots, but the photos won't really be clear.

One of the best things I have seen in ages.

[PZKG]

That is one smokin tunic TWS!

Mads

[TWS]

One of the best things I have seen in ages.

Wow! Thank-you sir!

That is one smokin tunic TWS!

Mads

Thanks Mads! I love it because it is the only tunic in my collection with a period photo of that very tunic being worn. It's also really neat to me as I know exactly what the soldier who wore it looks like. Unfortunately I do not know his name. Two of the photos are captioned by him in pencil on the back. I am not great with Suetterlin script, but appears the studio portrait says (in German) "Your Fredi on 19.7.44". So I'm assuming his first name was Friedrich and he took a photo the day prior to the bomb going off at the Wolf's Lair! The stamp from the photo studio that developed the film is actually 20 July, the day of.

[OSS]

I looked at this tunic several times at the show (SOS) and thought it was a super piece then and I continue to admire it now.

[TWS]

I looked at this tunic several times at the show (SOS) and thought it was a super piece then and I continue to admire it now.

Thank-you sir. It had been years since I'd owned an HBT tunic. I'd always gravitated towards wool but lately got the itch to get a nice HBT. This was the nicest and coolest (due to the period photos of the wearer) that I found at the entire show, so I pulled the trigger.

Now, I have another HBT in-bound. I can't stop the madness.

[OSS]

Thank-you sir. It had been years since I'd owned an HBT tunic. I'd always gravitated towards wool but lately got the itch to get a nice HBT. This was the nicest and coolest (due to the period photos of the wearer) that I found at the entire show, so I pulled the trigger.

Now, I have another HBT in-bound. I can't stop the madness.

Many collectors wrongly believe HBT tunics to be fatigue or work items yet they were clearly worn in combat, usually in warmer weather. Your tunic has everything going for it.

[TWS]

Many collectors wrongly believe HBT tunics to be fatigue or work items yet they were clearly worn in combat, usually in warmer weather. Your tunic has everything going for it.

Thanks and you are absolutely right. There were HBT fatique or "Drillich" uniforms, but what you and I are talking about ain't them.

Just like the tropical uniforms for the DAK, Sicily, etc. the Wehrmacht (and Luftwaffe field divisions) had an entire "product line" of the reed green HBT field uniforms to include even special armored vehicle crew clothing for units operating in warmer climates or even just for summer time use and the unit would switch back to wool uniform items when summer was over. Try wearing a wool uniform in Southern Russia in summer... not going to work real well unless you like heat stroke.

I speculate that the tunic I own is in such nice untouched condition could be because the Spiess switched it out for a heavier weight uniform either due to the change of seasons or due to his unit being ordered to a cooler climate. He may have been granted leave to go home in between and left it behind in Germany. I know the source that first brought this tunic out of the woodwork and that person specializes in getting items direct from families. The collector I purchased it from got it from that source.

I'd love to have a reed green HBT panzer wrap. Have only examined one in person and the rest have just been photos in reference books like Pruett and Edwards, etc.

[Col17]

Infantry Hauptmann M40

A Tunic which I can contribute -
My Infantry Hauptmann tunic which I purchased 30 years ago. Accepted by the Frankfurt clothing Depot in 1940, period modified with false turnback cuffs which show the exact same wear as the rest of the tunic, bullion officer quality breast eagle, and the addition of a dark green collar. The Tunic has been tailored with the bottom front pockets raised so that they now cover the belt hook holes at the front although the belt hook holes are retained at the back. The medal award loops were present when I purchased the Tunic so I added what I think would have been a likely combination of awards that fit the loop placement.

[Col17]

part 2.

[Col17]

part 3
Does anyone know what the small glass button under the right shoulder strap was for? it is only on the wearers right shoulder. A whistle? kind regards, Colin

[Col17]

Second up, my Engineer Tunic.
Regards, Colin

[Col17]

Part 2.