Help needed on 1930's era 280th infantry tunic. Der Spiess

[tmca05]

I’m trying to find out any information on the unit (280th Infantry) that this 1930’s walking out dress tunic belong to.

First off, would it be the 280th Infantry Brigade or Battalion?

Where was the unit located in the mid 1930’s which is the time period for this tunic. Does any form of Unit roster exists being the 280th infantry. Since it is a Sergeant-Major or Stabsfeldwebel and also a Der Spiess, I would think that it would make it easy to identify the original owner if I had a unit roster.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Richard P]

The mid 30's tunics I have seen that had the insignia put on in the mid 30's were quite different. They had much earlier eagles, and the tresse was the Weimar pattern, the tabs were puffed out with padding. This tunic may have had rank and insignia changes into the later 30's, even though it was made earlier....just a thought.

It is an attractive tunic worthy of research. Congratulations!

Richard

[Schulterklappen]

280.Infanterie Rgt.

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/...nter/IR280.htm


Here is a brief history of the 280. Infanterie Rgt.

[Johnny R]

The tunic pattern is from 1926 and it dates to the later 1920s and early 1930s so before the September 1939 formation of the 280th Inf. Rgt. (# the boards). What often happened was that when the Army was being expanded after Hitler took power, experienced officers and NCOs and in many cases entire Battalions where taken from older units and used to form the core cadres of new regiments. The 280 Regiment was formed from the "5. Welle" or basically "call, draft, or mobilization" in English which was a classification for bringing reservists and calling registered "draftees" to active duty. The owner most likely just added the new unit numbers reflecting his current assignment. The dark green collar also probably was added to replace and lighter color collars on the RH or is the tunic was made later circa- 1933-35 it might be the original.

[CWP]

With no Kompanie numbers on the boards it would not be possible to identify the owner of this jacket even if you knew exactly when this was worn and even if you had a complete unit roster, there was a Spiess in every Kompanie in the Regiment.

[naxos]

With no Kompanie numbers on the boards it would not be possible to identify the owner of this jacket even if you knew exactly when this was worn and even if you had a complete unit roster, there was a Spiess in every Kompanie in the Regiment.

Since he was not only appointed Hauptfeldwebel (Spiess) but also held the rare rank of Stabsfeldwebel he would not be serving in a Kompanie (hence, no coy number) but in the Regimental staff. That would narrow it down.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...0&postcount=10

.

[naxos]

Since he was not only appointed Hauptfeldwebel (Spiess) but also held the rare rank of Stabsfeldwebel he would not be serving in a Kompanie (hence, no coy number) but in the Regimental staff. That would narrow it down.

.

BTW: The rank of Stabsfeldwebel was established in the Wehrmacht in 1939

[tmca05]

Thanks for all the great response. It just goes to prove that no matter how long you collect, there is always something to learn. I will keep trying to research this tunic as best I can.

Attached are two additional photos, one of the tailor label, and one of a name or number that has been ebroidered into the lining, but I can not make out what it is.

[naxos]

thanks for all the great response. It just goes to prove that no matter how long you collect, there is always something to learn. I will keep trying to research this tunic as best i can.

Attached are two additional photos, one of the tailor label, and one of a name or number that has been ebroidered into the lining, but i can not make out what it is.

152273

[tmca05]

That's sure a possibility, I guess I'll have to figure out what that number means now. I sure wish these guys would have written their names and units in everything, it would have made it easier on us collectors. On the other hand, my name is not in any of my old service uniforms...not that anybody would collect those.

[Johnny R]

It may also be a museum inventory number. Kassel was the home of the 15th IR and some other Infantry training and command units-Since the tunic was made there he may have been from there or have been stationed there are one time. Are there pockets in the rear flaps? Sometimes a name tag is hiding in there.

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/...enter/IR15.htm