DAK Eagle and cufftitle

[Varsity]

Hello,

Does this look ok and applied originally?

Thanks Jim

[Varsity]

And of course the photos

[Varsity]

The eagle

[afrikasandman]

Can you post an overall shot of the front of the tunic? Or is it a 1st model, 2nd model or 3rd model trop tunic? Matt

[Varsity]

Yes, I can, this is how I got it, dated B41
There are traces on the left sleeve where a chevron and a shield? have been removed.

[afrikasandman]

Varsity,

can you post a couple of shots of the inside and the ghost insignia traces? It could be original to the tunic, but I find it odd that it used to have a chevron and possibly a shield. Now it has what appear to be slip on boards and Officer collar tabs.. are the tabs still sewn under them? Also what is the date on the tunic, should be there as it looks pretty minty. Matt

[afrikasandman]

Man total brain fart on me with the date. So the cuff could be completely originally sewn, does it appear to be settled into the tropical tunic material? Its a proper early cuff and that jives with the date. I don't have any issue with the straight sewing style along the boarder like this, seems like 1/2 the cuffs had the edges folded over and hand applied and the other 1/2 just straight machine sewn. What I find interesting is the eagle, the application of it and I am curious if the original collar tabs are still under those officer tabs? Interesting that it has a former sleeve shield and chevron outline... That is the only thing that gives me concern really, and perhaps the collar tabs... Do they appear to have the settled in appearance? Most officer tunics I have seen had all continental insignia sewn, especially if they went to the trouble to upgrade the tabs and boards. The two I have both have officer bullion eagles. Period pics do show a lot of officers in Afrika just wearing continental boards with EM insignia (eagle and tabs). Matt

[Varsity]

Hi Matt,

Thanks for the help so far.
I can't look under the tabs, the officer's tabs are hand applied, but the signs of previous EM tabs are clearly visible beneath the collar, I will post a photo.

What could the shield have been?

Jim

[Varsity]

And some more

[afrikasandman]

I would bet that the original EM tabs are still under the officer tabs. The shield is odd as it appears to have been either a Krim or Kuban shield sewn upside down which is a bit odd. Matt

[msteve21]

Dak

I would bet that the original EM tabs are still under the officer tabs

Agree Matt

In my opinion the Officer tabs and cuff title are post war added, with a replaced breast eagle (if possible a shot of the inside of the eagle would be great)

All the Officer DAK tunics I've seen have machine sewn tabs, still a very diserable early dated tunic. I have one from the same maker dated 41

Mark S

[afrikasandman]

The cuff could be originally sewn to it but it just doesn't look that settled and my gut is telling me it probably isn't. A hands on would be a must and I do agree about the officer tabs usually being machine sewn. Still its an original cuff so thats a plus. Matt

[msteve21]

Dak

The cuff could be originally sewn to it but it just doesn't look that settled and my gut is telling me it probably isn't. A hands on would be a must and I do agree about the officer tabs usually being machine sewn. Still its an original cuff so thats a plus. Matt

Quite right Matt, hands on inspection would answer a lot of questions. Also the tuinc apperars almost mint, possibly a unissued one, that been fiddled with post war
Here its twin


Mark S

[Varsity]

Thanks all, the tunic is indeed in good condition, the stitching of the shield is not upside down.
Why would you put officers tabs over EM tabs post war?

I have some more photos of the eagle, there are no traces of other holes or stitching.

[msteve21]

Why would you put officers tabs over EM tabs post war?

Possibly done to increase value uf the tuinc

have some more photos of the eagle, there are no traces of other holes or stitching

EM breast eagles on 1st pattern tunics were laid upside down and machine sewn down, then flipped over and the lower wing and swastika area hand sewn.

Your breast eagle is hand sewn. Have a look at Figueroa book on Tropical uniforms, p22. He has a Berlin Marker dated 41 EM tuinc and photos of a orginal applied breast eagle.

Mark S