Drillich tunic, opinions please...

[Robert P.]

Johnny,

OK, I feel better now. It just wouldn't settle with me that there was a possibility that this jacket had been enhanced with loops and ribbons. I removed the items you thought were added. You have much more experience than I when it comes to 'cloth', and I thank you for your opinion. Here she is now with period original arti slip-on boards in place, and questionable enhancements removed...

Thank you,
Robert

[naxos]

Great looking tunic!

Looks much better with the ribbons removed.

[naxos]

HBT tunics were practical because unlike the Feldbluse they could be readily washed. HBT tunics with awards usually had ribbon bars that could be easily taken off if the tunic needed to be washed.

[naxos]

close-up of awards on HBT tunic (dated 1943)

[Robert P.]

Great photos of an NCO and Obergefreiter in their HBT's.

Robert

[Johnny R]

It looks great now, was there an outline of the chevron? Awards usually were pined directly to the tunic with these as well. This is an M42 upgraded for an officer and you can see the holes for the awards and ribbon bar.

[Robert P.]

To tell you the truth I'm still contemplating removing the chevron. I wouldn't know how to reapply it if there is a shadow when I remove it? My eyesight and lack of sewing ability would hinder me from reapply it, Johnny. I don't know what to do.

Robert

[Johnny R]

The way I look at stuff like that is by examining the thread. Usually if all the ribbons loops chevron and eagle tabs etc. are the same thread you know it was almost ceetainly restored.

If you saved some of the thread from the ribbons you can do the burn test, if it is synthetic and that thread matches the chevron then you know it was applied after the War etc.

You may want to leave it on. The rank is believable but for all those awards before he would normally have been a Cpl. on his way to being an NCO. These drill tunics were really only worn in training and in the field at the front or larger theater of operations. The see them worn with awards in front areas is fairly rare.

[Robert P.]

Johnny,

The thread on the chevron is different than that used on anything else on the jacket. It passes the black light test. The thread used to apply the ribbons and loops passes the black light test as well, and is not synthetic. When it is put into a flame it turned to ash quickly.

Synthetic thread would 'ball up' when put close to a flame, right?

Robert

[Johnny R]

Hi, yes it turns to globs like melting plastic and gives off a wisp of black nasty smoke. I would leave the chevron there.

[Robert P.]

I've turned the sleeve the chevron is on inside out and see no sign or telltale outline of a lesser rank patch there. I'm no expert on the subject, but I like the HBT cloth the chevrons are applied to.

Robert

[Johnny R]

No one living is an expert, that is the first key thing to remember in collecting this stuff. Some of us have just seen more stuff then others and are older. That is the only real difference. No one knows everything. The most dangerous thing in collecting this stuff is to assume you are an expert and to think you know everything. I have seen "experts" and "advanced collectors" with huge collections full of garbage.

[Robert P.]

Thanks again Johnny,

You've been very helpful to me.

Robert

[Tim O'Keefe]

Hi Robert

The tunic looks so much better now than before when it was souped-up. Nice bit of restoration to a more original appearance. Agree the eagle has been replaced at some point but thats ok too. Really like these HBT's myself.

& Johnny

You are spot on throughout this thread, and also agree the more you have to explain why an item is original, the less likely it is.... thanks for the info

thanks guys
Tim

[WEISNER]

I agree it does look much better, I really like the well worn look Robert! This is a great thread that would benefit many to read which shows things are not always what they seem.

Now Robert I would like to see it displayed all kitted out with late war fieldgear...

Kevin