Hbt Nco Tunic

[Mark Holden]

I recently bought this HBT tunic. It is modelled after the M40 wool tunic as it has pleated pockets. I have not found this model in any of my reference books so if any WA members can shed any light on introduction date I would be interested

Cheers

Mark

[Mark Holden]

INTERNAL SHOT. It came stripped the ribbon bar and wound bage follow existing holes in the tunic.

[Mark Holden]

Finally a shot of the collar. It is mouse grey NCO Tresse, also it has a button flap that allows the collar to be closed like the mountain troopers M36 tunics.

[keifer kahn]

HBT uniforms came on line as officiall summer weight combat uniforms in 1940.

Having pleated pockets,it is a typical 1st model.Some 1st models have scalloped pockets as well.The later type HBT tunics did away with the pleats and scalloped pockets as a material saving move.
2nd models typically have non pleated pockets but some retain their scalloped pockets/
3rd models typically have plain straight edge pockets(no scallop) and no pleats.
The thread that shows Pierre.H,s hbt work tunic converted into something resembling a combat HBT tunic.This would be typical of a lead up style(done unoffically) before the official factory issue types were available.
Its a good example of tunic evolution.