What tunic is this Panzerschütze wearing ?

[Maxoumilitaria]

Hi guys,

Just got this picture (dated from the 10th April 1945...) and I was wondering which type of jacket this Panzerschütze is wearing. My guess would be M43 HBT tunic: the material seems lighter/thinner than the normal wool: it pleats (not sure it's the right word in English) on the top front button and on the breast pockets buttons.

What's your opinion about it ?

Thanks!

Max

[Johnny R]

Looks like it may be a later pattern HBT tunic. They also sometimes made short jackets from HBTs that were a bit like British battle jackets or the U-boat waist jackets but these were very rare to see. This photo may be a newer copy of an original image looking at the image and borders.

[overthetop]

IMO the material looks too light for HBT tunic but the large red letters block out some pocket details. Looks more like a light green or tan summnerweight.

[Johnny R]

Looks exactly like HBT blue green material to me and the cut is like a second pattern issue HBT tunic.

[Maxoumilitaria]

Thanks for your help!

@Johnny: I asked myself the question when I bought it but when having it in hands, it feels like a normal ID photo. Are your doubts coming from the blurred area around the breast eagle ?

@overthetop: here is the picture without the letters on the pocket:

[Johnny R]

Are the white dots and nicks on the photo or are they part of the image as it was printed? To me it looks like a reprint but I am not certain.

[Maxoumilitaria]

The nicks are on the photo but concerning the white dots, I must admit that I can't tell for sure. The picture is rather small (ID photo like those used on the Soldbuch) so the white dots are very very small.

[afrikasandman]

It's a HBT tunic in my opinion. Cool photo though. Matt

[derka]

Looks like it may be a later pattern HBT tunic. They also sometimes made short jackets from HBTs that were a bit like British battle jackets or the U-boat waist jackets but these were very rare to see....

Agree, shortened 4 pockets HBT tunic like here, clearly visible on 2 men on the left :



Otherwise the first pattern HBT 4 pockets tunic unshortened :





later pattern :





Often 4 pockets tunics were worn tucked into trousers, wich make them appear then to be shortened or like a coverall.
In this pic, a mix with pz HBT trousers 2nd pattern :



derka

[Maxoumilitaria]

Thanks for the picture Derka !

[grantsmil]

Shortened HBT jacket

A shortened HBT jacket.

[overthetop]

IMO from the folds and curling of the pockets likely is a HBT. It could be a short 2 or long 4 pocket tunic. I owned newer HBT's that were dark blueish green, and some, after sun fading and washings, were very light green. Can't blame them for wearing these in the summer. A late issue Panzer Wrap was issued in HBT to those lucky to get one.

Great photos too!

Randy