Panzer M40 tunic

[all1knew]

Hello all,

I just wanted to see if the insignia on this tunic looks reapplied. I ask because of the Panzer litzen shouldn't necessarily be on an M40 like this. I understand the insignia is machine-sewn but would like to some additional feedback if at all possible.

In a private conversation, it was also suggested to me that the pockets have been moved up, which is somewhat of an anomaly for this rank.

Any additional information and opinions would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

William Kramer

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[CWP]

Branch-piped Litzen were discontinued in 1938. I find it very unlikely that any M40 tunics left the factory with branch-piped Litzen. It is true that some later tunics, during the war, were upgraded with earlier type insignia, for fashion reasons.

The lower pockets have definitely been moved up and sewn down.

Oberschütze is a very low rank. Soldiers were supposed to be automatically promoted to Gefreiter after a few months. Some soldiers had the rank of Oberschuetze while in training. It was unusual for a soldier to retain this rank for long, though it did happen. But an upgraded tunic with retailored pockets and pre-war insignia for an Oberschütze seems to me to be pushing the envelope of plausibility.

Many uniforms had insignia removed and replaced during wartime wear and use, for many reasons. But for what it is worth, my gut tells me that both the Litzen and the breast eagle were collector restored to this piece.

[jacquesf]

I can say with 100% certianty that the holes are original to the tunic.

[CWP]

The numbers inked in the liner are in my opinion typical of Russian capture items coming from museum and theater sources. These are generally found with restored insignia.

[Adam S.]

I can say with 100% certianty that the holes are original to the tunic.

LOL. Original yes. But wartime or post war?

[NickG]

Regardless of the insignia application time frame , still a nice tunic as presented!

[cpmil]

Panzer M40 Tunic

OK now I am back at work where the tunic is located I can probably answer some questions.

1. Re reapplied insignia there is absolutely no other stitching or stitch marks that I can see under magnification or black light.

2. The pockets show no signs of being moved or tampered with.

3. I understand the Russian marking comments however as in the front picture of Scotts amazing Panzer books, you can see George Petersen with Panzer items and they are as found with no replaced insignias. Also not all Russian captured tunics had insignia removed and I am not totally certain that the markings are Russian.

In my opinion a really nice battle worn piece and of course as always my total 100% satisfaction guaranteed on this piece.

Lastly it came from a great source who also does a tremendous amount of study and research on each piece before selling. (I know I know no one is perfect. LOL)

Hope this helps.

Thanks, Mark.

[Johnny R]

The bottom pockets look to have been repaired but they have not been moved. The bags look to have been shortened. The tunic might have been reconditioned and then reissued.

[nippo]

In this thread we can see another example of jacket with apparent not correct collar tabs.
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...=596590&page=2

A M36 with depot date 1940 with collar tabs with branch color.
Here, nobody said that collar tabs and eagle are reapplied.
What do you think? Maybe also Cpmil's jacket has eagle and collar tabs originally sewn.....