Waffenrock

[Briankaye]

I have recently obtained the book Waffenrock, by Tim Curley and Neil Stewart, and what an excellent publication, albeit incredibly heavy!
I have been trying to fathom out what trousers were normally worn with this Parade Tunic.
I’m sure I will be corrected if I am wrong, but it appears that NCO’s and EM’s normally wore Stone grey trousers, with Waffenfarbe piping.
The book states that Officers could wear either breeches or trousers, but doesn’t say whether either had any Waffenfarbe. The choice of which type to wear seems to be up to the officer concerned, but not sure about the piping.
Also, I understand that later on in the war, Field grey trousers were introduced. But the same questions emerge.
Has anyone got a definitive answer on this subject?

[pauke]

The definitive answer is most likely "They never did that.....oh yes they did!" which belongs to another member on the forum. Officers usually had stone gray piped trousers like the lower ranks. In instances where they wore breeches they might be piped, but most often not in my experience looking at photos and actual uniforms. I do have a set of black-piped breeches to a lt. col. of a Pionier unit, but feel this is an exception to the typically used breeches. If one had the money it wasn't a problem. Piped field gray trousers exist-I have a pair-but they came with a late-war piped service tunic. Since the Waffenrock was not worn so much later on most any trousers would likely be worn with it IMO. You will probably hear different ideas here.

[pauke]

The definitive answer is most likely "They never did that.....oh yes they did!" which belongs to another member on the forum. Officers usually had stone gray piped trousers like the lower ranks. In instances where they wore breeches they might be piped, but most often not in my experience looking at photos and actual uniforms. I do have a set of black-piped breeches to a lt. col. of a Pionier unit, but feel this is an exception to the typically used breeches. If one had the money it wasn't a problem. Piped field gray trousers exist-I have a pair-but they came with a late-war piped service tunic. Since the Waffenrock was not worn so much later on most any trousers would likely be worn with it IMO. You will probably hear different ideas here.

[Briankaye]

Thank you, very helpful and informative. It’s what I thought as well, from pictures I’ve seen. Except Generals, of course allways had the striped and piped trousers and breeches? You mention Later war piped tunics, what are these? Any other info on this subject most welcome, who wore what, and when.
Thanks
Brian

[DonC]

Brian, the piped tunics could be worn though out the war years, unlike the Waffenrock (which was still worn anyway for weddings, etc. even after the wear-out date). Later-war trousers were sometimes done in field gray or captured Italian wool, and they could be piped as well if they were private purchase. Member TWS has a field-gray set of General's trousers in field gray. Here's an example of a piped service tunic named to Oberstveterinär Hans-Hugo Warnatsch:

[Johnny R]

Sorry that the book is too heavy. I will tell Tim and Neil and they will work on a paperback design for you

[Briankaye]

I didn’t say it was too heavy, I’ve already mentioned to Tim that it was a weighty volume, but what value for money. One of the nicest publications I’ve ever seen.

[Briankaye]

Thanks Don
That’s a lovely tunic, is that what they call a ‘walking out’ tunic?. Does it have the lovely curved seams on the back like Waffenrock and/ or with 2 buttons on the back?

[DonC]

Officially it is a Geschönte Feldbluse - a "decorated" field tunic. They did not have the two rear belt support buttons that the old-style tunics had, although I have seen a few with them for purely personal or sartorial reasons of the officer who had it tailored. By regs, they should not have them: http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ight=Warnatsch

[TWS]

Agree with pauke. I have examples of stone gray piped trousers attributed to officers. I also have some Feld Grau piped trouser examples that were probably used for walking out or office duties back in the homeland.

[TWS]

Member TWS has a field-gray set of General's trousers in field gray.

Yes sir! Besides being field-gray, mine are a lightweight version and so definitely not like standard parade trousers.

[Johnny R]

If you look in the book on pages 26-27 you will see the different versions of dress. This shows under which circumstances piped trousers were worn and by whom under regulations. These of course were not always followed especially later in the war.

[Tim Curley]

The members have done a thorough job of answering your questions.

[Briankaye]

Yes Tim, thank you for putting me in touch, a great site full of information. I can’t stay off it.
Regards

[Briankaye]

Piped Tunics

Hi Don
Do you have any more pictures of piped tunics you can put up, or pm me. Very interested in the different types and when used