KM M33 and M40 Tunics Issued to Helferin

[djpool]

I've been researching KM Helferin uniforms and it appears that standard male M33 and M40 tunics were issued to females. Since I am not a KM collector I was interested in hearing from the experts. First here are 2 photos of what I believe are M33 tunics in wear. I found a thread from the 1990s that mentioned a M33 tunic with a 1942 depot stamp. There was no question about the tunic only the stamp since the general consensus was these tunics were withdrawn from wear in the late 1930s. Maybe the tunic was acquired by the depot in 42 for issue to Helferin. Just a thought.

Anyway an addition thoughts or pics are appreciated. Jim

[djpool]

Here is what I believe is a KM M40 tunic.

[djpool]

No thoughts?

[km-spain]

Jim, IMO the use of the feldbluse by the Marinehelferinen was advanced the war, so they used both tunicc, KM style and Heer style when they had no access to these, so IMO the pictures in the first post are Heer M40 tunics.

[djpool]

Thank you. Interesting observation. Its almost impossible to distinguish the Heer M40 from the KM 33 except for the holes for the belt hooks. The Heer M40 had them at the front while the Navy placed them on the side (for those that may not know). The first picture isn't clear but it appears that there are support hooks on the side. Of course I suspect any tunic, whether it was Heer or KM, worn by KM Helferin are now fully decked out in male insignia. Jim

Heres a comparison with the second picture.

Jim, IMO the use of the feldbluse by the Marinehelferinen was advanced the war, so they used both tunicc, KM style and Heer style when they had no access to these, so IMO the pictures in the first post are Heer M40 tunics.

[km-spain]

Jim, absolutly agree with you, but IMO these are not KM Helferinen, i have seen this same style of uniform used by men, wering open collar feldbluse with dark collars, and KM style blue sidecap, but i can not remember the organizatión the belonged to, I will look for it.

In these pictures the belt hooks were placed not on the back side as in the M33 and KM style feldbluses, but in the front/side, see pictures.

[km-spain]

Also these tunics have no holes for the collar button, so they have only 4 buttoned buttons and not 5 as a regular feldbluse.

[djpool]

The 4 buttons is intriguing. As you mentioned maybe the tunics are not Heer or KM, or they are modified. If they aren't KM Helferin I would be interested in finding out who they belonged to. I've sorta figured out the types of uniforms worn by Heer and LW Helferin. The uniforms worn by KM Helferin still have me shaking my head. Jim