Opinions on interesting LW shirt

[tubist73]

Hello all,

I recently picked up this LW Hemd in Germany but after comparing it to many examples on the forum and elsewhere online it does not seem to match the regular styles. I mainly collect Allied clothing and, based on original British and American shirts I own, most things look, feel (and smell) authentic. I would be grateful for your expert opinions on this shirt.

First, an overview of the front and left pocket. There is a clear mark where a badge was pinned onto the pocket front.

[tubist73]

Next is the inside and outside of the collar. The original shirt had a removable collar but, at some point, a collar was sewn in place. There are stamps visible on the inside of the shirt - two numbers, one being 38, and I presume the maker, Elwega. There is also a square stamp on the outside of the attached collar which I cannot read.

[tubist73]

Here are the cuffs and shoulder.

[tubist73]

Next are the boards. They appear to be piped orange for signals and are well worn. They match on the outside but the inside materials are a little different.

[tubist73]

The boards are a little smaller than on a Fliegerbluse. Here is a comparison shot of each side by side. You can see the colour difference in the piping a little better.

[tubist73]

And lastly the eagle. This has obviously been re-attached or replaced at some point. There is evidence of damage or repair on the reverse of the shirt.

I believe it was not very common for LW shirts to have insignia attached but the boards certainly feel correct in this case. It would then make sense for an eagle to be present as well, but I doubt this particular one is the original.

I look forward to any comments - particularly about the cut of the pockets and removable collar - as I have not seen other examples like this.

Matthew

[Pierre]

I like it. As already said post war attached eagle as the pocket buttons. Traces of a removed cloth pilot badge. IMO a good original LW shirt in rather good condition compared to the ruins which can be found nowadays. Good catch

Pierre

[John Hodgin]

I like it. As already said post war attached eagle as the pocket buttons. Traces of a removed cloth pilot badge. IMO a good original LW shirt in rather good condition compared to the ruins which can be found nowadays. Good catch

Pierre

Agree. And yes, it had an eagle during wartime. Typically Luftwaffe shirts with pockets had eagles, those without did not.

[Harry]

I have a few issues with the shirt - is it me or does this shirt look like it was originally one with a detachable collar, ie an earlier shirt?? other features shuch as the two-button cuff would suggest this. This means the pockets may have been added. Of course, this may have been factory done with old stock.

[John Hodgin]

Of course, this may have been factory done with old stock.

Indeed, these were commonly modified.

[tubist73]

Thank you for the opinions so far. As said earlier the collar has definitely been added to what was originally a collarless shirt. And now that it has been mentioned, the pockets do look to have been added to the original shirt (I guess this explains why the buttons are different and why the pockets are not scalloped). Both the collar and pocket materials are an almost identical match to the main body of the shirt, but there is a slight difference in pattern and weave.

I have never seen an early LW shirt before, certainly not one with a detachable collar. Does anyone have an example they could show? And would the '38' stamped inside the collar be a possible date?

Thanks again for any input.

Matthew

[John Hodgin]

38 is the collar size Matthew.

[Jos L C]

Typically Luftwaffe shirts with pockets had eagles, those without did not.

I've seen those without with eagles ..

Jos.

[John Hodgin]

I have never seen an early LW shirt before, certainly not one with a detachable collar. Does anyone have an example they could show?

Found one at a Max years ago and passed it on to a friend. Try a search, and see what you find, a lot is already here.

Here is a superb example of a later shirt with original eagle.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...e+shirt&page=3

[John Hodgin]

And here you go, post 44:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...e+shirt&page=3

Searches are easy, use em.