Italian camo smocks??

[Paul Walmsley]

Anyone seen or got photos of genuine WW2 Italian camo WSS smocks? I'm no WSS expert so thought would ask you guys, the experts!
There's a discussion on "sixth division" board as to wether they existed (or maybe a few as field made items)

[Bobwirtz]

I've never seen a Waffen-SS Camouflaged Pullover Smock manufactured with the Italian camouflaged material. The only things I've seen in that pattern were field-made jackets, field-made field caps and the anorak (late war). I used to own a field-made jacket in the Italian camouflaged material. It had two breast pockets with buttoned flaps. The buttoned front had covered buttons and the bottom had a draw string. I bought it 1973 from Militaria, Inc. in Kearny, NJ for $98.50. It had a Bevo sleeve eagle machine sewn and original to the jacket and a pair of reproduction enlisted cavalry/motorized reconnaissance shoulder straps, which I later replaced with an orignial pair of SS-Unterscharfuhrer of Artillery shoulder straps. I bought a new made Italian camouflaged field cap manufactured with original material and no insignia figuring that was probably the closest I'd ever come to one. The only original one I've ever seen is the one that Max Wunsche is wearing in Normandy. But I've never seen a pullover camouflaged smock executed in the Italian camouflaged material, nor a zeltbahn or helmet cover. Before this material became available, the SS-BW had already discontinued manufacturing the smock, field cap and helmet covers (which were made from scrap materials left over from the smocks) and zeltbahns. Everything was changed over to the M44 dot camouflaged pattern uniforms made of HBT and polished cotton.

[francis006]

I also had a cover in italian camo found under the liner of an Army helmet ,for sure it was field made .

[Fred Fokkelman]

This cap is in my collection and original. The skull was onces removed and I replaced it.

[Fred Fokkelman]

Interior shot.

[Fred Fokkelman]

Last...

[Fred Fokkelman]

I have seen period pictures of Italian garments that looks like panzer combi's worn by the 12th SS Hitlerjugend division. But all I have encountered so far are tunics and trousers. I have a complete set made for Panzer or Assault gunners.

[Fred Fokkelman]

.

[Fred Fokkelman]

The trousers...

[Fred Fokkelman]

And a tunic I own.

[AGFA40]

i have seen it,kampgruppe max wunsche wear it also,there are a lot pictures of italian camo,cheers

[Bobwirtz]

Fred... Looking at the cap: the size marking inside would indicate to me that it was factory-made. On the other hand, this style of cap is not Waffen-SS. If you look at the factory-made camouflaged caps (in Waffen-SS camouflaged patterns), as well as the tropical caps, the SS model does not have that extra piece around it, the false pulldown earmuffs. The Totenkopf insignia on the front would have to be field-applied since factories were not authorized to put insignia on these. Interesting piece. Your jacket looks similar to mine; however, the front buttons on mine were concealed similar to that of the assault gun and panzer jackets. It also had a draw string on the bottom.

[nutmeg]

Helmet cover

Here is an Army helmet with a cover of Italian material, I got this directly from a vet in the 70s who served in Italy and Southern France.

[nutmeg]

inside

[Fred Fokkelman]

Fred... Looking at the cap: the size marking inside would indicate to me that it was factory-made. On the other hand, this style of cap is not Waffen-SS. If you look at the factory-made camouflaged caps (in Waffen-SS camouflaged patterns), as well as the tropical caps, the SS model does not have that extra piece around it, the false pulldown earmuffs. The Totenkopf insignia on the front would have to be field-applied since factories were not authorized to put insignia on these. Interesting piece. Your jacket looks similar to mine; however, the front buttons on mine were concealed similar to that of the assault gun and panzer jackets. It also had a draw string on the bottom.

Bobwritz, the cap had clear traces of a skull and I have seen this kind caps been worn by Waffen-SS members. I also think this cap must have been factory made according to the construction. These caps are more rare than the SS camouflage ones IMO so any references is difficult.
Do you have some pictures of your Italian camouflage to share?