M44 SS battle blouse

[AmericanPatriot]

Polling for the collector community's perspective on the generic M44 battle blouse/jacket...

Specifically both Heer and W-SS drew from the same stores that late in the war. or in general on collecting M44s with W-SS collar tabs and sleeve eagle?

Just wondering if too many variables/questions/etc with a "W-SS M44" that would keep most collectors away?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Frank

[AmericanPatriot]

Would appreciate ANY comments. Thanks.

[CWP]

Here is my humble opinion. Although I know that there must be untouched SS EM combat tunics out there, I believe that these are exceedingly scarce and that they are generally not available for sale anyway. I view any SS EM combat tunic as being a "put-together." Having said that, I believe that there were SS M44 tunics during the war. I have seen many of them and I can not imagine that M44 tunics were exclusively Army issue. I believe that an SS M44 would be every bit as legitimate as any other SS tunic, save for the M43 with its distinctive SS cut.

Chris P.

[AmericanPatriot]

Thank you Chris. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to express your opinion. Frank

[Mike C]

Hello,

I would have no issue with acquiring a W-SS m44 tunic if the SS insignia was original, appeared original to the tunic and there was no sign of Heer insignia. I would be even more comfortable if the M44 tunic showed signs of being manufactured in a SS-BW factory - by virtue of stamps and material.

I would, with respect, suggest that Chris is being overly conservative when considering late war tunics. There are lots out there for the most basic of ranks and without cufftitles (a luxury at war's end). Your basic M43 or M44 tunic is available - and it is comparatively easy to confirm the authenticity of insignia (and whether it has been post-war replaced) and of course quality of the tunic itself. Chris is right however when considering late war tunics with high end unit cufftitles (which might have been added by a German tailor for a GI in 1948).

Mike

[AmericanPatriot]

Thank you Mike.
Frank

[Mr.Jerry D]

I know that there are many fakes of the M44 tunics (army or SS) as you can see at any of the larger shows, they all tend to look like the came from the same source, (I have heard they all came out of france). I was fortunate to find an army pioneer one at an estate auction that I know is real.

I have also spoken with dealers that were at european markets in the 80s where a few 'racks' of unissued M-44 tunics were sold, and I doubt that many of those are still left unadorned. (much like no decaled M40 helmets, or SD cufftitles, blank canvases for the scheise artists...)

But as mentioned if the insignia was right, put on right, and they showed legitimate signs of wear, I would have no problem with an SS one. I wish I could find one actually...

[AmericanPatriot]

Thank you Jerry,
Frank

[pimpf]

I do believe that with some luck and patience still possible to obtain original M44 tunic. No doubt they were issued to WSS utins and there are some well known period photos with soldiers and officers dressed to such tunics. I was lucky to obtain one for me from local sources. Unfortunately it has no original attached insignia (the eagle was attached by me) but has a clear evidence that SS collar patches and sleeve eagle were there, plus tunic shows good wear. Here are some shots.

[pimpf]

Liner is HBT

[pimpf]

Markings ...

[pimpf]

And the underside of the colar with well visible trace of removed SS CP.

[werner]

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[werner]

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[werner]

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