Italian SS uniform picture study

[NickG]

We all know that the Italian Waffen SS used locally made and modified Italian army tunics, such as the officer pattern examples shown below.

[NickG]

Italian army

Here's a picture from 1945 of an Italian (pro Allied) soldier (or partisan) wearing a US Army M41 field Jacket, modified for Italian use on the Allied side.
Note rank breast chevron and star collar insignia.
Obviousy not SS related... but I'm showing it because of the next image!
(which proves everything was worn and on both sides in Italy!)

[NickG]

Waffen SS use

Now here's the same US M41 jacket worn by an Italian Waffen SS officer, so strangely enough adapted for SS use! Note shoulderboards + sleeve eagle (or is it a wrinkle?) + perhaps even collar tabs? See red arrows!

This image is out of Sergio Corbatti and Marco Nava's "Sentire-Pensare-Volare" book and shows Waffen SS troops of the "Debica" Batallion during the anti partisan operations in Northern Italy in 1944.
These are comfortable field jackets but I would not have expected its adaptation in the Waffen SS!
(underneath this US jacket he is wearing a full length zippered sweater of some sort! An officer who obviously cares more about comfort than proper "German" military appearance!!)

[Gary Wood]

here are few shots for you nick

[Gary Wood]

2

[Gary Wood]

3

[Gary Wood]

4

[NickG]

Paratrooper

Great images! WOW!
I love the collarless paratrooper tunic (fashionable, popular with many RSI troops) in post 4, modified with (early) SS rank insignia, in red still!

Am I right that the earlier example of exotic clothing is indeed a US Army M41 field jacket? What else could it be?

[Gary Wood]

5

[Jean-Loup]

Imagine the way we collectors would react if that M41 with SS eagle on the sleave came up on the collector market!!

[Gary Wood]

Is there any regulations to the wearing of the sleeve eagle? some seem to wear them on the left sleeve some on the right.

Same with the rank sometimes on both collars sometimes not?

[Robin Lumsden]

Is there any regulations to the wearing of the sleeve eagle? some seem to wear them on the left sleeve some on the right.
Same with the rank sometimes on both collars sometimes not?

I think the Italians flicked the Vees at convention!

Made it up as they went along.

[Gary Wood]

I think the Italians flicked the Vees at convention!

Made it up as they went along.

Very good

I have also seen a photo where the eagle is worn on the left sleeve as well as on or above the left breast pocket?

[Marc Shaffer]

Imagine the way we collectors would react if that M41 with SS eagle on the sleave came up on the collector market!!

I imagine you'll have that reaction in the not so distant future... keep watching Ebang!!

[Robin Lumsden]

A smart Italian.....................