tunics with two or three hook holes .... what's real???

[pep]

hello
I'm new in SS tunics field.
ever dealt with iron crosses, heer tunics and documents. lately interested to find an SS tunic to add in my collection. reading a lot in this forum.

bla, bla, bla ... my question is most jackets you find in the market has 3 holes for equipment hooks. some collectors say that the only real SS tunics has 2 holes. can anyone afirm that SS did wear a lot of heer clothing stuff or were they just some units and majority of tunics for sale in the market are restored ones.

surelly this question has been placed too much times. but, sorry. I'm new to this field and allways heard about to be extremely cautious with this tunics.

[Palmenmuster]

You will find a lot of original SS jackets with 3 holes.
Best regards, Tom

[John Pic]

Here is some helpful info. I hope....

1. Original SS M42-M43 tunics were made with two belt ramp holes.

2. The SS utilized Heer M36-M40 5 button front tunics early pre war and during the early war period..and througout when possible.

3.RARELY and I emphasize that, was the 6 button field tunic worn that was issued to the HEER.But there are existing photos of its use.

4.Officers often wore privately tailored higher quality tunics that had 6 button fronts just like heer officers, so that rule only pertains to factory made field tunics.

5. Early SSVT units were issued tunics cut differently than Heer tunics but at first glance might appear to the novice to be a Heer M36-40 tunic.

6. As a rule generally..if I encounter an Heer M36-40 tunic badged up to be SS I consider it highly suspect...since tunics came from the factory with the breast eagles on them they had to be removed for the SS insignia to be aplied..this naturally scars the wool either slightly or drastically depending on how long an insignia was on there. If you take one of these tunics into a pitch dark room and hold a UV light about three feet away you can see eagle ghosts clearly on near mint tunics on older ones worn by the SS soldier in the field its very difficult. The source of the tunic is where you will find reassurance otherwise you have something lending itself to much scrutiny. Hope that helps.

[herrgeezer]

As pointed out, original Waffen-SS tunics bear both two and three hole for the combat belt hooks. Tunics with both three hole and two holes for the belt hooks are well faked.

There are many, many questions you should ask to determine if a tunic is indeed an original pre-1945 tunic? Some might included ... Has the tunic been artificially aged? What is the difference between the tunic lining material of originals and fakes? Is the SS insignia original to the tunic? Does the tunic show any traces of having been a Heer tunic before having SS insignia appiled? With the price of any tunics these days you will wanted to be well prepared before handing over thousands of dollars to purchase one.

I suggest the Mike Beaver three volume book set, "Uniforms of the Waffen-SS" and "FELDBLUSE: The German Army Field Tunic 1933-45" by Jean-Philippe Borg.

Also just as important look to this forum for help and research.

Good luck.

[NickG]

and sometimes you will find SS and Heer tunic with 2 holes because these tunics were tailor modified! Shortened in length which was fashionable ("best dress" tunics) and the skirt pockets moved up (a little higher) which would block one set of holes, so with out close examination such a modified tunic would appear to be a (factory) 2 hole tunic...

[besslein]

here is my m40 Waffen SS tunic all orginal,three holes,but a early one from "Reitz" 1941
later tunics made by "SS' are with two belt holes- m42 and m43 tunics.

[Anders S]

M43

[bnz. 42]

here is my m40 Waffen SS tunic all orginal,three holes,but a early one from "Reitz" 1941
later tunics made by "SS' are with two belt holes- m42 and m43 tunics.

Nice tunic
Here is mine 3-hole 1000% old-fighter SS

[besslein]

Nice tunic
Here is mine 3-hole 1000% old-fighter SS

nice one the are much more rare vs two holes models

[pep]

THANKS so much for your comments.
great and detailed information provided.
...
I took a brief look on the three schiffer volumes about SS uniforms from a friend. but, too much general and high ranking tunics that not much interest to me and rare to find and few information about EM, NCO tunics more attractives to me and easy to come by.

any other seriuos reference available with much information about EM-NCO SS tunics??

[Anders S]

THANKS so much for your comments.
great and detailed information provided.
...
I took a brief look on the three schiffer volumes about SS uniforms from a friend. but, too much general and high ranking tunics that not much interest to me and rare to find and few information about EM, NCO tunics more attractives to me and easy to come by.

any other seriuos reference available with much information about EM-NCO SS tunics??

I would recommend the search function in this forum.

[merdock]

NCO tunics more attractives to me and easy to come by.

don't think the above is true pep.
Merdock