SS tunic mystery

[jacquesf]

I need some help and opinions on this jacket that I had in my collection for
about 20 years when I just started to collect. There are some serious
mysteries on this that I would like to get some answers on and I guess it
would make for a good discussion.

Background: When I first got the tunic it looked to me like a privately
tailored high quality summers tunic for an army officer. I then found out
that the collar and shoulder insignia where from WW1, but the agreement was
that the construction of the tunic was of WW2 vintage. When I removed the
insignia (shoulder and collar tabs), I found that the tunic has been
retailored (the two top button holes had been very professionally closed)
for what I assumed for civilian wear. I also saw a mark on the sleeve that
I that thought looked like a shield. I then restored it with WW2 insignia
for display purposes.

I then removed the insignia again today and had a good look at the tunic
again. That is when I saw the two clear indentations and stitch marks for SS
collartabs on the collars and the line on the sleeve actually is the indent
of an SS sleeve eagle. (it never was for a campaign shield. )

I would appretiate some opinions and advice on this one, especially with
regard to future restoration options. Jacques

[jacquesf]

right collar

[jacquesf]

left collar

[jacquesf]

sleeve with eagle

[jacquesf]

Back of collar

[jacquesf]

button closed and other stiching on back of the lapel

[jacquesf]

top button closed

[jacquesf]

My interpretation is:
Originally WW2 SS tunic.
End of war SS insignia removed and jacket retailored for civilian use.
Restored mistakenly with WW1 insignia and WW2 army breast eagle.

It is very similar to the officers tunic in this pic.

[afrikasandman]

Well call me captain obvious, but she is definatly of officer quality. I would say based on shadowing its clearly a former SS tunic. Collar tabs and sleeve eagle say it all in my opinion. Think she needs to go back to her SS glory. JMHO. Matt

[wewelsburg]

This is definately NOT an SS or SD officers tunic like the ones you compare to.The tunics pictured in the SD pic have slash lower pockets and french cuffs as do all SD and SS open collar tunics that I know of.
Also the cut of the lapels is completely different notice where the 2 meet they butt in picture.This type are at angles.
Another point is this tunic has 3 buttons showing below lapels,Sd/SS have 4 showing and none under.
My guess is this is some sort of post war police or west german tunic.My guess is maybe at some point post war someone added SS insignia,and then removed it along the line,iF the shadows and stitch are actually fitting for such insignia.
How are the buttons marked?

[Will Brown]

The cut of the collar lapels is the immediate giveaway. Typical of the postwar army tunics.

[jacquesf]

Thank you for the comments. I think they have clarified part of the mystery. The tunic ended up being a Bundeswher tunic, but it did not start it life being one. It conforms 100% with pics of the Bundeswehr summer tunics I looked at.

From the picture below it is clear that the tunic has been extensively retailored to become a post war BW tunic. The circles show where the front panel of the tunic's lapel has been replaced to cover the two botton holes that is still evident on the back of the lapel (indicated with dots. The tailoring is of high quality and very professional.The back of the lapels has lots of little stitches to support the new open lapels above the four buttons.

The question still remains what is was before it was changed. It makes no sense to make these intricate and expensive changes to a jacket if it was not meant to be worn. Jacques

[jacquesf]

BW summers tunic

[jacquesf]

I was advised by a highly respected collector, very knowledgeable on tunics, that in his opinion it is a pre 1945 Dutch made 5 botton ss officers tunic that was possible period modified to an open collar tunic. His observations and what I see in hand correlates a lot. He also agrees that it is not a bundeswehr tunic.

[jacquesf]

As per request, inside and collar. Note the dagger slit bottom right