I get very lucky now and then in collecting, and yesterday was one of my days. Long story short is a mutual friend introduced me to a guy that collected a few things back in the 70's. He was looking to sell them so we arranged a meeting. In the group was an SS tunic and SS M42 helmet. Both are very interesting and totally original. Here's the tunic....
It's a Heer M41 that was issued to the SS. The sleeve eagle is factory sewn (missing a wing tip) and the tresse is original to the tunic too. The insignia is real but hand sewn rather poorly so I'm considering that to be restored to the piece. There is clear evidence of a sleeve shield and a very strong possibility of a cufftitle. Both areas have nap and the shield area has a few remaining threads. There was never a Heer eagle or tabs on this piece. The award loops (a long medal bar or close combat plus two pocket awards) are original.
The tunic has all kinds of repairs, and luckily none are in the front. There are two big patches on the sleeves (one looks wartime the other I'm not sure) and all the button holes in front have been re-done. This thing saw a LOT of use and was probably sent in for repairs and re-issued -- if it had a sleeve shield it would make sense that they got "sloppy seconds." My 5th SS vet friend got a re-worked Heer M36 tunic in 1944 and he hated it because it looked like crap. I think this tunic may have been a vet bring back that had all the insignia (minus the eagle because it's damaged) and tresse removed to be sold piecemeal because of the condition of the tunic. People back in the 60's just didn't know what this stuff would be worth one day and didn't care about the historical value.
Anyway, repairs or not these are super rare and I'm really proud. Have a look:
It's a Heer M41 that was issued to the SS. The sleeve eagle is factory sewn (missing a wing tip) and the tresse is original to the tunic too. The insignia is real but hand sewn rather poorly so I'm considering that to be restored to the piece. There is clear evidence of a sleeve shield and a very strong possibility of a cufftitle. Both areas have nap and the shield area has a few remaining threads. There was never a Heer eagle or tabs on this piece. The award loops (a long medal bar or close combat plus two pocket awards) are original.
The tunic has all kinds of repairs, and luckily none are in the front. There are two big patches on the sleeves (one looks wartime the other I'm not sure) and all the button holes in front have been re-done. This thing saw a LOT of use and was probably sent in for repairs and re-issued -- if it had a sleeve shield it would make sense that they got "sloppy seconds." My 5th SS vet friend got a re-worked Heer M36 tunic in 1944 and he hated it because it looked like crap. I think this tunic may have been a vet bring back that had all the insignia (minus the eagle because it's damaged) and tresse removed to be sold piecemeal because of the condition of the tunic. People back in the 60's just didn't know what this stuff would be worth one day and didn't care about the historical value.
Anyway, repairs or not these are super rare and I'm really proud. Have a look:
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