M2 hole M42 available in France for beaucoup $$

[Zauberflöte]

Here is a famous photo

But again, NOT a Schütze...

(Besides this Sturmann is a Dirlewanger soldier which also implies he very likely - but not necessarily - could have been degraded in rank, his age could fit this assumption as well).

[phild]

I'm trying to understand a couple of things if anyone can help:

Why do some think that the left pocket (and flap?) have been replaced?

Is there something that I am missing with the stitching or the inside photo with the old seam lines.....or is it the different shade and slight fabric difference?

If the later only, I have seen several later war SS tunics with slightly mis-matched pockets and or flaps.....that I know and all others who examined them knew were 100% from the factory like that.

I can not see at this point that the pocket and flap were actually replaced.

It does look to me (MAYBE) that the pocket flaps were period scalloped, They seem very shallow for a so-called M42 cut. I see this in a good many period photographs, particularly of SS NCOs later war.

[phild]

I will add that this tunic saw little wear and probably no real laundering as there is no nap wear to speak of and no wear lines to the HBT under the collar.

The insignia is hard to judge for this reason as there is no expectation that it would have worn in to the tunic. On the other hand if the original tabs had been hand tacked on, those on there now could be replaced with not much trace of the original showing underneath.

As for the rank......for me this wearer did not have a EKI! More so a screw back!.....I see some kind of minor award....perhaps from HJ or sports badge or RAD(?) and then either a wound badge or IAB as most....so rank my be fine.

It also looks too me like the sleeve length may have been shortened? Is that re-enforcing stitching found at the top of the cuff split, but this one about 1/4(!) as far up the sleeve?