Early SA SHirt

[pjm]

This is an interesting early SA shirt with typical flat silver buttons but appears never to have an RZM tag or insignia except the armband. Also has the shoulder strap cloth retainer loop. It has numerous period repairs, fading and wear.

[adlerfan53]

Looks nice. Wonder why there is no tag. Should be interesting to find out.

[Friedrich-Berthold]

Looks nice. Wonder why there is no tag. Should be interesting to find out.

The tag is probably worn and washed away, granted the state of wear of the shirt itself.


Here, as contrast, a tag in a high state of preservation. Especially so granted its cotton manufacture...

[pjm]

It might also be that the shirt predates the RZM controls.

[Friedrich-Berthold]

It might also be that the shirt predates the RZM controls.

Also a true statement, to be sure.

The imperial style buttons bespeak an earlier date. When did the buttons become gekoernt and where is the regulation, if any?

The RZM first emerged as a branch of the SA in 1928. The requirement to mark items emerged in the course of 1934/5.

[BOB COLEMAN]

I have a brownshirt of a NSKK officer that also has this unusual restraining strip under the shoulder board.

[pjm]

Thanks Bob. The cloth shoulder strap retainer loop probably was intended for political leaders' shirts. These may also have been purchased by SA/NSKK members.

My shirt has the typical flat silver SA buttons but never had collar tabs, piping (at least there's no indication on the collar) or a shoulder board.

To me, that, the fact that there is no tag or evidence of one ever having been on the shirt, and the extensive repairs would indicate an early shirt.

[BOB COLEMAN]

Paul-
I checked out my shirt and found it was also unmarked except for a washed out laundry tag in the neck. I had also forgotten that the belt hooks were not the typical style found to seat in pockets but were surface sewn to the inside of the shirt waist. Poswsibly, these shirts are examples of clothing originally manufactured for use in the African Colonies.
I have attached a picture of the shoulder strap loop.

[adlerfan53]

If these were intended for the African colonies then wouldn't that make these some of the original pieces from the early days of the party? Very cool and informative thread.

[laurens]

The restraining strip was used to keep the crossbelt on the shoulder from the time the SA doesn't wear a shoulderboard.
When the shoulderboard was introduced the simply attache it without losing the strip.
You can see it often on period photo's.