Two questions about German tunics (of officers) and reliable dealers

[Alter Musketier]

Dear all,

I have collected German and other helmets. Now, I think about "to give them some fudament" by looking for an original German tunic wiht original sewed insignia (to be honest it was an old wish and now it has come up again ).

However may I ask you about reliable dealers in the EU. I think it's Espenlaub militaria and ???


May I ask you about German officers tunics too? According to Laurent Huart and Jean-Philippe Borg: Feldbluse. The German soldier's field tunic 1933-45. Histoire et Collections, 2007, p. 117 p., German officers wore other rank's tunics on the battlefield for reasons of camouflage. So they didn't wear on the battlefield but for walking out the officer's service tunic with cuffs and the opening for the dagger sling, maybe made from a finer cloth like garberdine. I am confused because I thought these service tunics were worn all the time, in combat too?

With best wishes
alter musketier

[Adrian Stevenson]

It was all done to money. Some things never change!

Officers were reluctant to wear expensive tailor made tunics in the field as the war progressed. So many bought enlisted men's tunics from the Quartermaster and had the tailored as a cheaper option.

Cheers, Ade.

[reneblacky]

The one I have is made from Italian cloth and is tailored into an officer style, 44 marked with EM jacket traces

[HPL2008]

By a regulation of 31st October 1939, combat troops officers in duty positions up to and including regimental commanders were even required to wear issue-pattern - i.e. enlisted ranks' type - uniforms in the field. These uniform items could be drawn (against payment) from unit stocks.

Sometimes these pieces were tailored up (for example fitted with sleeve turn-ups or altered to provide a better fit), sometimes they were worn as they were.

However, the above regulation was not universally obeyed and officers very often wore their smarter tailor-made uniforms even in the field.

As Ade said, what was worn would often depend on the officers' financial possibilities. A young Lieutenant from a working-class background would be more hesitant to ruin his expensive bespoke uniform than an old-school Colonel from a wealthy family.

[Friedrich-Berthold]

By a regulation of 31st October 1939, combat troops officers in duty positions up to and including regimental commanders were even required to wear issue-pattern - i.e. enlisted ranks' type - uniforms in the field. These uniform items could be drawn (against payment) from unit stocks.

Sometimes these pieces were tailored up (for example fitted with sleeve turn-ups or altered to provide a better fit), sometimes they were worn as they were.

However, the above regulation was not universally obeyed and officers very often wore their smarter tailor-made uniforms even in the field.

As Ade said, what was worn would often depend on the officers' financial possibilities. A young Lieutenant from a working-class background would be more hesitant to ruin his expensive bespoke uniform than an old-school Colonel from a wealthy family.

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Andreas is always right.

[Alter Musketier]

Dear all,

Thank you very much for your answers and informations!

With best wishes
alter musketier