What do you think about this M 43 ?

**Meme32** · 05-28-2018, 08:13 PM

Dear members,

Please le tme share with you some pictures of this M 43 Tunic.
I think it is a good WWII one.

Your opinion is welcome !

Many thanks

Best regards

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 05-28-2018 08:13 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**RichieC** · 05-28-2018, 11:12 PM

Nice wool officer's example.

Little differentiation between wartime and early postwar as I feel that this is not factory made, but made in a small sewing shop from older material. It's showing little to no wear, so IMO, it was not used in combat.

The wound stripe has most likely been added more recently than not. The boards are pre-1958 warehouse surplus released in the late 90s/early 2000s.

Of course, all the above comments are: IMO.

But I really like it in any case. I also have one that is very similar.

Good find.

**Meme32** · 05-29-2018, 06:04 PM

Hi RichieC.

Thanks for your comments and sharing your opinion on it.

I am now looking for a M35 belt for this tunic !

Best regards

**Kohima** · 06-01-2018, 09:47 PM

The look of the fabrics used and the style of construction details (with the exception of the buttonholes), hints at ‘British-made’... or, perhaps, lend-lease cloth.
Impossible to say for sure without close-up examination.
Very nice find indeed!
Well done,
Bob

**Meme32** · 06-02-2018, 05:35 AM

Thanks for your comment !

I am now looking for some equipments to put it on display...

**RichieC** · 06-02-2018, 05:17 PM

The nap of the wool seems a bit too coarse for both U.S. Lend-Lease or British. Also, the colour. U.S. wool is more of a mustard color and British is more greenish.

**Kohima** · 06-03-2018, 08:41 AM

Yep, upon reviewing the photos, I think I must agree with regard to the apparent coarseness... though it, and particularly the colour rendition, varies wildly in the supplied photographs (the biggest problem with indoor lighting).
It was just a thought. I have a couple of British-made Officers buttons (by J.R. Gaunt), with red enamelled infill to the stars, and rather like the lend-lease stuff. Maybe wishful thinking...
I also have a lovely pair of Artillery Officers’ breeches, cleverly fashioned from a pair of US mustard wool trousers. Quite a tailoring job!
Still, I’m rambling now. Either way, it’s a very nice Gym.
I got the ‘well done’ right.!

**RichieC** · 06-04-2018, 11:16 PM

I'd love to see the buttons with the enameled stars.

Sounds very interesting, especially to a buttonphile like me!

**Kohima** · 06-05-2018, 08:44 AM

By all means, Richie...
I am away from home this week, but shall hoof them out (if I can remember where the heck they are) and post a couple of images when I get back.
Cheers,
Bob

**Kohima** · 11-07-2018, 11:16 PM

Hi Richie!
I finally stumbled upon the buttons, then couldn’t remember which thread it was mentioned in!

Anyway, I had misremembered slightly, insofar as there is only one with the enamelled infill (unfortunately, as a pair would look great on a Mundir). The other appears British-made, due to the remains of a maker’s name on the reverse, which seems to have been largely ground off (perhaps during a repair job, or simply poorly struck in the first place).

By the way, the Starshi-Serzhant epaulettes were merely the first that came to hand, used purely to hold the button in place to photograph.