Heer M43 tunic - Pioneer Feldwebel

[PaulW]

Hi all, I just thought I'd show my latest addition to the collection, hope you like it!

I'll post the dealer pictures first, these are from Mike Davis at the Virtual Grenadier (great service as usual), and then add a few of my own. The tunic on his website:-

http://www.virtualgrenadier.com/sale_item.php?iid=4959

His text (in case the link disappears one day, he sums it up nicely!

"Heer Pionier Feldwebel M43 service blouse, completely original service used 'textbook' example, constructed of mid war quality German wool and lined in pale grey colored rayon, stamped with RBNr, size markings and M.44 depot, with internal belt support straps of webbed materials, bandage pocket and collar liner buttons of pressed paper, cuff buttons are of grey colored glass, the blue painted pebbled steel buttons are originally sewn and no buttons are missing, with steel hook and eye at the throat, having four patch pockets with straight pocket flaps, the factory applied insignia included straight machine stitched subdued collar patches and subdued woven national emblem applied in the 'zip and flip' style with the lower edges being straight machine stitched, the matched pair of slip on shoulder straps are the later style constructed of darker and coarser wool, these have synthetic piping and rayon reinforcing materials, both collar and shoulder straps have matching non metallic NCO tresse and straps appear to be original to the garment, there are original loops for two breast badges and an EKII ribbon is sewn to the buttonhole, garment with some age yellowing and overall light wear, the two rear belt hook support hole positions have areas of abrading, a lower corner of the right breast pocket has a small abraded area, otherwise there are no other damaged areas or alterations"

Although Luftwaffe enlisted uniforms is probably my main interest I quite like the later war Heer uniforms too. I have an M42 and an M44 feldbluse, but there was a yawning chasm in between (an M43...)

Regards, Paul

[PaulW]

2

[PaulW]

I like that the RB number "0850" for Munich matches the Depot "M" for the Munich Depot, issued from there in 1944. The stamps are a little faded but all are readable which is a big plus for me.

[PaulW]

The thread securing the eagle and collar patches is the same as that used to make the tunic. It seems as though the collar tress 'swerves' around the right collar patch very slightly, which I don't think was ever moved after the factory application.

The age toning on the collar tress and the shoulder straps is a near perfect match, so I think it is a possibility that the straps might be original to the tunic, you never know!

Also shown is the inside of the tunic where the eagle is, it doesn't go through the lining, which is fairly typical for tunics up until the M44, although I believe that there are exceptions to that rule.

[PaulW]

5

[PaulW]

There is some remaining paint on the buttons which is the late-war blue-grey colour, as seen on quite a few M44's and some M43's. The General Assault badge is the cupal type, my first, I love it!

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Paul, as ever, you always buy good quality items.

Very nice indeed.

Cheers, Ade.

[PaulW]

I added the ribbon bar to make him look like an "Old sweat" who served in the "Flower wars", at least 24 years old!

It joins my M42 and and M44 tunics.

Drei Kameraden!

[PaulW]

It doesn't have to be Pioneer! I got these Artillery NCO boards from Mario Hiscoll. The age tarnish is a close match to the collar tress, but not as close as the Pioneer boards, which I think just might be original to the tunic?

Also, the General Assault badge can stay on for an Artillery man!

Regards, Paul

[PaulW]

Hi Paul, as ever, you always buy good quality items.

Very nice indeed.

Cheers, Ade.

That's very kind Adrian. Thank-you!