Waffen SS M40 tunic to a Sturmmann, 'Panzerjager'

[Fiore]

Hello all,

I would appreciate and and all opinions on this particular tunic, up soon for auction, and answers, if possible, to some questions. Namely:

I am aware of course that pink designates the waffenfarbe for Panzer units, but as this tunic is advertised for sale as 'Panzerjager' in particular, how can one be sure? As opposed to regular Panzer troops? Would Panzer units have attached infantry in the same manner as Panzerjagers, wearing M40 or other standard tunics as opposed to the crews' panzer wraps? Apologies in advance if I seem a bit confused (I am). Also, theoretically, if one were to try and acquire an EM/NCO's crusher cap to go with this, would it ideally have pink piping, or the more common white, which I understand was used by all W-SS units, and not just infantry?

Many thanks in advance, for your time and patience.

[JPhilip]

Hello,
I will not comment on collar tabs, sleeve eagle or sleeve chevrons as it's not my cup of tea, but from these photos the shoulderstraps are not WSS Panzerjäger, they look like Heer Panzertruppen as worn with the black Sonderbekleidung. I could be mistaking of course, but the tongue doesn't look like it's shaped like on WSS shoulderstraps. The Feldbluse itself is a genuine Feldbluse 1933 modified 1940 with a Heer acceptance stamp from the München military depot (in 1941 if i'm not mistaking).
Thanks

[Fiore]

Hello,
I will not comment on collar tabs, sleeve eagle or sleeve chevrons as it's not my cup of tea, but from these photos the shoulderstraps are not WSS Panzerjäger, they look like Heer Panzertruppen as worn with the black Sonderbekleidung. I could be mistaking of course, but the tongue doesn't look like it's shaped like on WSS shoulderstraps. The Feldbluse itself is a genuine Feldbluse 1933 modified 1940 with a Heer acceptance stamp from the München military depot (in 1941 if i'm not mistaking).
Thanks

Many thanks for your reply, JPhilip. So this could theoretically be a Heer tunic re-issued to W-SS? I enclose some better photos of the shoulder straps, both sides, in case you're interested.

[Vocht]

Lovely Bevo SS runic tab!

[JPhilip]

Many thanks for your reply, JPhilip. So this could theoretically be a Heer tunic re-issued to W-SS? I enclose some better photos of the shoulder straps, both sides, in case you're interested.

Hello,
We know that before the middle of the war, the WSS was issued with Heer uniforms (and shoulderstraps ?). This seems to be a Heer Feldbluse issued to the WSS, not reissued, reissued would mean that the tunic saw service in the Heer before going to the WSS.
If there is no shadow of a breast eagle, it's a good sign for the tunic to be genuine WSS.
Below you can see a WSS shoulderstraps, note the tongue which is narrower than for the Heer ones.
Thanks

[Fiore]

If there is no shadow of a breast eagle, it's a good sign for the tunic to be genuine WSS.

JPhilip,

I just took another look at the listing, and it indeed says: A classic "3-hole" field tunic without any shadow of a removed breast eagle. In other words, it was truely worn by a Waffen-SS soldier.

So it seems to be a Heer issue to the W-SS, with at least an authentic Rune tab; I hope others can chime in on the other collar tab, sleeve eagle and Sturmmann chevron.

Overall, though, it seems to be good, as advertised - i.e. as a Waffen SS panzer tunic? Though it is advertised as 'panzerjager'.

[JPhilip]

Overall, though, it seems to be good, as advertised - i.e. as a Waffen SS panzer tunic? Though it is advertised as 'panzerjager'.

It is not a Panzer tunic, it looks like an original WSS tunic on which were added Heer Panzertruppen shoulderstraps here used to indicate a Panzerjäger soldier. Did the WSS use Heer shoulderstraps before issueing its own type, i don't know. Did someone add those shoulderboards thinking as they are black they were WSS Panzerjäger, i don't know. If you receive positive comments from specialists about WSS insignia sewn on the tunic, perhaps can you negociate it without shoulderstraps if you're not interested in Heer stuff. You can also believe that those shoulderstraps are on this tunic since it was issued and keep them....question of faith...

Due to the black color of the WSS shoulderstraps, only a few pipings from Heer shoulderstraps could have been used for a WSS soldier, pink, gold yellow, lemon yellow and twisted black/white, the rest of colors being coupled with Feldgrau wool. Twisted black/white is for Panzerpionier, i don't even know if the WSS had such a troop.
I hope for you that a WSS combat uniforms specialist chimes in...
Thanks

[Fiore]

Yours is just the kind of help and advice I joined this forum to find. Thank you, sir, for your time and knowledge.

[JPhilip]

you're welcome, the only advice i can give you is WSS stuff is perhaps the most faked in the world, so before purchasing expensive items from this armed force, get books, get as much knowledge as possible before spending your most likely well earned money on something that could be crap.
And don't forget to post items here before the purchase, don't hesitate to ask for more photos from the seller if you think they're needed. The more photos you have, the better. It will help our members to help you out...
One last thing to never forget : advisors are not the payers
Thanks

[Crown]

As already stated, the collar tabs look spot on to me. The other insignia i am not as well versed in but they look correct to me.