BACKGROUND: The old style white tunic was introduced for wear in the Reichswehr during the short lived Weimar era, and was to be replaced with the new pattern white summer tunic as introduced on July 9^TH 1937. These white summer tunics were an optional uniform item for Officer’s and were only permitted to be worn between April 1^ST and September 30^TH annually. The old style white tunic was intended for wear in barracks during garrison training and sporting events while the new, (1937), style was intended for wear as a walking out uniform, Informal dress, or for viewing or participating in certain sporting events. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the army’s Kleiderkasse, (Clothing Account), system. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase their uniforms from the armed forces clothing depots or to privately purchase garments of higher quality. Although enlisted personnel were issued their uniforms from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored uniforms although the price may have been restrictive. The different branches of service within the army were allocated a specific, identifying, waffenfarbe, (Branch of Service Color), with light blue being chosen for Transport personnel. On the old style white tunic the waffenfarbe was generally displayed on the shoulder boards. Of Note: Although the Transport branch of service may sound like a mundane assignment it was of the utmost importance as they were the personnel responsible for the control of all supplies to the forward troops including all vehicle fuel, and lubricant requirements as well as ammunition, animal feed and rations.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nice quality, subtly textured, light weight, white cotton construction tunic features a vertical, six button, front closure with a single metal hook and eye positioned at the forward neckline and a small stand-up collar. The tunic has four, pleated, patch, front pockets with scalloped button down flaps. The upper right breast has dual, small, vertical thread loops for attaching a separate metal breast eagle. The nickel/silver plated, frosted white finished, die stamped, metal alloy construction breast eagle features outstretched wings and is clutching a wreathed, canted, swastika in it’s talons. The nickel/silver plated, frosted white finish is retain about 85% with light surface spotting. The eagle shows nice detailing and the reverse is a crude mirror image of the obverse. The reverse has a crimped, soldered hinge, a thin round horizontal pin, a soldered catch and a soldered, vertical, attachment prong all intact. The eagle has no visible manufacturer’s markings. The reverse of the tunic has a small, central, vertical, tail skirt slash. The tunic has straight cut, non-adjustable sleeves with dual-ply, hemmed cuffs. The tunic has slip on shoulder boards in matte silver/aluminum Russian braid mounted on light blue wool waffenfarbe bases. The shoulder board’s narrow light blue wool retaining tongues and the retaining buttons are intact. The small stand-up collar features three rows of horizontal reinforcement stitching. The tunic has no collar tabs as per regulations. The unlined interior of the tunic has dual-ply reinforcement panels to each side of the front closure. The tunic has no visible size or manufacturer’s markings. The tunic is in overall very good condition with light chafe wear to the cuff and collar edges, minor age and usage toning and a couple of small tears under the shoulder boards. The front closure and exterior pocket buttons are all the silver washed, pebbled sheet metal, removable type secured by metal "S" rings while the shoulder board buttons are the ordnance blue painted, pebbled alloy type secured by screw posts. The tunic is roughly size 40" chest.

GRADE ***3/4                             PRICE $965.00