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H068457 MODIFIED NCO'S M43/M36 STYLE FIELD BLOUSE. (Feldbluse M43/36)
BACKGROUND: The development of the M36 field blouse can be traced back to April 1933 with the introduction of the first pattern field blouses which were a departure from the cut and style of tunics utilized in World War I. From its introduction until 1936 the field blouse underwent a couple of small modifications designed to enhance its performance, appearance and longevity. Modifications to the 1933 pattern field blouse began in December 1934 when the original field-grey basic cloth collar was altered to a field-grey badge cloth for a better appearance. In September 1935 the collar was altered again from the field-grey badge cloth to dark blue/green badge cloth. The final pre-war modification to the field blouse occurred in December 1936 with the addition of a partial lining to the interior breast and upper back panels to increase its wear-out time. This example is some what of an anomaly in that the exterior has all the characteristics of the M36 field blouse with a blue/green badge cloth collar, and pleated pockets with scalloped button down flaps while the interior has the characteristics of the M43 field blouse by eliminating the separate internal belt support hook suspenders and replacing them with short integral straps as per regulations in April 1943. In fact the field blouse is actually a M43 model that has been altered to look like an M36 field blouse and the alterations appear to have been period applied. Of Note: Wearing a M36 field blouse in 1943 would certainly give the impression that the wearer was an "alte Hase", (Old Hare), or veteran soldier as opposed to a green recruit. 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) and on the field blouse and service tunic the waffenfarbe was generally displayed on the shoulder straps/boards and the collar tabs.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Modified, issue, field-grey wool/rayon blend construction M43 field blouse with a blue/green badge cloth collar, features a vertical, six button front closure with dual brass hooks and eyes positioned at the forward neckline. The second, top, front closure button is absent and the second, top, front closure button eyelet has an inserted and handstitched Russian Front Medal ribbon. The field blouse has four, pleated, patch, front pockets with scalloped button down flaps. Interestingly the pocket pleats are just simulated. The right breast has an M39 pattern, machine woven national eagle, with outstretched wings, clutching a wreathed, canted, swastika in it’s talons, in pale grey, rayon threads on a cut-out, woven, blue/green rayon base. The eagle is restored to the tunic and is machine stitched through the liner. The field blouse has four sets of three, vertically aligned, stitched eyelets with one set situated at either side of the front closure and two to either side of the back panel, at the waistline. The eyelets were designed for the belt support hooks. The belt support hooks are absent. The back panel has two, vertical, tapering darts and a short, central, vertical, tail skirt vent. The straight cut sleeve cuffs each have a vertical slash to the outside seam with dual fit adjustment buttons to each. The field blouse has the shoulder strap retaining buttons and fabric loops intact but the slip on shoulder straps have been removed. The field blouse has a lay down, blue/green badge cloth construction collar with bright, silver/aluminum, diamond patterned, NCO’s tress machine sewn to the forward edge and the EM/NCO’s, general issue collar tabs as introduced on November 26TH 1938 for wear by personnel serving in all branches of service. The somewhat unusual, machine woven, rayon collar tabs feature light, field-grey, litzen on a blue/green rayon base with the base showing through as the branch of service and center stripes. The collar tabs are machine stitched to the collar. The interior of the field blouse is partially lined in grey rayon, with the lining running down the front closure panel edges and to the upper breast and back panels. The right front tail skirt lining has a field dressing pocket with a single button closure. The lining also has four, vertical, grey rayon straps with four stitched eyelets to each, positioned to the reverse of the exterior belt support hook eyelets. The lining has stitch outlines to the reverse of all four of the exterior front pockets that appear to indicate they have been replaced/repositioned and the tail skirt also appears to have been shortened. The alterations all appear to have been period applied. The collar liner buttons have been removed with loose stitching remaining as evidence. The right breast panel lining is well marked with black size inkstamps, the manufacturer’s name and location, "Schmidt & Zöltsch München 22", and, "M43" indicating the field blouse passed through the army’s clothing depot in Munich in 1943. The field blouse is in overall very good condition with light age and usage toning and light to moderate chafe and nap wear to the cuffs and collar. The front closure, exterior pocket and shoulder strap buttons are all the silver washed, pebbled, alloy type and retain the assorted amounts of their silver finish. The cuff buttons are the molded grey bakelite type while the field dressing pocket button is the ersatz, pressed brown cardboard type and most of the buttons appear to have their original stitching. The field blouse is roughly size 40" chest.
GRADE ***1/2 PRICE $1,289.00
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