BACKGROUND: German Naval uniforms and headgear were based on traditional designs that date back to the creation of the Prussian Navy in 1848, and although the uniforms and headgear did evolve during the interim years, many items used during the Third Reich would still have been quite recognizable to the Imperial sailor. The white work/drill uniform was originally introduced into the Prussian Navy and was carried over into the Reichsmarine and eventually the Kriegsmarine with minor variations. The white work/drill uniform for EM and Junior NCO ranks consisted of a white shirt and pants and a white jacket for the Junior NCO’s and was utilized as the standard uniform for shipboard, barracks and infantry drill duties. Regulations of February 5^TH 1940 discontinued issue of the white work/drill shirt for Junior NCO’s to be replaced with the blue jumper shirt. Of Note: In 1940 a field-grey version of the work/drill uniform was introduced which was also used as a summer duty uniform. Originally enlisted personnel didn’t wear any insignia on the work/drill tunics but NCO’s did. After 1940 when the work/drill uniforms were utilized as a summer duty uniform EM’s also began wearing insignia on them. In late 1941 or early 1942 the work/drill jackets were modified with the addition of breast pockets. This example is an early, Weimar era Reichsmarine NCO’s work tunic.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Light weight, three quarter length, field-grey cotton construction work tunic features a vertical, five button front closure with a single metal hook and eye positioned at the forward neckline and a small stand-up collar. The tunic has a patch pocket to the upper left breast and an additional two, patch hip pockets. The tunic has straight cut, non-adjustable sleeve cuffs. The small stand-up collar has six, horizontal rows of reinforcement stitching. The unlined interior is well marked on the right breast with the black inkstamped manufacturer’s initials and date within a rectangular border, "H.B.A.B. 1922", and "B.A.K. 30. 9. 22" ,within a "boxy" "T" shaped border indicating, Bekleidungs Amt Kiel, (Clothing Depot Kiel September 30^TH 1922). The interior also has additional orange markings that appear to include the owners name, "Bruchmüller", and a personal roster number consisting of, "O58 T." with a horizontal separating line positioned above "16". The personal roster number indicates owner was the 58^TH person inducted into the navy in 1916, and was a technical personnel assigned to the Baltic Sea station. The tunic is in overall very good condition with minimal age and usage toning. The buttons are all the matte grey washed, stamped alloy type and feature a vertically embossed, fouled anchor on a pebbled field encompassed by a raised ring. The buttons are the removable type secured by circular rings and they all retain the majority of their matte grey wash. The tunic is roughly size 42" chest.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $125.00