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 for EM’s and a white shirt, jacket and pants 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. Although the colors white and field-grey were the official colors other colors were also utilized on a limited basis. 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. On entering Kriegsmarine service all personnel were assigned and trained for a specific career. These careers consisted of a wide variety of specialty trades and functions with some of the careers restricted to certain rank groups. On successful completion of the appropriate training, personnel were issued distinctive career insignia to be worn on the upper left sleeve of the uniforms. For EM/NCO’s the career insignia could be worn combined with the rank insignia or as separate insignia. Regulations dictated that the base color of the insignia was to match the color of the uniform it was worn on. Of Note: Rank designations were tied to the career the individual was assigned to and in this case the proper rank designation is Schreibersmaat.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Vertically ribbed, white cotton construction tunic features a vertical, five button, front closure with small fold back lapels and a lay down collar. The tunic has a single, un-pleated, patch pocket to the left breast and an additional two, unpleated, patch, hip pockets. The tunic has straight cut, non-adjustable sleeves with dual-ply, hemmed cuffs. The upper left sleeve has an NCO’s trade badge neatly handstitched in place. The trade badge consists of a roughly, 3 1/4" tall, 2 5/8" wide, vertically oval, ribbed white cotton twill base with machine embroidered, crossed, writing quills superimposed on a vertical anchor in cornflower blue cotton threads. The unlined interior has faint, black size inkstamps and an illegible black inkstamped manufacturer’s name. The interior also has a handwritten name by the nape of the neck. The tunic is in overall good condition with a few small picks and pulls and light age and usage toning. The reverse side seams both have vertical stitch holes where it appears the tunic was taken in at one time. The buttons are the gilt washed, stamped alloy type featuring a vertically embossed, fouled, anchor on a horizontally ribbed field encompassed by a raised smooth ring and a simulated twisted rope like outer ring. The buttons are the removable type secured by steel "S" rings. The tunic is quite small and is roughly a size 34" chest.

GRADE ***1/4                             PRICE $235.00