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 uniforms and headgear did evolve during the interim years many items used during the Third Reich would still have been quite recognisable to the Imperial sailor. The standard issue, winter underwear set for EM/NCO’s consisted of natural, off-white, long pants and a long sleeve crew neck T-shirt. The winter underwear sets were distributed to all EM/NCO’s for the winter season, (September 15^TH to April 15^TH) and were to be returned to the units storage depot at the end of the season for reissue the following year. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms including underwear and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the OKK, Offizier Kleiderkasse der Kriegsmarine, (Officer’s Clothing Account of the Navy). Although enlisted personnel were issued their uniforms and underwear from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored items although the price may have been restrictive.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: White cotton/rayon blend material, long underpants with an HBT, (Herring Bone Twill) weave as feature a vertical, opened fly with two, vertically aligned, buttons positioned on the wide, horizontal waistband. The horizontal waistband has a horizontal fabric loop to either side of the fly designed for attaching the underpants to the interior of the outer pants. The waistband rides slightly higher in the rear with the typical "V" slash to the reverse center. The reverse waistband also has two, horizontal stitched eyelets to either side of the central "V" slash designed for fit adjustment tie tapes, but the tie tapes are absent. The underpants have two, vertical, reverse, tapering darts to the reverse and an additional two ,vertical, reverse, tapering darts to each side panel positioned just below the waistband. The underpants have no pockets. The underpants have slightly tapering, straight cut, cuffs with a dual-ply hem. The cuffs have a short, vertical, inside seam slash and dual, white, cotton tie tapes to each. The unlined interior has a dual-ply waistband. The left, front, exterior waistband is well marked with the black inkstamped grade or size, "II", within a circular border and the unknown initials and date, M.D. 1936", within a rectangular border. The underpants are in overall very good, unissued condition with a few small picks and pulls and light age toning. The two waistband buttons are the stamped, natural, alloy type and appear to have their original stitching. The underpants are roughly size 36" waist.

GRADE ****1/2                             PRICE $82.00