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 Kriegsmarine utilized a white variety of pants and breeches including the standard issue, navy blue, straight legged pants, white dress, tropical and drill pants, brown tropical pants and reed green and field-grey field pants. The pants were manufactured with either the standard, vertical, button fly or with the unique, naval style, fold down, front flap. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and headgear 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 headgear from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored items although the price may have been restrictive. Generally speaking officers bought nice quality, private purchase, uniform items but they could also choose to buy their uniforms directly from the military clothing depots.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nice quality, deep navy blue wool/rayon construction straight legged, long pants feature the unique, naval style, front closure in the form of a horizontally rectangular, fold down, front yoke panel with four stitched button eyelets to the top edge with corresponding buttons positioned on the exterior waistband. The front yoke panel folds down from the waistband revealing two, small, horizontal, overlapping, inner panels with two, vertically aligned, buttons on the right side panel and dual, corresponding, button eyelets on the left side panel. For a secure closure the vertically aligned, inner, buttons would be button first then the front yoke panel would be buttoned up onto the waistband. When in the closed position the front yoke panel has opened, vertical, slashes at each side allowing access to two, internal, slightly diagonally angled, slash, front pockets. The reverse of the waistband has stitch holes where it appears horizontal fit adjustment straps had been applied and removed. The wide, straight cut, non-adjustable, cuffs have had the dual-ply hem removed with stitch holes and a few loose threads remaining as evidence. The interior waistband is lined in black rayon while the internal pocket bags are in a black, cotton/rayon blend material. The pants have no visible size or manufacturer’s markings. The pants are in overall fairly good condition with minor age and usage toning, light to moderate nap wear through-out and a couple of small moth nips. The buttons are the molded black bakelite type and most appear to have their original stitching. The pants are roughly size 30" waist.

GRADE ***                             PRICE $256.00