BACKGROUND: The first HBT, (Herring Bone Twill), garments introduced for use by Luftwaffe EM/NCO personnel were the raw grey type followed by blue/grey drill and black work uniforms that were all designed to conserve wear and tear on the wool and wool blend uniforms. Although the drill and work uniforms were designed for different functions both garments were almost identical in cut and construction. The HBT garments were favored by the troops and eventually began to be worn in the field as a summer uniform. Generally the HBT garments utilized as the summer combat blouse followed the basic modifications of the standard issue wool garments. Regulations of September 27^TH 1943 abolished the blue/grey and black HBT uniforms replacing them with a reed green HBT uniform as utilized by army personnel. The alteration to the reed green HBT uniforms was a time and cost saving measure eliminating the need for different colored uniforms for Luftwaffe and Army personnel. When utilized as a drill or work tunic the garments were issued with no insignia with only EM/NCO sleeve rank and collar trim insignia were applied to donate the wearers rank although the regulations were not always adhered to. The drill uniforms were utilized for the duration of the war with minor modifications. Although the colors of raw grey, blue/grey, black and reed green were the official colors other colors were also utilized on a limited basis.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Black cotton/rayon blend construction tunic with an HBT, (Herring Bone Twill), weave features a vertical, five button front closure with a single, metal, hook and eye positioned at the forward neckline and a lay down collar. The tunic has two, unpleated, patch, hip pockets. The tunic has straight cut, non-adjustable sleeves with dual-ply, hemmed cuffs. The reverse of the tunic has a central, vertical, tail skirt vent. The tunic has no insignia as per regulations. The unlined interior has a horizontal, tunnel looped, black cotton, fit adjustment draw strap with an HBT weave, positioned at the waistline. All five ersatz, black, pressed cardboard collar liner buttons are intact. The interior right breast panel is well marked with faint, white size inkstamps, and the manufacturer’s name and location that appears to be, "Neumüller A. Herrimann Nürnberg. The interior right breast panel also has an additional white inkstamp that includes the date, "41", with an illegible, clothing depot identifying letter. The tunic is in overall very good condition with a few small picks and pulls and minimal age and usage toning. The front closure buttons are all the removable, ordnance blue/grey painted, pebbled alloy type secured by steel "S" rings and retain all of their paint. The collar liner buttons are stitched in place and appear to have their original stitching. The tunic is roughly size 42" chest.

GRADE ****1/2                             PRICE $398.00