BACKGROUND: The development of SS, Schutz Staffel, (Protection Squad), camouflage items was initiated by Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler in 1935 when he tasked the Reichsführung-SS, (National Leadership of the SS), to begin research of new camouflage patterns and garments for use by the fledgling SS-VT, SS-Verfugüngstruppe, (SS-Special Purpose Troops). In late 1936 and early 1937 the first SS camouflage garments were issued to personnel of the SS-VT Standarte Deutschland for field testing and evaluation. The first items evaluated were the Quarter shelters/ponchos, followed by steel helmet covers, face masks and smocks which were first delivered in late 1938. Originally the smocks were manually screen printed and due to the time consuming task of the printing only minimal quantities were issued until early 1940 when the machine rolled printing process was developed. By June 1940 over 32,000 camouflage smocks had been issued and distributed between four Waffen-SS units and another 30,000 smocks were expected to be issued by September of that year. The original M38 style smock underwent minor modifications in 1940 and twice in 1942. As the war continued the SS developed and introduced no fewer then ten assorted new camouflage patterns including the, "Plane Tree", camouflage pattern as originally developed in 1936, and utilized by SS-VT personnel until a new Plane Tree pattern was developed in 1940. The new 1940 Plane Tree camouflage patterns was produced in six subtlety different models that were utilized through-out the war. Of Note: Production of the camouflage smocks was discontinued in early 1944 and they were to be replaced with the newly developed M44 dot pattern camouflage uniform. Also Of Note: Although contrary to regulation it was not uncommon for personnel to alter or utilize unofficial garments according to their personal preferences and a myriad of unofficial modifications can be seen in period photographs. The modifications were so prevalent that the authors W. Palinckx and J. F. Borsarello even dedicated a chapter, (Chapter 10), of their book, Camouflage Uniforms of the German Wehrmacht exclusively to altered non-regulation garments and again authors, M. D. Beaver and J. F. Borsarello dedicated a chapter, (Chapter 10), of their book, Camouflage Uniforms of the Waffen-SS to modified garments. While each soldiers was expected to care for and do basic maintenance on his issue uniform garments and issued a "housewife", kit which would contain sewing items to repair damaged garments most of the individuals would not have been accomplished tailors and each Company in the Waffen-SS would be assigned a tailor and a cobbler who could perform the larger or more difficult alterations.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Waterproofed cotton duck and ribbed, tan cotton twill, construction, field-made variant, three quarter length, pullover smock with the reversible, machine roller printed "Plane Tree #5 and 6", camouflage pattern. The top half of the smock is in the "Plane Tree #5 and 6" camouflage pattern while the bottom, tail skirt half is in ribbed, tan cotton twill with a central, horizontal machine stitched seam. The camouflage pattern has distinctly different colorations to the summer and autumn sides, with the summer side being in shades of brown, tan and green and the autumn side in shades of brown, tan and ochre. Both camouflage colorations are still quite strong and crisp. Although the camouflage pattern is reversible the construction of the smock renders it non-reversible with the spring camouflage to the exterior. The printed pattern numeral, "6", is clearly visible to the upper, reverse, right sleeve and the internal, right sleeve cuff of the exterior, spring camouflage side and the printed pattern numeral, "5", is clearly visible to the upper, reverse, right sleeve of the interior, autumn camouflage side. Both the spring and autumn sides also display cutting alignment lines indicating the smock was manufactured at the ground line of a bolt of material. The smock features a small, lay down collar and a central, vertical, lace-up front plaquet. The plaquet runs vertically down the front center of the smock from the neckline to the waist and has five, stitched, eyelets to either side for the closure tie string. The twisted, green cotton, tie string is included. The smock has two, non-pleated, patch, breast pockets with straight edged, button down flaps. The horizontal, top opening of each pocket extends to the interior permitting access to the underlaying uniform pockets. The straight cut sleeves have three small, vertical tapering darts and a horizontal cuff with an extended tab with a single, stitched, button eyelet and a corresponding button to each. The shoulder panels each have a single stitched eyelet, presumably intended for shoulder strap buttons, although no fabric retaining loops or shoulder straps are present. The bottom, ribbed tan cotton twill, tail skirt section has a small, vertical, slash to each side seam. The interior nape of the neck has a small, white, rayon tag with the red, machine woven, owner’s initials, "RB", handstitched in place. The smock is in overall good condition with light age and usage toning and a fair sized tear to the reverse collar seam and upper back. The buttons are the molded tan bakelite type and appear to have their original stitching. The quality of the workmanship would seem to indicate the smock was manufactured by a professional tailor. The smock is roughly a size 42" chest. Interesting, field-made variant.

GRADE ***1/2                             PRICE $3,482.00