BACKGROUND: The old style service tunic was introduced for wear in the Reichswehr during the short lived Weimar era, and was to be replaced with the new Officers field blouse after its introduction during the Third Reich with an unspecified wearing out period. The old style service tunic was quite popular with the older Officer’s which resulted in the wearing out period being extended to March 31ST 1942 for all Officers beneath the rank of General. Due to its popularity and in spite of regulations some Officers chose to continue wearing the old style service tunic for the duration of the war. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the army’s Kleiderkasse, (Clothing Account), system. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase their uniforms from the armed forces clothing depots or to privately purchase garments of higher quality. Although enlisted personnel were issued their uniforms from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored uniforms although the price may have been restrictive. The different branches of service within the army were allocated a particular identifying waffenfarbe, (Branch of Service), color with bright red being chosen for Artillery personnel. On the field blouse and service tunic the waffenfarbe was generally displayed on the shoulder straps/boards and the collar tabs.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nice quality, private purchase, field-grey wool/rayon blend construction old style service tunic with a subtle whipcord weave features a vertical, eight button front closure with dual metal hooks and eyes positioned at the neckline. The tunic has two, pleated, patch, breast pockets and two diagonally angled, slash, hip pockets, all with scalloped button down flaps. The right breast has a hand embroidered, Officer’s quality, breast eagle in bright silver/aluminum wire and bullion threads, mounted on a cut-out, blue/green badge cloth base. The eagle is neatly handstitched to the tunic. Left breast has original award loops for three breast badges Right breast has original loops for most probably a German Cross. The straight cut, non-adjustable, sleeves have deep, fold back French cuffs which are stitched in the upright position at both the inner and outer sleeve seams. The reverse of the tunic has a central, vertical, tail skirt vent with two buttons situated at its top edge. Shoulder boards look to be original stitching. Collar tabs look replaced/restored as you can see where there was another set on it at one time from stitching outlines on the back of the collar. Comes with an original 1935 pattern, officer’s dress aiguillette. Not original to the tunic as there is no button for it underneath the shoulder board. The interior of the tunic is fully lined in ribbed greyish/tan rayon with off-white, grey striped sleeves. The buttons are all the field-grey painted, pebbled, alloy type and most appear to have their original stitching. The tunic is roughly size 36" chest.