H095585 ISSUE EAR PROTECTORS. (Ohr Schützen)

BACKGROUND: After the devastating winter of 1941-1942 on the Russian front the German army found that it was drastically under equipped with cold weather garments to withstand the severe cold and a wide variety of improvised garments including a broad assortment of donated civilian garments were utilized as a temporary solution. To rectify the situation the OKH, Oberkommando des Heeres, (High Command of the Army), began testing heavier winter clothing in the spring of 1942 to develop suitable garments for the Russian front. Numerous winter garments and headgear were developed and issued and included assorted warmth retaining, toques, fur caps, hoods and ear protectors. The ear protectors were a standard issue item and were distributed to all EM/NCO’s for the winter season, (September 15TH to April 15TH), with other winter garments and were to be returned to the units clothing depot in April for storage, repair and cleaning to be reissued the following September. Originally Officers and senior NCO’s responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and headgear were required to purchase the new winter garments until regulations of December 1942 extended the issue winter clothing to all ranks in the colder theatres of operation. Although the ear protectors were functional they impaired the wearer’s hearing and were relatively unpopular as a result. Of Note: For a photographic example of this style of ear protector in wear see, J. Halcomb’s & W. P.B.R. Saris’s book, Headgear of Hitler’s German, volume 1, top right photo on page 81, or C. A. Lee’s book, Soldat volume 1, page 78.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Dual-ply, field-grey wool construction ear protectors are roughly, 27" long, with a roughly, 4" wide, oblong oval ear "pads" near each end and a 1 3/8" wide, 8 1/2" long central section. The ear protectors have two rows of reinforcement stitching to all the outside edges. Each end of the ear protectors have a roughly, 8" long, 1/2" wide, grey rayon tie tape with an HBT, (Herring Bone Twill), weave. The narrow central section would be worn on the top of the head positioning the ear "pads" over the wearer’s ears with the tie tapes secured beneath the wearer’s chin. One side of the central section has a faint , black inkstamp "2", indicating size medium. The ear protectors are in overall very good condition with minor age and usage toning and a couple of small areas of light moth grazing resulting in small spots of lost nap. Scarce winter clothing accessory.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $159.00

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