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. Beginning in 1935 Kriegsmarine land based personnel, primarily Coastal Artillery units, were issued field-grey uniforms that followed the fundamental designs of the army uniforms with minor variations. The most easily identifiable differences in the Kriegsmarine EM/NCO’s field-grey field blouses and the army field blouses was the Kriegsmarine issue always had the collar in field-grey material as opposed to blue/green fabric in the early army field blouses, the front hip pockets were the horizontal slash type as opposed to the patch type utilized by the army, there were only two sets of eyelets for the belt support hooks instead of four sets as with the army version and the interior was fully lined including the sleeves which were not lined in the army pattern. Of Note: These variations were official regulations although they were not always adhered to. Officer 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: Field-grey, wool/rayon blend construction field blouse features a vertical, five button front closure with a single metal hook and eye positioned at the forward neckline. The eagle is neatly handstitched to the field blouse but may be restored. Original award loops for one breast badge. Rank chevron to the left sleeve. Tunic has two pleated patch front pockets with scalloped button down flaps on the chest and two slash hip pocket. The field blouse has two sets of three, vertically aligned, stitched eyelets situated at either reverse side panel, at the waistline for the belt support hooks. The belt support hooks are absent. The field blouse has the, post May-1940 pattern, field-grey wool construction pointed tip, slip on shoulder straps with a machine embroidered, winged artillery shell superimposed on a vertical anchor in golden yellow cotton threads. The slip on shoulder straps fabric retaining loops and buttons are intact. The lay down, field-grey collar has a ribbed, cotton twill backing to the reverse with the typical zig-zag reinforcement stitching. The collar features machine woven collar tabs with field-grey rayon litzen with an interwoven, pale grey center stripe and golden yellow branch of service stripes. The collar tabs are original machine stitched directly to the collar. Nice complete liner. Excellent size and French makers marking. The front closure, exterior pocket and the shoulder strap buttons are all the correct, field-grey painted, sheet metal Coastal Artillery type with an embossed, fouled anchor on a pebbled background field and a raised outer edge and all look to have original stitching. The field blouse is roughly size 32" chest. Shows the expected period use and wear but overall nice condition.