Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a WW2 German Infantry officer tunic and appears to have been tailor made but unfortunately there is no tag or markings present. Officers had to supply their own uniforms, and they were usually obtained from private tailors, as is the case here. This fine tunic has been sadly stripped of awards and badges that were once present. The tunic itself is in good overall condition but it does have minor mothing marks along the shoulders, which is expected for this type of material.
 
Approximate measurements are:
Collar to shoulder: 7”
Shoulder to sleeve: 24”
Shoulder to shoulder: 18”
Chest width: 17”
Waist width: 19”
Hip width: 22”
Front length: 30"
 
The tunic itself is made of a heavy weight field gray wool, that would have been appropriate for both field and service use. The front closes with fiver silvered pebbled buttons, typical for wartime manufacture. The Army breast eagle is hand embroidered in aluminum bullion, and is hand stitched to the chest in a fashion typical of wartime German tailor work. The collar tabs have dark green bases piped for Infantry and are machine applied; there is no sign of previous tabs ever having been applied.
 
The Infantry officer shoulder boards each have a two gold number roman numeral “IV” cyphers and are for the rank of Oberst, or Colonel. They are neatly and tightly applied. The exterior of this officer tunic is clean, retaining virtually all of the original wool nap, but does show some minor fading or stains to the front right chest area. The only award left on the tunic is the Ost Front “buttonhole” ribbon, denoting his service in the east during the Winter of 1941-42. There are placement marks for a medal/ribbon bar and other awards but are unfortunately not included.
 
Also included are trousers or riding breeches with classic silhouette and suede reinforcement in the crotch.
 
The inside of this officer tunic is fully lined with artificial silk, as is typical, and exhibits lots of neatly done hand sewing. This uniform makes for a fantastic display.
 
The Heer, the army of the German military during the Third Reich, was established in 1935. Over the next 10 years, German Army troops wore a huge variety of uniforms. Enlisted men generally wore uniforms issued from military depots. Most enlisted soldiers wore wool trousers and a tunic with four external pockets, known as a Feldbluse (field blouse). Before the war, soldiers also were issued a walking-out tunic, with flashy insignia, called the Waffenrock. Officers wore the same general uniform styles, but as officers had to supply their own uniforms, they usually wore tailor made versions. There were also myriad varieties of specialized uniforms worn by certain units or in specific situations, from the stylish black wool “wraps” worn by crews of armored fighting vehicles, to the drab HBT work uniforms. There were tropical and summer uniforms, and camouflage smocks for combat troops. For troops operating in winter climates, there were long wool overcoats, fur clothing articles, and padded jacket and trousers sets. In 1944, a new uniform was introduced, featuring a short jacket with only two external pockets. Most but not all German Army uniform jackets bore the Heer emblem of an eagle holding a swas.
 
Approximate Measurements
Collar to Shoulder: 9”
Shoulder to Sleeve: 20”
Shoulder to Shoulder: 17”
Chest Width: 16”
Waist Width: 17”
Hip Width: 19”
Front Length: 28”
Inseam: 16”
Waist: 32”