I was wondering if the political uniform gurus could comment on this uniform, which I purchased at SOS this year. I have never seen anything like it, and would appreciate your input.

Another shot.

Another.

Another shot of the shirt.

Still another.

Final pic.

I saw this at the SOS--very interesting. It's a very high quality wool model 1939 brownshirt RZM Muster piece (I think the RZM Muster tag was intended to represent the shirt and not just the collar liner). I've never seen one with this sort of matching belt before, and I can't find it in my RZM materials. A prototype or extra accessory? Also, the interior of the shirt was lined with rayon--were there additional markings inside? I didn't have a chance to look into it.
Erich

Craig, I saw this at the SOS too and took pictures of it then. I was tempted to buy it, but not knowing what it was��.

Like Eric said, it could be a prototype item that was never produced and only displayed at some kind of trade show. (Eric, didn�t you buy this?)

Since the show, I have shown pictures of this around to several people and no one seems to know what it was/is�the belt style is the real mystery and how it seems custom made for that brown shirt.
I think the best place to try and find information about the item would be in a period tailoring publication like �Rundschau�. If it was produced, it should be in there�..but it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack and who has copies of all those issues anywhere to look at?

Also, the RZM probe tag does not mean that the entire ensemble was a RZM example, since that tag is only attached to a standard NSDAP sweat collar. So there is always the possibility that someone just �mated� that collar with this unique brown shirt�.

I agree ..that collar didn�t belong with the group. But the irregular stitching on that RZM tag, it�s location ..and the extensive wear/damage to the tag but no damage to the cloth around it ? That would make me want to spend a little more time looking it over. It looks like a partial Liner , any evidence of other Labels or holes for belt hooks (or slotted Buttons on back) ?
I would also think a prototype item would be more likely to have a Tailors Tag than just an RZM Label in place...unless it was a production item.
It's an interesting one

I would agree with Jeff's assesment. The lack of a tailor label would not concern me as the
R Z M frowned on manufacturer's placing their tradmark or label in goods they approved. Likely an item submitted for approval and not for production. It may have been intended for wear with the 4th pattern insignia. During the war, it would have been a way to conserve the use of leather for the belt worn with the brown shirt.

Hi Bob ..I think you're missing my point here. If the item was submitted for approval, why would they put an RZM acceptance tag in it before it had been approved and put into production ? ..if that was the case and it was being submitted for acceptance , I'd think just a Tailors Tag with the Company name would have been put in place...not both.
Also ...how many Political Shirts and Tunics have you seen with an RZM tag in that location? That's not a common place for it.
As I said , it does raise a lot of questions