UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories German Military Uniform Forum Tropical/Summer officer tunic private purchase tunic

Hi Guys, I have here a very nice private purchase officers tropical/summer tunic that I am about to buy, I like many of the details of this tunic although there is not a lot of ware, there is some ware to the traps of use. The m36 collar shows a lot more ware than the tunic along with the ek2 ribbon they probably have come from another tunic to give it a more tradional look. My main concerns are the way the eagle has been applied..does the stitching look ok from the inside of the tunic? I would of thought it would have a zigg zagg reverse stich like the front.
secondly the material used on the interia front edge (splinter type pattern)I have been told has been used on many reproductions does this look correct? My general feeling is the uniform is period but if this fabric is indeed a known product that fakers use then this tunic would have to be a complete bogus rebuild with original insignias.
I would appreciate all oppinions
Regards, Greg

back

eagle

reverse of eagle

inside lining

BACK OF COLLAR

SHOULDER PADS

INTERIA

POCKET FLAP

Interia 1

Hello Greg, I will tell you what I know about this tunic.

It was purchased by a friend of mine in New Zealand from an advanced American collector who is a respected member of these forums. He had owned the tunic for approx 25 years and had purchased it from a US-Army buddy of his who got it from a American veteran of the merchant navy. This veteran got the tunic in Naples in 1944 by trading with some GI's who had some stuff up for barter. The collector who sold it to my friend would have liked it have been a DAK tunic but did not think it was. He did how -ever admire the way the eagle had been put on like a DAK tunic over the pocket and close to the button hole.

I was lucky enough to have it at my house for a couple of nights and look at it. There was nothing that set off red-flags with me. It compared nicely with my summer/tropical tunic and I have a breast eagle like that brought back from Italy by a New Zealand soldier who was in 23 Battalion.

IMO it is a nice original tunic from a straight American with experience but I look forward to hearing what others think as to why it may or may not be right.

Best regards, Chris

Hi Chris, This tunic has a lot to like and admire about it. It appears to me to have started it's career as a 1st pattern DAK tunic and later was customized for use by an officer with the addition of the 'stand&fall' continental officer collar. The eagle is typical of officer/NCO early waffenfrock eagles on a tannish wool backing. Are the buttons the removable type with the 'S' ring retainers? Also, how about the 'selvedge' of the material making the center seam of thback of the tunic and I would think there would be some issue stampings on the interior as IMO this started as an issued tunic. Looks great.

Hi Gregg, Sorry, I should have addressed my responce to you as it is your tunic. Can we see the 'splinter' pattern material that you mentioned in the interior and the eagle attachment stitching looks OK to me. Any evidence of a previously applied eagle? I also now notice the addition of the French cuffs. Any evidence of the original cuff stiching? There is indeed some fairly convincing tropical type repro material out there so one cannot be too careful.

Hello Mike,
Thanks for your responce, initialy befor getting my hands on this tunic, I also thought this a modified 1st pattern Dak tunic. But there are know Belt hook holes, no evidence that I can see of a previous eagle being applied. Bottom pockets are without bellows and there is no evidence that the pockets have been moved from the front to the sides where they are now. Buttons are not the removable type. Ofco**** this may of been converted/modified at the factory level as the fabric and styal very much have that dak appearance. There is plenty of salvedge in the rear seam. One thing to note is there are numorous tucks giving it a very tapered taylored fit (There was know fat on this guy thats for sure). Interestingly it appears two more tucks were added later as they are in a darker thread and not the white that has been used throughout the tunic..perhaps even to make it more fitted or this guy lost even more weight. The cuffs have definately not been added. One other thing is the top pockets have a slightly more cantered appearance almost Austrian like. I will do some more pics of the interia soon.

Thanks again Mike for your thoughts
Regards Greg