Hi to you all,
I am new to the forum, french speaking Historian who, as a hobby, keep a strong interest (for 25 years now) in German WW2 Militaria. I could not afford collecting real items due to my family obligations (I am a father of 4), but, as a reenactor, I've been assembling many repro uniforms and I do own a few orignal items (mainly helmets and fieldgear).
I saw the following so-called summer feldbluse (losely resembling an M40)on an on-line auction and it seems it will go for a very low price, mainly because it is poorly advertised.
Now, the seller being rather ignorant about the item he offers, I cannot decide if the item is real or not: there are only 3 BAD pix available and they are not helping me in identifying the tunic.
It has strange features:
The "summer tunic",as I said, is remant of an M40, with 4 pleated pockets. A "bottle green" wool collar, with the litzen on, is attached to it and the shape is of the long, pointed officer type. Material is unidentified, but I suspect it is an heavy cotton. I THINK I can see French cuffs, bt the pix are not clear enough to say it for sure.
The color now? Well, I've seen a lot of "sun faded' Summer tunics of all types in my life, but that one is bleached both outside and inside, which is kind of strange...unless it was (privately)tailored using such a light colored material - which is not following any regulation -.
There is apparently no lining of any kind, and that is unusual. No "first aid" pocket...
The inscrition on the "kragenbinde" attached to the green collar is reading "ARMEE 42"... Now, the word "ARMEE" (Army) was not used that much in WW2 Germany... was it? It became more commonly used in Post War Germany (NVA: National Volks Armee) but, was not a "trendy" expression in 1942...
However, the tunic's original owner is said to
have been an officer in France... IF the item is genuine, it could be:
1- A privately tailored uniform with the word "Arm�e" printed by the french maker (ARMEE - pronounced "ar-may") is the french equivalent for Army...
2- A French colonial military uniform converted and adapted for an Heer officer, with the addition of a German green collar.
3- A German custom-made item.
I exclude the possibility of an official issued Summer tunic, simply because, as far as I know, it does not fit any known pattern.
Or... it is a fake... (as simple as that)
The Heer breast eagle traces (it was removed)is not meaning much: that must be one of the oldest trick used by the fakrs and crooks on the WW2 German militaria market: the "shade" of a well known insignia is supposed to PROOVE you are dealing with an UBER original item...well...
Ok, so ladies and gentlemen, I would REALLY appreciate your input on that one, so I know if I should invest a few $$ on it or simply let it go
Thanks in advance for your kind help!
Michel
