Mint Heer M44 Tunic, Field Artillery

Product Description: This mint Heer M44 Tunic is an outstanding, untouched, virtually perfect example of this extremely desirable and scarce late war Army uniform jacket. This wonderful tunic is a factory made, enlisted issue piece, made of a typical, fairly coarse, late war German wool in a brownish “Feldgrau 44” shade. The chest of the tunic features a late war, final pattern, printed Heer breast eagle, which is a scarce piece of insignia. The breast eagle is factory machine sewn through the lining with straight stitching. The collar Litzen are the typical wartime final pattern generic type, made of machine woven rayon. They are factory machine sewn to the collar. There is no indication of any other insignia ever having been present. The slip-on shoulder straps are the 1940 pattern, with field gray tops. The red rayon piping on the straps indicates membership in an Artillerie unit. The shoulder straps feature wartime subdued rayon rank Tresse for the rank of Unteroffizier. There is no corresponding Tresse on the collar, which is correct by regulation for the M44 tunic. Inside, this mint Heer M44 Tunic is lined with typical late war gray rayon fabric. It’s well marked, with size stamps, an RB number maker code, and an “F44” depot acceptance stamp. The chest size is 84, corresponding to a US size 33, a small/medium size that will fit modern mannequins. The tunic has not been shortened or tailored in any way, and is complete with all of the original buttons. There is no mothing or other damage to this tunic, no rips or holes. All of the wool nap is still present on the fabric surface. More than likely, this tunic was never worn. This is a superb and near mint M44 field blouse, a typical garment as issued and worn by members of the Heer in the Wehrmacht. Every detail is textbook, and finding a better example would be impossible.

Historical Description: The Deutsche 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 swastika.

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