BACKGROUND: HBT, (Herring Bone Twill), uniforms were originally introduced on April 1ST 1933 to be utilized as a drill uniform and save wear and tear on the service uniform and field blouse. Regulations prescribed that the drill uniform was the basic uniform to worn by all new recruits for most daily functions. Originally the drill uniforms were constructed in natural, unbleached cotton with an HBT weave that proved especially durable but impractical due to easy soiling. On February 12TH 1940 the color of the drill uniforms was altered to a more practical reed green coloration. When utilized as a drill tunic the garments were issued with no insignia with only EM/NCO sleeve rank and collar trim insignia applied to donate the wearers rank. The drill uniforms were utilized for the duration of the war with minor modifications and in early 1942 a modified drill tunic was introduced for wear as a summer combat field blouse, and followed the basic modifications of the standard issue field blouse through-out the war.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Mid-war, (circa 1942), reed green, cotton/rayon blend construction field blouse with an HBT weave, features a vertical, six button, front closure with a single metal hook and eye positioned at the forward neckline. The field blouse has four, non-pleated front pockets with straight edged button down flaps. The breast pockets are the basic patch type while the hip pockets are the saddlebag type with expanding side panels. Breast eagle, collar tabs and rank chevron all look to be original application to the tunic. Comes with a nice pair of original Infantry EM slip on shoulder straps. Main button’s (S-Ring) type. Nice size markings with a 1944 Berlin depot marking. Roughly a size 38 chest. Nice.