K000195 COASTAL ARTILLERY EM/NCO'S LONG SLEEVE TROPICAL SHIRT. (Tropen Hemd)

BACKGROUND: German Naval uniforms and headgear were based on traditional designs that date back to the creation of the Prussian Navy in 1848, and although the uniforms and headgear did evolve during the interim years, many items used during the Third Reich would still have been quite recognizable to the Imperial sailor. The German navy also had a long tradition of brown and white tropical/landing dress that was worn in hot climates with the white uniform also serving as a walking out dress. The tradition was continued through the Weimar Reichsmarine, (National Navy, Circa 1919 1933) era and in 1929 the introduced new brown and white tropical/landing dress uniforms with stand up collars. In 1937 the Kriegsmarine introduced new style brown and white tropical uniforms with lay down collars. With the impending entrance into the North African campaign in late 1940 the Kriegsmarine developed another new tropical brown uniform independently from the Heer and Luftwaffe, but retained the 1937 pattern white uniform. Included with the 1940 pattern tropical brown uniform were service tunics, field blouse, shirts and both short and long pants. Originally the tropical shirts were the pullover style with a four button front plaquet but later issue shirts were altered to include a full button up front closure. As with the continental shirts the tropical shirts were worn by all ranks and usually included the shoulder straps/boards as an indicator of rank and the national breast eagle. Regulations dictated that collar tabs were not to be worn on the shirts. The tropical uniforms were classed as Sonderbekleidungsstücke, (Special Articles of Clothing), and were only issued to personnel serving in tropical climates. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and headgear and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the OKK, Offizier Kleiderkasse der Kriegsmarine, (Officer’s Clothing Account of the Navy). Although enlisted personnel were issued their uniforms and headgear from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored items although the price may have been restrictive. Generally speaking officers bought nice quality, private purchase, uniform items but they could also choose to buy their uniforms directly from the military clothing depots.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Early pattern, light weight, tan cotton construction, long sleeve, pullover shirt with an integral lay down collar. Shoulder boards and shoulder board buttons have been removed. Original metal eagle with three original looped attachment threads. Buttons are all restored. Interestingly there is an outline of a “cloth” EK1 that was sewn to the left chest at some point. Roughly a size 44 chest.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $

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