BACKGROUND: The development of SS camouflage items was initiated by Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler in 1935 when he tasked the Reichsführung-SS, (National Leadership of the SS), to begin research of new camouflage patterns and garments for use by the fledgling SS-VT, SS-Verfugüngstruppe, (SS-Special Purpose Troops). In late 1936 and early 1937 the first SS camouflage garments were issued to personnel of the SS-VT Standarte Deutschland for field testing and evaluation. The first items evaluated were the Quarter shelters/ponchos, followed by steel helmet covers, face masks and smocks. As the war continued various other clothing items were produced in the assorted camouflage patterns. Originally the camouflage patterns were all produced in the time consuming manual screen printing until the development of the machine roller printing in 1940. By the end of the war no fewer then ten assorted camouflage patterns had been developed and used by the SS. The M44 dot pattern camouflage field blouse and trousers were officially introduced for Infantry personnel on March 1ST 1944 as a cost saving measure, and were designed to serve double duty by replacing both the drill uniform and camouflage smock. It is believed that the distinctive panzer wrap tunic and pants were also introduced and manufactured in the M44 dot pattern camouflage at about the same time as the Infantry models. The two piece M44 dot pattern camouflage uniforms for panzer personnel were intended to replace the cumbersome, panzer camouflage coveralls. Originally the early models of the M44 dot pattern camouflage uniforms were manufactured from stockpiles of dual sided, camouflage material with an HBT, (Herring Bone Twill), weave and the field blouse came outfitted with shoulder strap retaining loops and buttons and a factory applied sleeve eagle. By July 1944 the inclusion of the shoulder strap retaining loops and buttons and the factory applied sleeve eagle were discontinued. The M44 dot pattern camouflage uniform was only suitable for warm climates and regulations dictated that the uniforms were to be returned to the units storage depots annually on November 1ST although the lack of supplies negated this directive and the uniforms were worn through-out the year. Of Note: The panzer personnel M44 dot pattern camouflage pants differed slightly from the cut of the M44 drill uniform pants. The main differences include the addition of pocket flaps and an integral belt and the lack of belt loops.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Cotton/rayon blend construction "Keilhose" style pants with an HBT, (Herring Bone Twill), weave and machine roller printed Dot pattern camouflage to the exterior. The camouflage pattern has a predominately mid-tan base with random dots in assorted shades of greens and tans. The pants feature a vertical, four button French fly with an additional two buttons at the waistband. The horizontal waistband has an integral, tunnel looped canvas belt with an HBT weave and a corresponding open rectangle, triple claw, magnetic sheet metal belt buckle. The belt extrudes through a vertical slash on the right side of the fly while the corresponding belt buckle is situated to the left side of the fly and secured by a fold back button holed tab with a corresponding button. The pants have two, slightly diagonally angled, vertical slash front pockets with scalloped button down flaps. The right front of the pants also has a horizontal, patch, watch pocket positioned just below waistband. The cuffs each have a vertical outside seam slash with a single button closure. Buttons all appear to have their original stitching. The pants are roughly size 32" waist. Faint marking.