BACKGROUND: On June 17TH 1936, Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler was appointed to the newly created position of Chef der Deutschen Polizei im Reichsministerium des Innern, (Chief of the German Police in the National Ministry of the Interior), effectively giving him full control of all police agencies within Germany. As a result of this appointment and the restructuring of all the separate German state police into a single national police force new regulations were instituted on June 25TH 1936 to bring about uniformity in dress for all police through-out the country. One of the new uniform regulations replaced the previously worn blue uniforms with a new style police green uniform that was utilized, with minor modifications, until the end of the war. As with other organizations the police utilized standard, straight legged, long pants and assorted breeches. Originally the pants and breeches were produced in black fabric for all but the Gendarmerie, (Rural Police), but by early 1938 the changeover to police green pants and breeches was completed for all branches of police service excluding the Wasserschutzpolizei, (Water Police), and the Feuerschutzpolizei, (Fire Protection Police). Regulations dictated wear of unmounted breeches with the Service and Parade dress and they could also be worn as an optional item with the Field and Undress uniforms. Police Officers holding the rank of Polizei-Leutnant to Generaloberst der Polizei were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and could purchase them through the SS-Kleiderkasse, (Clothing Account), system which was originally established in Munich in 1935. The Officers were allotted a one time clothing allowance from the government with the amount varying depending on the individuals rank. The ranks of Polizei Unterwachtmeister to Polizei-Obermeister were issued their uniforms although they could also choose to purchase privately tailored garments of higher quality although the price may have been restrictive. Of Note: The German Police had no enlisted ranks with the lowest rank being an Unterwachtmeister which was equivalent to the German army rank of Unteroffizier.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nice quality, 1938 pattern mottled green blend material construction summer breeches features a vertical, four button, French fly with an additional button positioned on the waistband. Maker and size marked. All original buttons and stitching. Excellent maker and size markings. Of Note: The original "test" model and the first officially sanctioned Luftwaffe Paratrooper’s jump smocks were manufactured in a mottled green material with tan flecks until the third, camouflage patterned jump smocks were introduced in mid-1940. When the Luftwaffe phased out the mottled green smocks the remaining bolts of material were requisitioned by the Police and utilized for summer uniforms as it was relatively similar to the Police green uniforms in use. The breeches are roughly a size 36" waist. Small sewing repair to the right knee. Nice!