BACKGROUND: The M44 style field blouse was officially introduced in late September 1944 in an effort to save time and materials. Design was based on the short British battledress, and was a completely new pattern for the German armed forces.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Short, waist length, field-grey wool/rayon blend construction tunic with six button front closure and lay down collar. Tunic has two non-pleated breast patch pockets with scalloped button down flaps, and a 12cm tall horizontal waistband. Sleeves have straight cut non-adjustable cuffs. Upper left sleeve has a machine embroidered, second pattern, (circa 1938), SS eagle in silver/grey threads on a cut-out black wool base which is machine stitched to sleeve in the typical zig-zag fashion. Plain black wool rank collar tab with single rank pip. Right collar tab also in black wool with machine embroidered SS runes in pearl grey threads. Both tabs are machine stitched to the collar. Slip on shoulder straps of black wool with red wool waffenfarbe and matte silver/aluminum NCO’s tress to all but slip on end. Lay down collar with typical zig-zag reinforcement stitching to reverse. Unlined interior has brownish/grey cotton twill and grey rayon reinforcement panels to reverse of pocket openings, around armpits and down each side of front closure. Tunic has all over, consistent, light to moderate nap wear and a couple of small holes. Buttons are a combination of the matte grey, pebbled, magnetic sheet metal and alloy types and most appear to have original stitching. Tunic roughly size 34/36" chest. Rare jacket, untouched & perfect!