BACKGROUND: The old style service tunic was introduced for wear in the Reichswehr during the short lived Weimar era, and was to be replaced with the new Officers field blouse after its introduction during the Third Reich with an unspecified wearing out period. The old style service tunic was quite popular with the older Officer’s which resulted in the wearing out period being extended to March 31ST 1942 for all Officers beneath the rank of General. Due to its popularity and in spite of regulations some Officers chose to continue wearing the old style service tunic for the duration of the war. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the army’s Kleiderkasse, (Clothing Account), system. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase their uniforms from the armed forces clothing depots or to privately purchase garments of higher quality. Although enlisted personnel were issued their uniforms from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored uniforms although the price may have been restrictive.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nice quality, private purchase, field-grey wool/rayon blend construction old style service tunic with a subtle whipcord weave features a vertical, eight button front closure with dual metal hooks and eyes positioned at the neckline. The tunic has two, pleated, patch, breast pockets and two diagonally angled, slash, hip pockets, all with scalloped button down flaps. The right breast has a hand embroidered, Officer’s quality, breast eagle in bright silver/aluminum wire and bullion threads, mounted on a cut-out, blue/green badge cloth base. The eagle is neatly handstitched to the tunic. Left breast has original award loops for four/five breast badges and one ribbon bar. The straight cut, non-adjustable, sleeves have deep, fold back French cuffs. The reverse of the tunic has a central, vertical, tail skirt vent with two buttons situated at its top edge. The interior of the tunic is fully lined in ribbed greyish/tan rayon with off-white, grey striped sleeves. The buttons are all the pebbled, alloy type and most appear to have their original stitching. One should board button is missing. The tunic is roughly size 38" chest. Breast eagle, collar tabs and boards have all been restored/added to the tunic. 

Additional information added June 1st 2025. This tunic appears to have begun life as an early model imperial era tunic (the field grey Waffenrock for officers introduced in 1910). It was not unusual in the post war Reichsheer to continue to use serviceable garments after modification to the newer pattern. In this case, the tunic has been modified to conform to the newer pattern by stripping off the piping and tail flap scallops, adding turnback cuffs, breast pockets, a new collar, and adding scalloped flaps to the hip pockets. There are two giveaways. One is the fact the "add ons" don't match the rest of the tunic and the other is the waist seam; Rw tunics did not have them. The collar on this one may have actually been modified more than once as, again, that dark green color was not really introduced until the mid 30s. Its rather shoddy appearance suggests this was most likely a field tunic, worn when appearance didn't matter much. The KM/OKW insignia is a bit much, especially considering the collar patches are for the 1935 Waffenrock and not the field blouse; on the latter they were on a dark green backing. (Thanks Lou)