BACKGROUND: Originally members of the fledgling SS had no official uniform until April 1925 when they adopted, what was to become known as the, "Tradition Uniform" and personnel were outfitted with the same brown shirt uniform and kepi as the SA. In November 1925 personnel of the newly formed SS adopted a black kepi, necktie, breeches and border trim on their armbands to distinguish themselves from their SA counterparts. On July 7TH 1932 the black and earth grey service uniforms, for Allgemeine-SS, (General SS), SS-VT, SS-Verfügungstruppe, (SS-Special Purpose Troops), SS-TV, SS-Totenkopfverbände, (SS-Death’s Head Units), and SS-SD, SS-Sicherheitsdienst und Sicherheitspolizei, (SS-Security Service and Security Police), personnel was first introduced to replace the brown shirt, "Tradition", uniform. In 1935 the first field-grey uniforms were issued to personnel serving with the LSSAH, Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler for testing and evaluation and they were adopted as the official color of the field uniform on November 25TH 1935. In 1937 a slightly modified field-grey uniform was introduced and was worn through-out the war with minor alterations that basically followed the same modifications of the army style uniforms. Of Note: After the outbreak of WWII the black service uniforms were eventually phased out of wear for all but Allgemeine-SS personnel. On June 8TH 1942 Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler ordered that all black service uniforms in the possession of Waffen-SS personnel were to be returned to clothing depots in an attempt to overcome material shortages. By 1943 even Allgemeine-SS were being outfitted with field-grey uniforms and the black uniforms were to be reintroduced at the successful conclusion of the war.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Field-grey wool/rayon blend construction M40 (SS pattern liner) field blouse with a lay down collar, features a vertical, five button front closure with a single hook and eye positioned at the forward neckline. Collar tabs removed. Nice quality SS EM/NCO machine embroidered arm eagle with original machine stitching to the sleeve. Original award loops for two breast badges. The field blouse has four, pleated, front pockets with scalloped button down flaps. The breast pockets are the basic patch type while the hip pockets are the saddlebag type with expanding side panels. Nice SS pattern complete liner. Buttons look to be mostly original stitching. The field blouse is roughly size 34" chest. Expected minor repairs. Well worn and used example. Scarce SS M40