BACKGROUND: SS uniforms evolved from the early "traditional" brown shirt uniform, to the black and earth grey service uniforms on July 7TH 1932 to the first field-grey uniforms in 1935. In May 1936 a modified field-grey uniform was officially introduced and was worn through-out the war with minor alterations that basically followed the same modifications of the army style uniforms. The M43 field blouse was basically a continuation of the modifications of the M33 field blouse which had evolved into the M36, the M40 and the M42 field blouses. Modifications to the M42 field blouse included the elimination of the separate internal belt support hook suspenders with them being replaced by short integral straps in April 1943, and the replacement of the scalloped button flaps on the front pockets to straight flaps to simplify production in mid-1943. These alterations resulted in the M43 field blouse, which was to be the final variant of the original M33 field blouse. This example appears to be a transitional model between the M42 and M43 field blouses and still has a subtle scalloped to the exterior pocket flaps but has replaced the separate internal belt support hook suspenders with the short integral straps.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Field-grey, wool/rayon blend construction field blouse features a vertical five button front closure with a single metal hook and eye at the neckline and small fold back lapels. The field blouse has four, non-pleated, front patch pockets with subtly scalloped button down flaps. The breast pockets are the basic patch style while the hip pockets are the saddlebag type with expanding side panels. The field blouse has four sets of two, vertically aligned, stitched eyelets with one set situated at either side of the front closure and two to either side of the back panel, at the waistline. The eyelets were designed for the belt support hooks. The reverse of the field blouse has two vertical tapering darts and a central vertical tail skirt vent. The sleeve cuffs each have a vertical slash to the outside seams with fit adjustment buttons. All the insignia has been removed with the exception of a rank chevron. Buttons are a combination of replaced and original stitching. The field blouse is roughly size 36" chest. Original loops for one award on the pocket. This example was heavily worn and used and has numerous repairs all over the jacket.