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. Generally the Feuerschutzpolizei, (Fire Protection Police), were distinguished from other police personnel with navy blue uniforms and headgear as opposed to the police green uniforms of the other police agencies. The police were divided into eight assorted branches of service and during the restructuring the different police agencies were assigned specific identifying, truppenfarbe, (Branch of Service Color), with the Feuerschutzpolizei being allocated carmine truppenfarbe. On the service tunic the truppenfarbe was generally displayed as the base of the shoulder boards/straps and the collar tabs as well as on ornamental piping. 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, deep navy blue doeskin wool construction service tunic features a vertical, eight button front closure with dual metal hooks and eyes positioned at the forward neckline and a lay down collar. The left front closure panel edge is trimmed in carmine wool, truppenfarben piping. The tunic has two, pleated, patch, breast pockets and two non-pleated, slightly diagonally angled, patch hip pockets, all with scalloped button down flaps. The straight cut, non-adjustable sleeves have simulated French cuffs with carmine wool truppenfarben piping to the top edges. Collar tabs and sleeve eagle have been removed. The tunic has slip on shoulder boards. The tunic is roughly size 34/36" chest. Just need collar tabs and a sleeve eagle to restore it. Comes with its original size 30" black wool trousers which are in superb condition.