BACKGROUND: Brown was to become the official color of the NSDAP and SA by circumstance rather than design. A large stockpile of discounted, surplus WWI tropical brown shirts and fabric, intended for wear in East Africa, were located in Austria in 1924 and purchased by the Nazis as a temporary measure to bring uniformity of dress to their party members. In November of 1926 the brown shirt was officially introduced, and retained, as the basic uniform item for the NSDAP and SA, and was eventually adopted by other political organizations such as the HJ, DAF, and the NSKK.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A very light brown cotton, long-sleeved, three-quarter-length pull-over shirt, whose three button front closure descends 36cm from its collarless top. Buttonholes are to both its throat and the back of the neck, to attach a collar to. Its fold-back French cuffs have dual button closures to either side, for removable buttons or links. Approximately a size 42" chest. Some stains on the lower right sleeve.