BACKGROUND: Development of self-propelled assault artillery to support the infantry in a close fire support role began in the late 1930's and continued through-out the war. With the development of these new weapons it was decided that crew personnel would require a uniform designed specifically for wear in the close constrains of their vehicles. The army’s black panzer wrap uniform had proven practical in the confines of tanks, but it was determined that the color was too conspicuous for use while performing the close support role as the assault gunners were quite often required to leave their vehicles for observation within close range and view of the enemy. This consideration led to the introduction of the army pattern, field-grey Sturmartillerie uniform on May 29TH 1940, with the same design and cut of the black panzer wrap uniform. Originally these army pattern assault artillery uniforms were issued to personnel serving with the SS Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler Sturmgeschütze-Batterie in early 1941. On September 1ST 1941 the Waffen-SS officially adopted the field-grey assault artillery uniform with minor construction modifications. Regulations of December 1942 extended wear of the field-grey assault artillery uniform to personnel serving in Panzerjägereinheiten (Anti-Tank Units). In 1939 the Waffen-SS adopted waffenfarben, (Branch of Service Colors), with each branch of service being allocated a specific, identifying, waffenfarbe, which was displayed as piping on the shoulder straps.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Later war production, coarse, dark, reworked, field-grey, wool/rayon, construction, SS cut, waist length, double breasted style tunic with a fold back lapels and a lay down collar. The left front closure panel of the tunic has four, hidden, button eyelets and an additional three, visible, button eyelets on the fold back lapel. The right front closure panel has all four large and all three smaller, corresponding buttons intact. The edge of the right front closure panel has an additional two, small, buttons positioned underneath the overlapping left closure panel with dual, corresponding, internal, button holed, fabric loops for a secure closure with a neat appearance. The tunic also has a single metal hook and eye positioned at the forward neckline for a secure closure. The tunic is the SS pattern with no central seam to the reverse. The straight cut sleeve cuffs each have a vertical, outside seam slash with a single button eyelet and dual, corresponding, fit adjustment buttons to each. The tunic has the slip on shoulder straps fabric retaining loops intact. The lay down collar has the typical zig-zag reinforcement stitching to the reverse. The interior front panels of the tunic are lined in grey cotton/rayon. The interior side seams each have had the vertical belt support hook straps cut off. The interior waistline has horizontal, tunnel looped, grey rayon drawstrings for fit adjustment. The buttons, are a combination of the molded glass and the molded bakelite types and all appear to have their original stitching. The tunic is roughly size 36" chest. Original collar tabs and arm eagle have been removed after the war. Original awards loops for one badge. Rare original SS Stug wrap!