Original Item: Only one pair available. The SS (Schutzstaffel - 'Protection Squadron') was originally formed in 1925, ostensibly to act as a small, loyal bodyguard unit to protect the Führer, Adolf H. Under the direction of the Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, the SS grew to be the most ruthless and feared organization of the 20th century. They were the vanguard of NSDAP and eventually controlled nearly every function of German life and much of Occupied Europe.

When WWII began in earnest, the SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS-VT) (SS Dispositional Troops) became the Waffen-SS ("Armed SS"), an official military branch of the SS organization. Its formations included men from NSDAP ruled Germany, along with volunteers and conscripts from both occupied and unoccupied lands.

This is a fantastic late war service used German Waffen SS HBT M44 Uniform Tunic in the lovely SS later war (1944-1945) Erbsenmuster (Pea Pattern) Camouflage Pattern. This design was introduced in early-mid 1944, and the design of these is very similar to the HBT "Reed Green" uniforms issued by other branches late in the war, issued for use for both drill and in the field, and were much more utilitarian than many previous designs. The tunic features two slightly angled chest pockets with square flaps, and two larger waist pockets below that are not angled as much. It has a 5 button front closure with a hook and loop collar fastener, and all of the buttons are sewn directly to the fabric. The buttons are mostly maker marked on the back, and are made from both zinc and aluminum, so some may have been replaced during service. There are no loops on the shoulders for the installation of rank insignia, and there is also no Sleeve Eagle on the left sleeve, nor any evidence that one was ever applied. This indicates that the tunic was made later in the war, when insignia were not considered a priority.

The interior of the tunic is mostly unlined, except for some tan fabric reinforcements around the bottom of the sleeves, which extend down to the belt support clip grommets. Both sides have the correct support straps for the clips, and there are even still aluminum clips on both sides! The inner right bottom of the tunic has the usual bandage pocket present, with a plastic button at the top.

The condition of the tunic is consistent with moderate use during the war, and there is definitely fading and wear to the exterior, while the interior shows staining from use. There are small tears throughout the tunic, and the hanger loop on the inside collar is almost torn through. There are some areas of fraying, and there is also a tear and torn seam about 1 3/4" long on the top of the left shoulder, as shown in the pictures. It has the great look of a tunic that was "really there"!

Waffen SS "Pea Dot" Camouflage material has becoming exceedingly hard to find, especially the M44 uniforms, and here we have a lovely honest used example of the tunic. It was checked thoroughly against known period examples, and is totally correct. This is only the second time that we have had part of an M44 Pea Dot uniform, and do not expect to have another anytime soon!

Approximate Measurements:-
Collar to shoulder: 9"
Shoulder to sleeve: 23”
Shoulder to shoulder: 16"
Chest width: 19.5”
Waist: 17.5"
Hip: 18.5"
Front length: 25.5"

More on the M44 "Pea Dot" Camouflage Waffen SS Uniform:
The development of SS camouflage items was initiated by Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler in 1935 when he tasked the Reichsführung-SS, (National Leadership of the SS), to begin research of new camouflage patterns and garments for use by the fledgling SS-VT, SS-Verfugüngstruppe, (SS-Special Purpose Troops). In late 1936 and early 1937 the first SS camouflage garments were issued to personnel of the SS-VT Standarte Deutschland for field testing and evaluation. The first items evaluated were the Quarter shelters/ponchos, followed by steel helmet covers, face masks and smocks.

As the war continued various other clothing items were produced in the assorted camouflage patterns. Originally the camouflage patterns were all produced in the time consuming manual screen printing until the development of the machine roller printing in 1940. By the end of the war no fewer then ten assorted camouflage patterns had been developed and used by the SS.

The M44 dot pattern camouflage uniform, consisting of a field blouse and pants was officially introduced on March 1st 1944 as a cost saving measure, and was designed to serve double duty by replacing both the drill tunic and camouflage smock. Originally the early models of the M44 dot pattern camouflage uniforms were manufactured from stockpiles of dual sided, camouflage material with an HBT, (Herring Bone Twill), weave and the field blouse came outfitted with shoulder strap retaining loops and buttons and a factory applied sleeve eagle. By July 1944 the inclusion of the shoulder strap retaining loops and buttons and the factory applied sleeve eagle were discontinued. The M44 dot pattern camouflage uniform was only suitable for warm climates and regulations dictated that the uniforms were to be returned to the units storage depots annually on November 1st although the lack of supplies negated this directive and the uniforms were worn through-out the year.