{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-3rd-pattern-heer-officer-s-panzer-wrapper-tunic-with-panzergrenadier-division-grossdeutschland-shoulder-straps-berlin-depot-stamp-dated-1940-professionally-reapplied-insignia","title":"Original German WWII 3rd Pattern Heer Officer’s Panzer Wrapper Tunic with Panzergrenadier Division Großdeutschland Shoulder Straps \u0026 Berlin Depot Stamp, Dated 1940, Professionally Reapplied Insignia","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a very good original German WWII Heer black Panzer wrapper, accepted through the Berlin clothing depot in 1940 and subsequently configured as an Oberleutnant of the Panzertruppen associated with Großdeutschland. The tunic is constructed from high-quality black wool retaining much of its original nap, with only minor moth damage around the collar. \u003cem\u003eThe uniform comes with a letter from The Ruptured Duck, LLC, authenticating the uniform, but denoting \u003cstrong\u003ethat this is an original wrap that has had the insignia professionally reapplied\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/em\u003e The insignia appears to be all original, but it has been reapplied post-war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe black Panzer wrapper was introduced during the prewar expansion of Germany's armored forces and became one of the most distinctive uniforms of the Heer. Its short, double-breasted wraparound construction was specifically suited to wear inside armored fighting vehicles, while black wool helped conceal the oil, grease, and grime associated with armored service. Rose pink, or rosa, was adopted as the characteristic Waffenfarbe of the Panzertruppen and appeared prominently on their shoulder insignia and collar tabs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the black Panzer wrap tunic was introduced in 1934 for Germany’s newly formed armored forces, a distinctive pattern of collar insignia was adopted with it. These tabs used the traditional Prussian Danziger style skull and crossbones, a design that remained associated with Panzer uniforms throughout WWII with various manufacturing differences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe right breast bears a correct 1939 pattern panzer breast eagle, BeVO embroidered with gray threading on a black background.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe collar bears original Panzer \u003cem\u003eKragenspiegelen \u003c\/em\u003e(Collar Tabs), the pattern of which was the same for enlisted men and officers. They each feature a black wool body with an internal buckram stiffener, and \u003cem\u003erosa\u003c\/em\u003e (rose- pink) piping around the edge. This is the \u003cem\u003eWaffenfarbe\u003c\/em\u003e (Corps Color) for the \u003cem\u003ePanzertruppen\u003c\/em\u003e (Armored Forces), as well as Kraftfahrkampftruppe - \u003cem\u003eKraftfahrtruppen\u003c\/em\u003e (Motor Vehicle Combat Troops). Mounted at the center of each is the distinctive \u003cem\u003eDanziger\u003c\/em\u003e style Totenkopf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe “sew-in” style company grade officers \u003cem\u003eschulterklappen\u003c\/em\u003e (shoulder boards) of this wrapper are constructed with two rows of fine silver flatware \"Russia Braid\" double piping and have the correct rose pink backing, which shows around the edges. They each have one pebbled aluminum button. There is one rank \"pip\" installed on both, indicating the rank of \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOberleutnant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, equivalent to a U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant. Also attached to each is a gilt metal interlocking \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGD\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e monogram cypher, for the \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eGroßdeutschland\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e division. The cyphers look original, but we cannot say with certainty that they are original to the shoulder straps. They are magnetic, and each have two prongs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top buttonhole of the tunic has ribbons for both the Iron Cross 1939 EKII and Eastern Front Medal (Ostmedaille) sewn into it, reapplied as mentioned in the letter. The collar retains the single hook \u0026amp; loop closure, with some minor oxidation. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left breast has four sets of award loops, three horizontal and one vertical, with one Gold wound badge attached to the bottom right vertical set, and a four-place ribbon bar with the Wehrmacht Long Service Award with a silver Wehrmachtadler eagle, the Anschluss Medal, the Sudetenland Medal with device, and the Memel Medal. The wound badge is a solid-back and is unmarked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wrapper retains all buttons, although some may have been reapplied. The wrapper’s interior bears a clear depot stamp reading:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e43    42\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e60    62\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eB40\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eB40 \u003c\/strong\u003estamp indicates that the tunic was processed through the \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eBerlin depot\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e in \u003cstrong\u003e1940\u003c\/strong\u003e. On the lower left side is a stamped maker’s cartouche that is now faded in the center. We can make out:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eXVE  P  MIL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eD. G. … SS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLastly, there is a small stamped name in the interior right breast pocket, reading \u003cstrong\u003ePaul Opulle S(?)\u003c\/strong\u003e, a good research project. There is an interior left vertical slash pocket as well. The interior shows good period wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an original B40-dated black Panzer wrapper, the tunic is already a desirable piece of early-war Heer armored clothing. Its present Oberleutnant and Großdeutschland display configuration, period insignia, extensive award setup, surviving interior markings, and possible wearer name make it visually impressive and worthy of further study, while the documented postwar reapplication allows its history to be presented transparently rather than obscured.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate Measurements:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCollar to shoulder: 9.5\"\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to sleeve: 24\"\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to shoulder: 16\"\u003cbr\u003eChest width: 18\"\u003cbr\u003eWaist: 20\"\u003cbr\u003eHip: 22\"\u003cbr\u003eFront length: 27\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePanzer wraps are extremely rare because the armored corps made up only a small percentage of the Wehrmacht. The high amount of losses in the Panzer units is another reason remaining original examples ultra scarce. The garment would be a centerpiece in any uniform display and one-looker original panzer wraps like this one are very, very hard to find.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first German tank, called a “Panzer” (for “armor”), appeared in 1918. In the interwar years, German military strategists discussed how this new weapon should be employed on future battlefields. The first Panzer Divisions were formed in 1935. The German approach to tanks was generally different from the concepts of other militaries. In the Wehrmacht, Panzers would lead operations. They would be able to conduct operations independently from other units. This innovative approach was a crucial part of the German “Blitzkrieg” strategy, that yielded great German victories in the early years of World War II. The Wehrmacht attempted to achieve further successes with Panzers by constantly introducing new and better tanks with greater destructive capabilities, or other armored fighting vehicles suited for more specialized roles. Eventually, the German Army would field nearly 50 Panzer Divisions; the Waffen-SS had an additional 7 Panzer divisions, and even the Luftwaffe had a Panzer division of their own. These were elite units, often engaged in constant combat on all fronts. Panzer crews wore distinctive black uniforms with deaths-head collar patches, and matching black field caps. Many Panzer commanders in the Heer and SS were highly successful in combat, and some even became well-known personalities in wartime Germany. Surviving material related to Panzer troops is extremely sought-after and collectible today.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45582723481669,"sku":"ONSV26EMC132","price":4495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/8DC970D5-EFF8-443D-9ED8-2D1664C8FE5A.jpg?v=1787342753","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-3rd-pattern-heer-officer-s-panzer-wrapper-tunic-with-panzergrenadier-division-grossdeutschland-shoulder-straps-berlin-depot-stamp-dated-1940-professionally-reapplied-insignia","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}