Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely early pattern Heer Artillery Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee (Junior NCO) M35 Waffenrock Dress Tunic. The base material of the uniform is made of a fine feldgrau colored "whipcord weave" wool. The wool shows no signs of any physical damage by misuse but does display some mothing in areas. The collar is wrapped in flaschengrün (dark bottle-green) wool, decorated a strip of 9mm flat silver-woven braid (Unteroffoziers-Tressen), sewn around the collar border. This is very early pattern tresse, which actually used silver in the construction, which is why it now looks blue to the silver tarnishing. The base material of the two dress litzen on each side of the collar opening is Hochrot (Deep Red) wool, the Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) during WWII for Artillery, as well as General Level Officers. The front closure bears piping of the same color. The two litzen themselves are woven from fine silver bullion thread, which has oxidized, matching the color of the tresse. The collar and its insignia, show light to moderate wear from use, with some wear through on the inside of the collar

The “sew-in” style NCO shoulder boards of this Waffenrock have a dark bottle green base wool, with the correct NCO Tresse sewn around the entire edge, and are piped in red. There are no rank "pips" installed, indicating the NCO rank of Unterfeldwebel, equivalent to a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant. The front breast eagle is an early silver bullion example, matching the rest of the metal embroidery on the uniform. The eagle is without damage and is very neatly hand stitched to the chest in a fashion typical of wartime German tailor work.

Eight magnetic silvered pebbled buttons adorn the front of the tunic and all appear to be originally attached directly to the tunic. Unlike later waffenrocks, this example has the standard four pockets seen on most tunics, with pleated chest pockets and waist slash pockets, all with button retained scalloped flaps. Also, the french cuffs on this example do not have any additional insignia, piping, or litzen installed. The interior of the waffenrock is lined with olive twill, which feels like a rayon and cotton blend, and the sleeves are lined with blue striped white cotton. There is a horizontal slash pocket on the inner left breast, though there is not any maker marking inside the pocket. There looks to have been some repairs made to the interior of the uniform.

Featured on the right shoulder is a beautiful 1st Pattern Heer Army Schützenschnur Marksmanship Lanyard without subsequent awards. This early version just has the Heer Eagle on a shield, with out the wreath and swords of the later versions. The condition is very good, showing only light wear, and is maker marked D. & H. on the felt backing, which has some light mothing. The bullion portions are still bright and look great.

Also included are a high quality pair of feldgrau officer wool gabardine Jodhpurs (breeches) in very good condition. They feature a button fly front closure, and look to be bespoke, as we cannot see any maker or other markings on the interior. They feature diagonal slash waist pockets, with a small pocket next to the main closure, as well as a button closed pocket on the right seat. The sides of the breeches have the correct deep red piping for artillery issue.

A lovely early WWII Artillery NCO Waffenrock Uniform set, ready to research and display!

The M35 Waffenrock dress tunic was introduced for wear by all ranks on June 29TH 1935 as the walking out, parade and ceremonial dress with the piped, stone grey long pants. The design of the M35 dress tunic was based on the Imperial German army’s service tunic but was a different color and generally of much higher quality. Originally all personnel were issued two M35 dress tunics but manufacture was discontinued in late 1939 or early 1940 and was to be reinstated at the successful conclusion of the war. Regulations of March 21ST 1940 stated that the M35 dress tunics that were no longer suitable for dress wear were to be modified and reissued to personnel of the replacement and reserve units for every day wear. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the army’s Kleiderkasse, (Clothing Account), system. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase their uniforms from the armed forces clothing depots or to privately purchase garments of higher quality. Although enlisted personnel were issued their uniforms from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored uniforms although the price may have been restrictive.