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| Tunic Myths & Fairy Tales |
| In recent years social media has seen an explosion of clueless enthusiasts posing as experts in many fields. Within our hobby it’s especially noticeable in when it comes to anything regarding Waffen SS kit. There’s a vocal minority who spread all manner of faux facts disguised as expertise in their frantic quest for a golden influencer badge. It’s painfully obvious that some have never even been in the same room as an original and most have zero clue about sewing, sizing, textiles and whatnot. How am I smarter? I’m not. I just have access to real SS stuff, and am reasonably competent with a tape measure. Plus, after 40 years of fondling, disassembling and repairing this stuff, even the dullest meathead will pick up on certain things. Much of this is not in reference books simply because many of the details I find aren’t what the typical collector is looking at- even if they should be. Below are a few of the common fantasies making the rounds and the truth. All of my observations came from handling and measuring original uniforms- no “museum quality” reproductions were consulted. Do people really get their panties in a wad over things like collar widths? Oh yeah…especially when history cred is on the line. |
| Myth: SS Tunics have wider collars |
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| Truth: Heer and SS Feldblusen share the identical collar dimensions. They’re about 7cm wide at the front edge. That said, in some photos they do appear to be wider. Why….? |
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| They look wider because most SS tunics have the collars pressed to be worn open. It’s just an optical illusion. That’s it. |
| Myth: SS M36/40/41 tunics don’t have chest darts. |
| Truth: The darts were only eliminated beginning with the “M42” models. In other words, M42, M43 and 44 Dot lack them, while earlier models all have them. This misnomer may have gotten started thanks to some “high end” reproductions that weren’t as perfect as everyone thinks. |
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| Myth: All SS tunics have 2 belt hook holes. |
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| Original SS M36, M40 and M41 tunics |
| Truth: Another fantasy likely initiated by certain European reproductions often regarded to be as good as originals. They aren’t. It sucks as I was once a big fan of them too…. Like the darts, the SS didn’t drop the 3rd hole until the M42/43 models. Of note: Some SS contractors (such as Mayerhofer and various Clothing Works) increased the gap between the eyelet holes from 1cm to 1.5cm as seen on the right hand tunic which alters the appearance a bit. Also, there are some tailored M42 tunics where nearly flawless pleats were added to the pockets making the uniforms appear to be M40/41’s with 2 holes. A look inside will quickly show that they are actually the later model. |
| Myth: All SS tunics have horizontal buttonholes on the field dressing pocket. |
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| Truth: Some do, some don’t. Several collectors leapt on this like castaways clawing for a life raft because they can’t compute the shorter skirt thing. This is largely a nothing burger- not a panacea. Sorry. |
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| Myth: SS uniforms were all marked Buffalo Wild Wings. |
| Truth: Some were, many weren’t. “BW” stands for Bekleidungswerk– clothing factory (not Buchenwald). The SS operated dozens, perhaps hundreds, of sewing shops of varying size, scattered throughout the towns, ghettos and KZ’s of the Reich. Such marks could be from any one of those. In addition to the WVHA’s own shops, they also had uniforms made by general contractors (firms who also made uniforms for other services) such as G.g. Schwert, and others like Mayerhofer, that appear to have made garments for just the SS.Therefore, the markings in original SS Feldblusen vary widely with some having nothing more than the size block. Others have the name or numerical code of the manufacturer, with some having depot codes (M41, M42). The marks in the M41 at upper right is the only time I’ve ever seen a uniform stamped “Waffen SS” as well. The now illegible stamp below that was for the SS medical academy in Vienna- when I got it 30 years ago, it was still readable. Why am I so crass about the marking desired by so many? Simply because every window licker who sells counterfeits whacks everything they get their hands on with an SS-BW stamp in the quest to get more money out of it. It’s to the point that a BW stamp has the opposite than intended effect by simply increasing my suspicions. And the number of inexperienced enthusiasts who get a bulge in their britches when they see one is exhausting. |