GERMAN WWII HEER M36 NCO TUNIC.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/7/2018

German World War II, Heer M36 NCO Tunic in near mint condition. The M36 tunic became the first standardized tunic of the German Army, during Germany's rapid expansion of its military which began in 1935. These early tunics, with their five button fronts, scalloped and pleated pockets, and dark green collar, are still today considered the classic German Army Tunic of the Second World War. The tunic itself is made of a higher quality feld-grau wool which appears to be in an unworn state. The national eagle, "Hoheitzeichen", above the tunic's top right pocket, is machine zig-zag stitched with a light tan thread. The bottom portion of the eagle's stitching gives the appearance that it may have come loose, but on further inspection it looks as though the tailor missed the eagle slightly and sewed into only the base fabric instead. The collar tab litzen are machine sewn to the collar and piped in the general branch piping dark green. Both tabs are in excellent condition, showing some slight fraying near the top and bottom of each tab. The perimeter of the collar is lined with a silver tress, denoting that the soldier is of an NCO rank. The tress is machine sewn and is near mint. The shoulder boards are the earlier pointed type with a dark green base. They have a silver tress running nearly the entire perimeter, denoting the rank of "Feldwebel". They have no branch piping, which is correct. The boards have a white chain-stitched numeral "5" which designates "5th Infantry". The boards are in near mint condition. The front of the tunic has five green painted zinc closure buttons which appear to be originally sewn to the tunic and retain approximately 98% of their original paint. The front closure button slits are reinforced with thread, which on some has become loose and slightly unraveled in areas. The four pocket buttons are the same type of green painted zinc buttons as the closure buttons. These four buttons appear to be originally attached and retain approximately 98% of their original paint. The four sets of three belt hook adjustment holes are correctly thread reinforced and have belt hooks through each set. A Second Pattern Heer Shooting Lanyard is attached from the shoulder strap button to the second from top closure button. The lanyard is a Grade 1 and is in near mint condition. The interior is partly lined with a finely ribbed cotton fabric and is in near mint condition. The four belt hook adjustment straps, and first aid bandage pocket, are intact and near mint. The interior is ink stamped with the maker's name "Schildmann and Co, Bensheim", the depot code and year "F 39", meaning Frankfurt 1939, and the sizing. It is also worth pointing out that this tunic has not been shortened or modified. Many early tunics were altered by the wearer during the war by "upgrading". This could be from the wearer changing the collars to the officer type collar, changing the breast eagles to flatwire types, or shortening the tunic, which seemed to be a popular trend at the time. Non-upgraded tunics are difficult to obtain on the current market.