Published Waffen-SS M44 Dot Pattern Field Blouse
Extremely rare original smooth cotton Waffen-SS M44 Dot Pattern HBT Field Blouse (Tarnfeldbluse M44). The M44 dot pattern (Erbstarnmuster) camouflage uniform, consisting of a field blouse and pants was officially introduced on 1 March 1944. The smooth cotton variant field blouse has four pockets with straight flaps, the bottom flaps are made of HBT material. The tunic is having a five-button front closure and is complete with all field-grey and brown finished, pebbled metal buttons. There is a lay flat collar with a metal hook and loop neck closure. Regulations prohibeted the use of any insignia except for sleeve type ranks worn on camouflage uniforms. Despite these orders, insignia was commonly applied in the field. This jacket is having original period applied collar tabs and shoulder straps for an SS soldier in the rank of 'SS-Unterscharführer'. A BeVo woven SS Sleeve Eagle is nicely machine-sewn to the left sleeve. The interior is unlined, with tan linen used for reinforcements at the seams and the small bandage pocket on the lower right. The tunic is nicely 'SS-BW' marked and shows size stamps, it is a medium size (chest size 88cms). This jacket was taken home as a souvernir by a US GI, a handwritten capture tag by the veteran is glued inside. The tag is mentioning the insignia which are visible on the jacket. Together with the history and paper tag this might be the only known SS camouflage jacket with unquestionable original applied insignia. This jacket was published in the famous book 'Uniforms of the Waffen-SS' by 'Michael D. Beaver'. The field blouse is in very good condition showing great colours, see photos. I have never seen a 2nd jacket like this, most certainly one of the rarest jackets to be found!