Wehrmacht (Heer) Infantry NCO's M42 Field Blouse (Feldbluse M42). The development of the M42 field blouse can be traced back to April 1933 with the introduction of the first pattern field blouses. Modifications of the M33 field blouse had evolved into the M36 Field Blouse and in 1940 into the M40 Field Blouse which was followed by the M41 Field Blouse with minor variations. The M42 Field Blouse was introduced in 1942 and was the first field blouse with four unpleated front pockets. The separate belt support hook suspenders have now been replaced by short integral straps. This is an EM's issue tunic which has been upgraded to an NCO's rank. The high quality wool/rayon blend construction field blouse has 6 front closure buttons and four, non-pleated, front pockets. The field blouse is having a nicely machine-sewn M39 style BeVo-woven breast eagle original applied. A pair of collar-tabs and silver NCO braid are machine-sewn around the collar. The collar-tabs are having the basic generic grey branch colour, the different branches of service within the German army were allocated a particular identifying 'Waffenfarbe' (branch of service) color which was generally displayed on the collar tabs. An exception to this rule were the general service collar tabs (Einheitskragenspiegel) for EM/NCO personnel that did not utilize the branch of service color enabling them to be worn by personnel serving in all branches of service. Shoulder-board loops and buttons are present. The tunic comes with a pair of shoulder-straps as intended for an 'Unteroffizier der Infanterie'. I'm not totally convinced about the originality of the shoulder-straps so those are included for free. There are award-loops on the left breast for wear of one award. An Iron Cross 2nd Class ribbon bar is attached to the tunic. The interior of the field blouse is partially lined in grey coloured rayon, there is a small bandage pocket on the lower right, the pocket is nicely maker marked by 'Uniformwerke E.Reitz' from Antwerpen-Merksem (Belgium). The field blouse is nicely size marked (chest size 92cms). The tunic is showing normal traces of usage, there are some small (moth)damages and repairs, see photos. Nice original M42 field blouse in good used condition!