History

In December of 1939, Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler decreed that the combat troops of the SS would be issued army-pattern tunics, with a distinctive dark green collar and four pleated pockets.

From 1939 until around 1943, the uniforms issued to the SS-VT and its successor organization, the Waffen-SS, were identical to the Heer M36 pattern.

The future tunic models of the Waffen-SS (up to the M44) were all modified versions of the M36. All of the four pocket tunic designs retain a single trait that differentiates SS and Heer tunics: the SS tunic has a slightly shorter skirt than the Heer tunic.

Size stamping is also an important feature that can be used to differentiate between SS and Heer tunics.

The M36 tunic is easily distinguishable by its box-pleated patch pockets with scalloped flaps and its dark green collar; the collar is closed with a single hook and the tips are sharply pointed; the front is closed with five matte-silver buttons and the tunic is form-fitting, with a shorter skirt than seen on Heer tunics; the waistline features three vertical eyelets; the interior of the tunic features two suspension straps where hooks were attached to support an exterior equipment belt; the interior field dressing pocket features horizontal button holes.

Early enlisted rank tunics were partially lined and the reinforcement was focused on areas where wear and tear was most likely to occur. The underside of the collar is reinforced with heavy cotton cloth and a zigzag stitch. Some early uniforms have an internal pocket for wound dressing supplies that does not have a button.

Late enlisted rank uniforms feature ‘SS style lining’, which means that the lower front panel of the lining was made by making three angular cuts. The bottom edge of the lining forms one angle, the right corner which has been cuff off the panel forms the second angle. The third angle is made by a cut that runs up from the corner of the second angle.

The interior stamping features numerous measurements including the torso length, the total length, the sleeve length, the width of the neck, and the circumference of the chest and neck. By subtracting the torso length from the total length, the length of the skirt can be reached. Heer tunics only utilized odd torso lengths, while SS tunics utilized both even and odd numbers.Therefore, if a torso length is even, the tunic is SS.

The first initial of a clothing depot location and the year of manufacture, such as H39 for Hanover 1939, will also be included in the stamping.

SS Officers were required to purchase their own uniforms and needed more than one for different occasions. Due to the fact that Officers procured their own uniforms, the appearance of Officer grade tunics may vary.

SS Officers often wore the same tricot wool uniforms as their army-counterparts. Army-style Officer uniforms include a tunic with a sharply pointed green collar, six buttons, and turn back cuffs. These tunics often feature high-quality tailor lining that is markedly different from the material used to produce enlisted rank tunics.

Officers often wore enlisted rank uniforms with Officer grade insignia in the field. The collars on the tunics were often modified to have more acutely pointed ends.

The collar tabs of senior Non-Commissioned Officers were edged with silver-coloured tresses.