Germany, Heer. A Pair of Field-Modified Tropical Shorts

 (Heer kurze Tropenhose für Mannschaften). An interesting pair of Heer tropical shorts, constructed of olive-drab cotton. They feature an elasticized internal belt, formerly emerging at the front with two slashes which have been closed by the wearer with hand stitching, with a loop set into the left previously fastening the belt in position. Two side pockets are set into the front of each leg, and open with buttonless diagonal slashes, while an additional pocket is set into the back right, closing with a zink alloy button which fits through a reinforced buttonhole. A French fly closes with six hidden zink alloy buttons similarly meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes. Notably, each leg has been rolled up into the interior to a length of approximately 8 cm, secured in position with hand stitching, indicating the owner’s response to hot and humid field conditions during Wehrmacht operations in North Africa or elsewhere in the Mediterranean. A partial white cotton liner surrounding the interior of the waistband bears illegible stamped size marks and a Reichsbetriebsnummer (RBNr.). Measuring approximately 36 cm across the waist, with a total length of 28 cm (l) when folded on a flat surface, the shorts demonstrate minor soiling and material fatigue consistent with field wear. This battlefield-worn example remains in a very fine condition.