Germany, Kriegsmarine. A Tropical Field Blouse, by M. Sonntag & Söhne, c. 1942

(Kriegsmarine Tropen Feldbluse). A well-preserved Waffen-SS tropical field blouse, constructed of khaki-tan cotton cloth with a gentle whipcord weave. It features a turned-down collar reinforced on the reverse with multiple rows of machine stitching. Each cuff is rolled up to a depth of 13 cm and secured in position with machine stitching around the outer circumference. Four pleated pockets are set into the breasts, all closing with zink buttons bearing raised fouled anchors. The tunic closes with five identical buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left. A partial white cotton interior liner extends across the upper back and chest, and is overlaid on the armpits by straps for the inclusion of a belt hanger, with ventilation eyelets perforated into the armpits. Stamped onto the right side of the liner is a maker’s mark of “M. SONNTAG & SÖHNE”, along with size dimensions and a manufacture date of “9 42” (September 1942). The blouse measures approximately 42 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 56 cm, and an overall body length of 70 cm when folded on a flat surface. It demonstrates minor and age-appropriate soiling and material fatigue, the latter including evidence of the removal of buttons or loops from the shoulders and upper right breast (previously accommodating the addition of straps and an eagle, respectively), but this late Afrikakorps-period blouse remains in a better than very fine condition.