History

In early 1943, Waffen-SS Panzer crews were issued protective one-piece camouflage coveralls. A heavy winter version, with one white side and one field-grey side, and a reversible lightweight summer version were manufactured. These coveralls proved impractical as soldiers were required to remove them in order to do basic things, such as going to the washroom.

In 1944, the Waffen-SS introduced a two-piece camouflage uniform that was similar to the wool panzer uniform.

The front of the early pattern camouflage panzer tunics close with four large buttons, while the lapels can be fastened to the tunic with two smaller buttons. Unlike the wool panzer tunic, the sleeves of the tunic do not feature cuff vents, although, like the wool panzer tunic, fabric loops are attached to the shoulder area to help secure shoulder boards. The tunic is unlined, interior adjustment straps are placed above each hip, and there is a small pocket inside the left breast.

Many of the early pattern camouflage panzer tunics were manufactured out of leftover camouflage material and the interior and exterior feature different patterns, although the tunic was not meant to be reversible.

The second pattern panzer uniforms use the ‘Dot’ camouflage pattern, which was introduced in 1944.

The second pattern tunic was manufactured out of a herringbone twill material that had a high artificial thread content. Although the material was durable, it provided poor insulation, was heavy when wet, and was difficult to dry.

The tunic is printed on one side and the interior is light brown or an off-white colour.

Unlike other service tunics that feature a zigzag reinforcement stitch on the underside of the collar, this tunic features a wavy reinforcement stitch that starts at one end of the collar and runs to the other.