Original German WWII 100th Panzer Battalion M35 Dress Tunic Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The 100th Panzer Battalion was a German Wehrmacht Panzer battalion that was active during World War II. The battalion was raised in April 1941, and its goal was to train soldiers to operate captured French Army tanks. On 22 December 1941, it was converted from a “replacement battalion” to a normal battalion. It had four companies at its height from 1941 to 1943, and it had just three companies at the time of D-Day in June 1944. It was attached to the German 91st Infantry Division during Operation Overlord, and, after the second week of the battle for Normandy, the battalion, along with the division, had been destroyed as a fighting force.

The M35 dress tunic was introduced for wear by all ranks on June 29TH 1935 as the walking out, parade and ceremonial dress with the piped, stone grey long pants. The design of the M35 dress tunic was based on the Imperial German army’s service tunic but was a different color and generally of much higher quality. Originally all personnel were issued two M35 dress tunics but manufacture was discontinued in late 1939 or early 1940 and was to be reinstated at the successful conclusion of the war. Regulations of March 21ST 1940 stated that the M35 dress tunics that were no longer suitable for dress wear were to be modified and reissued to personnel of the replacement and reserve units for every day wear. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the army’s Kleiderkasse, (Clothing Account), system. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase their uniforms from the armed forces clothing depots or to privately purchase garments of higher quality. Although enlisted personnel were issued their uniforms from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored uniforms although the price may have been restrictive.

This tunic is offered in excellent condition with soldat shoulder boards that feature 100th Panzer Battalion insignia. This is a high quality field-grey wool/tricot blend construction M35 dress tunic features a vertical, eight button front closure with dual metal hooks and eyes positioned at the forward neckline and a lay down, blue/green badge cloth collar. Collar tabs, shoulder boards and breast eagle are original period stitching. Features a Schützenschnur which is a Marksmanship lanyard awarded for proficiency for shooting a rifle or machine gun. Buttons are original.

Collar to shoulder: 10.5″
Shoulder to sleeve: 24.5″
Shoulder to shoulder: 16.5″
Chest width: 17.5″
Waist width: 18.5″
Hip width: 21.5″
Front length: 29″