Original German WWII Heer 27th Cavalry Wachtmeister NCO M35 Waffenrock Dress Tunic Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a beautiful Heer Cavalry Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee (Junior NCO) M35 Waffenrock Dress Tunic. The base material of the uniform is made of a fine feldgrau colored wool. The wool shows no signs of any physical damage by misuse but does display light wear, staining, and a bit of mothing. The collar is wrapped in a dark-green wool, decorated a strip of 14mm flat silver-grey woven rayon braid (Unteroffoziers-Tressen), sewn around the collar border.

The base material of the two dress litzen on each side of the collar opening is Goldgelb (Golden-Yellow), the Waffenfarbe (corps color) for Cavalry, as well as reconnaissance and armored reconnaissance units with cavalry traditions. The collar, front closure, and other areas of the tunic bear piping of the same color. The two litzen themselves are woven from a different pattern flatwire tresse, with bullion embellishment. The collar and its insignia show only light wear, with some loss of the “nap” of the fabric around the top of the collar.

The “sew-in” style NCO schulterklappen (shoulder straps) of this Waffenrock have a dark green base wool, with the correct NCO Tresse sewn around the entire edge, and are piped in golden-yellow. They have the metal numerals 27 attached, which we believe are for the 27nd Cavalry Regiment. The buttons retaining the straps are marked with the number 2, for the 2nd Company. No rank pips are present on the shoulder boards, indicating the cavalry rank of Unterwachtmeister (Junior Watch Master), an NCO rank equivalent to a U.S. Army Sergeant.

The front breast eagle is a correct NCO Pattern executed in silver wire. The eagle is very neatly hand stitched to the chest in a fashion typical of wartime German tailor work. It is only sewn to the outer layer, so it is definitely original to the tunic. Condition is excellent, with only some light wear and no oxidation to the bullion.

Eight silvered buttons adorn the front of the tunic and all appear to be originally attached, and are maker marked on the back. The collar still retains the two hook and loop fasteners. The lower French style cuffs of the sleeves have a dark-green based wool, and are adorned with golden yellow piping and NCO Tress flat silver borders. The sleeve litzen are the correct silver on yellow for cavalry. The interior is lined with what looks to be a cotton and rayon blend, and is in very good condition. We were not able to find any markings on the interior.

This lovely Cavalry Wachtmeister NCO Waffenrock comes ready to display!

Approx. Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 10″
Shoulder to sleeve: 24.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 14.5”
Chest width: 18”
Waist width: 16″
Hip width: 19”
Front length: 28″

The M35 Waffenrock 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.