Original German WWII 2nd Artillery Regiment Enlisted Observer M35 Waffenrock Dress Tunic with Marksmanship Lanyard & Awards – dated 1936 Original Items

Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a very nice service used condition Artillerie Mannschaften Beobachter (Artillery Enlisted Observer’s) M35 Waffenrock dress tunic. It features eight silvered pebbled buttons on the front closure, which are all in very good condition. The breast features a machine embroidered forest green and silver bullion thread eagle, sewn to a green wool backer. The eagle is without damage and is very neatly hand stitched to the chest in a fashion typical of wartime German tailor work.

The collar is wrapped in a dark-green “badge cloth” wool, and the base material of the two bullion enlisted dress litzen on each side of the collar opening is Hochrot (Deep Red) wool, the Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) during WWII for Artillery, as well as General Level Officers. As this is an enlisted tunic, it is definitely for Artillery. The collar, front closure, and other areas of the tunic bear piping of the same color. There is some wear and damage to the piping on the left side of the closure, which could be from moth or wear. There is also some missing in spots around the rest of the collar.

The “sew-in” style Mannschaften Schulterklappen (enlisted shoulder straps) of this Waffenrock have a dark green “badge cloth” base wool, which is piped in deep red. They are both marked with the red stitched number 2, most likely for the 2nd artillery regiment, and the button is marked with a 1 for the 1st company. The straps have a red gothic letter B embroidered as well, for a Beobachter (observer). There are no rank “pips” attached to the straps, which would indicate the lowest enlisted rank of Soldat (Private) in the Artillery. The lower French style cuffs of the sleeves have a dark-green based wool, and is adorned with correct deep red piping and backing for the silver litzen.

The interior is lined with a very nice olive colored cotton rayon blend, with a pocket on the left interior, as is standard. It has size markings on the left inside over the pocket, which look to read:

98 43
42 — —
88 61

B 36

These markings indicate that this overcoat was issued at the Berlin Depot in 1936. The size markings most likely indicate the following:

Chest: 98cm = 38.6 in.
Neck: 43cm = 16.9 in.
Torso Length: 42cm = 16.5 in.
Total Length: 88cm = 34.6 in.
Sleeve Length: 64cm = 24.0 in.

Below the size markings are very faint markings that look to be a regiment. They may read W. B. A. 2. / 1, but we cannot be sure.

Featured on the right shoulder is a beautiful 1st Pattern Heer Army Marksmanship Lanyard without subsequent awards. This early version just has the Heer Eagle on a shield, with out the wreath and swords of the later versions. The condition is very good, showing only light wear, and is maker marked T. & H. on the felt backing, which has some light mothing. The bullion portions are still bright and look great.

Above the left pocket is a three award medal bar, showing that the soldier received the War Merit Cross with Swords KVK, Eastern Front Medal, and Wehrmacht Heer 4 Year Long Service Award. There is also an EKII 1939 ribbon installed on the second button hole from the top. Below this the following awards are attached:

– One German WWII Army Heer Flak Artillery Badge – Unmarked
– One German WWII Bronze DRL Sports Badge by Wernstein.
– One German WWII Black 3rd Class Wound Badge for 1-2 wounds. It is maker marked on the back with Lieferant number 65, for Klein & Quenzer A.G. of Idar-Oberstein.

Overall condition of the Waffenrock and attached items is very good, showing wear from service. Some of the buttons have definitely been replaced, not surprising for such an early issued item. There are some moth nips in areas, and the piping is torn in various areas.

This sharp looking 2nd Artillery Regiment Waffenrock Dress Tunic comes ready to research and display!

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9″
Shoulder to sleeve: 24.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 15.5”
Chest width: 18″
Waist width: 17″
Hip width: 21.5”
Front length: 30″

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.