Original German WWII Afrika Korps Panzer Tank Hauptmann’s M43 Tropical Tunic with Felt DAK Cuff Title Original Items

Original Item: One-of-a-kind. In early 1941, the German military began their conquest of southern Europe. Due to the warmer climates of these areas, the German Army needed to equip its troops with a more suitable form of dress, and replace the standard wool based feldgrau uniforms. The new “tropical” uniforms were lighter in weight, and dyed in colors ranging from light tan to dark olive.

This 100% authentic German World War Two M43 Heer Tropical Tunic is in very good lightly used condition. The tunic is made out of lightweight Herringbone Twill (HBT) material which has been dyed a darker olive/tan. The tunic features a machine applied BeVo tropical Heer Breast eagle, with the correct blue threads on an olive background. The left sleeve has an embroidered felt AFRIKA cuff title machine stitched about 15cm above the bottom of the sleeve, as per regulations. Both the eagle and cuff title are textbook, and properly applied.

This very nice uniform has the correct officer’s litzen on each side of the collar opening, which are on the correct early war dark green backgrounds for the field uniform version. The piped central stripes are Rosa (Rose-pink), which was the Waffenfarbe (corps color) during WWII for the Panzers (Armored Troops) and Panzerjäger (Tank Destroyers). The two litzen themselves are woven from a fine silver flatware thread. The button attached style shoulderboards each have two rows of fine silver flatware “Russia Braid” double piping and have the correct Rose-pink base material on the bottom and the edges. Each features gold “pips”, which denote the rank of Hauptmann (Captain).

The front of the tunic has five original buttons for the main closure, and four pocket buttons, all of which were originally a nice green color. They now have lost the original finish to a varying degree, and some may have been field replaced. All buttons are held in place with circular retainers, except for the lowest front button, which has a “German style” paper clip holding it in place. There is oxidation on many of the retainers, so they have definitely been in place for quite some time. As is correct for this type of tunic, it is unlined except for specific areas, such as the sides. Under the button flap on the right side, there is the size information stamped, possibly with a date:

39   92
67   56
43.

Under this is a possible maker mark: HBA Br.. Two belt hook adjustment straps are positioned on the sides of the tunic’s interior, and are securely held in place. The top button hole on the tunic has a Black / White / White ribbon sewn in place, indicating the wearer had received the Iron Cross 2nd Class. On dress uniforms, this would be sewn on the 2nd button hole, below the collar button. As these field tunics have no collar button, it is instead on the top button hole. The front of the uniform also has loops made of thread, which would originally have held a ribbon bar and various awards the officer had earned.

Overall condition is very good, though there is some wear and staining consistent with service. This gives it a fantastic “really been there” look that is impossible to duplicate.

Overall a fantastic totally genuine Afrika Korps M43 tunic with some great period wear, unlikely you’ll find one better anytime soon! This would be a perfect way to display a portion of your award collection by “dressing up” this example. Ready to display!

Approx. Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 8”
Shoulder to sleeve: 21”
Shoulder to shoulder: 15”
Chest width: 17″
Waist width: 16”
Hip width: 17.5”
Front length: 27″