Original German WWII Heer 13th Cavalry Wachtmeister NCO M35 Waffenrock Dress Tunic with Period Repairs Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely Heer Cavalry Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee (Junior NCO) M35 Waffenrock Dress Tunic, which has definitely seen long service. It shows some period repairs, and the interior lining is worn through on the bottom left and may also show some repairs. The base material of the uniform is made of a fine feldgrau colored “doeskin” weave wool. The wool shows no signs of any physical damage by misuse but does display wear, staining, and some small tears. The lower left front and side show stitch lines, indicating that the bottom 5 inches or so was replaced during the WWII period. The bottom corner of the right side along the closure was replaced as well.

The collar is wrapped in flaschengrün (dark bottle-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 some 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 are the 1938 pattern, with a dark bottle green base wool, with the correct NCO Tresse sewn around the entire edge, and are piped in golden-yellow. They have the metal numerals 13 attached, which we believe are for the 13nd Cavalry Regiment. The buttons retaining the straps are marked with the number 3, for the3rd 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 BeVO machine embroidered pattern executed in silver wire on a dark bottle green base. 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 buttons with pebbled aluminum tops 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 bottle 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 good service worn condition, with some damage on the lower left as mentioned before. We were not able to find any markings on the interior.

This lovely well broken-in Cavalry Wachtmeister NCO Waffenrock comes ready to display!

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9″
Shoulder to sleeve: 27”
Shoulder to shoulder: 14”
Chest width: 17.5″
Waist width: 16″
Hip width: 19″
Front length: 28.5″

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.