Original German WWII Heer 22nd Cavalry Oberwachtmeister NCO M35 Waffenrock Dress Tunic with Aiguilette Cords Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a beautiful Heer Cavalry Unteroffiziere mit Portepee (Senior 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 light wear, especially around the top edge, where some of the stitching has worn through.

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 22 attached, which we believe are for the 22nd Cavalry Regiment. The buttons retaining the straps are marked with the number 9, for the 9th Company. TWO rank pips are present on the shoulder boards, indicating the cavalry rank of Oberwachtmeister (Senior Watch Master), an NCO rank equivalent to a U.S. Army Master 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 very good, with some wear and light oxidation to the bullion. There are some thread loops on the left hand side where awards and a medal bar were most likely attached at some point.

Eight silvered buttons adorn the front of the tunic and all appear to be originally attached, and 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, with another ring of tresse indicating a senior NCO. 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.

The Waffenrock has a very nice NCO dress aiguillette cord setup on the right hand side, held under the shoulder board and attached to the buttons. It does not have the additional end fittings, usually only seen on Officer’s cords. These were to be worn on specific occasions requiring formal dress, or at any time on Parade when A H might be present.

This lovely Cavalry Oberwachtmeister NCO Waffenrock comes ready to display!

Approx. Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9”
Shoulder to sleeve: 26.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 15.5”
Chest width: 18.5”
Waist width: 16.5”
Hip width: ”20.5
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.