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German Shirts
The German military began the War wearing a white collarless shirt first issued in 1933. This was rapidly found to be impractical due to the bright color and the lack of a collar. In 1940 a more practical model appeared that was made from field gray knit cloth with a collar. At some point, shirts appeared with 2 breast pockets. All of these shirts were rather long- much more so than a regular dress shirt. If you have ever worn trousers with suspenders and a tunic- and had the shirt come untucked- you will immediately appreciate the reason for the added length.
Variations: Like most German uniforms, the service shirts exhibited numerous variations. The color varies widely from stone gray, to pea green to field gray. The cloth can be knit, aertex (looks like a waffle pattern) or cotton poplin. Some shirts have pockets, most do not.Shirt Sizing
We have had some trouble equating these shirts to chest sizes or "S" "M", "L" etc.. Chest sizes do not work. I'm a 17 x 34, 44 chest; my friend is a 48 chest but also wears a 17 x 34 shirt. Many guys who wear are a 44 will wear a 16 neck instead, while a few have an 18. If you have never bought a dress shirt, you will need to learn how to in order to size these correctly. Measure your neck and sleeve length to be safe. If this is a mystery to you, the best bet is to go to any department store (Dillards, JC Penny, Sears, etc) and have them measure you off. It's very, very easy.Shirt Insignia?
I want collar tabs and tank destruction badges sewn on my shirt!
No, no, no. In 90% of photos, the Germans wore exactly nothing on their shirts. Nothing! In rare cases, shoulder boards appear. In still rarer cases sleeve or breast eagles are seen. Insignia was a rarity on the shirts. Insignia was seen more often in hot climates where the shirt was more likely to be worn without the tunic, but for most re-enactment concerns (Normandy, Normandy or Normandy) a "plain" shirt is the norm. Once in a blue moon, one will see a single (probably the highest awarded to the wearer) badge on the pocket. (Assault badge of some sort or an EKI)
This yo-yo business of collar tabs, 5 TD badges, Knight's Crosses and subdued rank on every sleeve is beyond farb.
Authentic, wear nothing on them but your sweat.
Farb, pile it on!
Washing Instructions:
HAND WASH ONLY!
Repeat-
HAND WASH ONLY! And hang dry. No machines!
Why? This knit does not like the agitator in washing machines. If you wash these in a machine, small pin holes will appear. I asked the manufacturer (and SM who has made similar shirts) and this is apparently the nature of the fabric. Not a flaw. My original shirt looks like a sieve (or it was hit with birdshot) so they had the same issues. I have hand washed my sample shirt 6 times and no holes appeared. We will not accept any washed shirts for return or exchange.Service Shirts?
We have discontinued the cotton poplin service shirts until 2010.ATF's German Knit Shirts
We now have a very accurate reproduction of the standard issue WWII service shirt. This is correct for all Heer, Waffen SS, and Luftwaffe impressions. These are made from the same type field-gray knit cloth as the original. This is the most "typical" with no pockets.
Like the original (unlike most other reproductions) these are extremely long. About 40 inches (110cm). This allows for some shrinkage and keeps the shirt tucked in despite the twists and turns of field use. Having a shirt come untucked when you are wearing suspenders and a tunic is maddening. Sleeves are long enough for most wearers- about 39 inches. The "clingy" nature of the cloth makes them comfortable even if you wear a shorter sleeve. Basically, these were copied from an original, and the details were set based on personal experience.
Which shirt is "most correct" for my impression?
From examining original photos, the most common garment is the knit shirt without pockets. Shirts with pockets existed, but appear to have been the exception..
German Knit Shirt
The most commonly seen shirt used by German troops all services during WWII. No pockets.
Hand Wash Only! (Details above)
$60.00
Note: We will NOT sew insignia (including shoulderboard loops) on the knit shirts.
German Knit Shirt
Availability
German Knit Shirt w/ pockets
Variation of the knit shirt with breast pockets. Otherwise, same as the shirt above.
$65.00Note: We will NOT sew insignia (including shoulderboard loops) on the knit shirts.
German Knit Shirt w/ pockets
Availability
German Army Tropical Shirts
Khaki-olive cotton shirt issued for service in North Africa and the Mediterranean areas of operation. These feature pleated breast pockets, scalloped flaps, shoulder board loops, split cuffs and authentic maker and size marks.
(FYI: Luftwaffe shirts are a different color.)
$60.00
Sleeves are 34". Wash in cold and line-dry.
| Tropical Shirt Size Availability | |
| Size I (15 x 34 ) | In Stock |
| Size II (16 x 34) | In Stock |
| Size III (17 x 34) | In Stock |
| Size IV (18 x 34) | In Stock |
| Size V (19 x 34) | Sold Out |
430 Rose Ln.
Columbia, KY 42728PHONE: (270) 384-1965
TOLL FREE: (866) 213-3946
FAX: (270) 384-1443Copyright At the Front/CNS, 2002