History of German Moleskin Uniforms

[Collectinsteve]

Most BW collectors know there are several types of Moleskin uniforms issued after the Arbeitsanzug was discontinued and before Flecktarn was issued. However, until a recent discussion with fellow members here I had thought there was only 3 different models of the uniform issued from 1963-1991. However, evidence came to light that there were in fact 4 different models issued. A special thanks to PASSAUER8884 for helping uncover this 4th type and providing the picture I used (below) for 2. Modell Jacket.

The uniforms can basically be thought of as two different major types with one significant modification each. Therefore, 1. and 2. Modell look fairly similar to each other, but different than 3. and 4. Modell. Likewise, 3. and 4. Modell have more in common with each other than with 1. and 2. Modell. The exception being 3. Modell Jacket, which has features more similar to 4. Modell but looks more like 2. Modell.

Below are pictures with labels and arrows pointing out various differences. Feature changes are noted, the feature similarities are not. There are probably other differences that are not shown in my pictures. These are just the major differences that are fairly easy to spot.

A note about the dates. If you see a "?" it means the exact date is not known to me, but I'm probably within 1 year of the correct date. If there is no "?" after the date then it is a pretty solid date (production probably overlapped). Trouser dates should be the same as the jackets.

Enjoy!

Steve

P.S. I am looking for a mint condition 2. Modell Jacket and mint condition 3. Modell Trousers. eBay pictures are horribly unreliable so I will need to get these from a collector who can examine the labels to check dates.

[Marc Sherriff]

Thank you very much for all that information in one go. I will have some reference to work from when I get to my box of old BW stuff.
May I ask what the waist buttons are for please?
Marc

[Collectinsteve]

You're welcome! I was going to just describe this stuff in text, but pictures are so much nicer. More time consuming to make, but nicer

The buttons directly below the pockets are for holding the bottom of the old style flashlight. The flashlight has two leather straps with the top using the pocket button.

I do not know what the center button is for. Perhaps it was to hang the flashlight (loose) when the soldier had all his field gear on? As you can see, the purpose of this button was found unimportant and removed. Interestingly they also found it unimportant to have both left and right sides capable of holding the flashlight, so for the 4. Modell (and Modell B TruVsu 1988 Flecktarn) they limited it to just the left side of the soldier.

Steve

[hoover]

Steve, very nice idea! That is what I am missing in the recent books...

[Gene T]

Very nice indeed, Steve. It really clarifies the timeline of the major changes.

The one feature I would label differently is your "reinforcement tapes", on both the shirt and the trousers. I think "suspension straps" would be more apt a term. I believe the feature is put there so that when the shirt is worn tucked in, the horizontal suspension straps on the trousers would pass through the slots (of which there are multiple, to accommodate different torso lengths) of the corresponding vertical straps on the shirt, so that the latter would stay put under exertion. The fact that these were omitted from the fourth and last model of shirt and trousers (as well as their subsequent Flecktarn homologues) is probably a reflection of the fact that shirt-tucking went out of style somewhere in the mid '80s


Gene T

[Collectinsteve]

When we collectors think of a really good research book, this is the sort of stuff we usually find completely lacking. Even Kunstwadl, who did a better job than anybody else IMHO, skims over many details like this. Most likely because the official documentation is poor and the only really sure way to figure this out is to know what questions to ask. Then ask those questions of many collectors. Even then it takes a lot of effort!

My near term plan is to retire from my day job soon and spend a part of my free time writing small, focused books specifically for collectors. That won't make me much money, but it will be a lot of fun. Which is why I have more profitable plans for the rest of my time

But that's for a later day!

Gene,

Yes, I didn't know what to call them. Unfortunately I did these images in a quick and dirty program so I can not go back and edit. I really should have done them in PhotoShop. Lesson learned.

Steve

[LIS]

Collectinsteve
Couldn`t you attach the photo of the 4th Modell`s tag? I`ve never seen this jacket, dated before 1989. On army photos before 1988 all soldiers wear 3rd Modell.

Best regards, Alex

[Collectinsteve]

Hi Alex,

The problem is I only have two 4th Model jackets and one set of trousers, therefore it is a very small sampling and doesn't mean much.

The dates are 1988, 1990, and 1991.

The trials for the 4th Model were in 1984, so 1986 would be about right for the full production to start. But I do not have an official answer, only pieced together information. If anybody has better knowledge of dates this would be quite helpful.

Thanks!

Steve