1956 Truppenversuch jacket

[Asbjoern]

Today some stuff was delivered to me ... of main interest for me was this jacket ...if I´m not completely blind it is the same type of jacket as it is shown on page 30 of Schusters book...nominated as one of three types Truppenversuch jackets made in 1956!!
It seems to be worn for a longer time as ther is evidence of different insignia on the sleeve ... the shoulderboards are also made of a different fabric...

Regards,

Jens

[Asbjoern]

fff

[Asbjoern]

sss

[hoover]

Wow.

Where do you find this kind of nice items?

[Asbjoern]

This was for sure only by luck... it came in as part of a trade as the former owner did not collect TrVers ...

Jens

[Collectinsteve]

WOW!! I mean WOW!!

I wonder if this was the basis for the Gebirgsjäger jacket? It shares the same overall look, pockets, gathered waist, and button cuffs. In fact, if you did not say this was a TruVsu jacket for the general BW I would have predicted it was intended for GJ only.

I notice the production date is 1956. Was this meant to replace the Affenjacke?

Steve

[speedytop]

Hi,

a Bw Truppenversuch jacket for females in 1956

And the buttons so asymetric?

Uwe

[Asbjoern]

Originally Posted by speedytop

Hi,

a Bw Truppenversuch jacket for females in 1956

And the buttons so asymetric?

Uwe

Uwe, the buttons are on the correct side ... if they are closed tehy are hidden behind cloth ...

And yes, the former owner told me that he onec bought it as early GJ tunic...

Regards,

Jens

[PASSAUER8884]

Very Nice! Can't help but wonder like Steve said if this was a test for a replacement for the affenjacke?.

[Guardian 5]

Jens does it again - bravo!

All the best - TJ

[Collectinsteve]

There are too many similarities to the GJ jacket for this to be unrelated. Two possibilities, I think:

1. It was designed to be a general replacement for Affenjacke, but instead became a specialized GJ jacket.

2. It was always intended on being used by GJ soldiers, and was either a very early item or a trials for it.

I have GJ Splittertarn trousers from 1957, so it is clear by this date (at least) the BW was experimenting with specialized clothing for GJ soldiers.

Here's a picture from 1959 which shows they already have a specialized jacket with the laces on the sides:



Steve

[Asbjoern]

In Schusters new book this type of jacket is defientely called Truppenversuch, mat to replace the Affebjacke. The speciem in the book shows the same maker on the label as mine ... maybe the first specialized GJ tunic was made after this type ? I don`t know ...

Jens

[Gordon Craig]

Jens,

If I understand what Schuster says in his book, this was one of the jackets used as a Trupenversuch in Oktober of 1956. One of the other tunic used in the trials was one very similar to the Wehrmacht Fleigerbluse.
The firm of Pfenning & Hoppe were contracted to make these jackets hence the matching dates of 10 56 on the label shown in Schusters book and on the label in your tunic. There is no indication in the book that there is any link with this tunic and the GJ. The caption under the picture of the tunic which is the same as yours is as follows;

1. Rock im Stil der Feldbluse M44 der Wehrmacht; ein derartiges Muster war bereits bei den EVG-Verhandlungen u.a. in Vergleich zum sogenannten "Eisenhower-Jacket" (US-Modell) in die engere Wahl gezogenworden

1st Tunic in the style of the field blouse M44 of the Wehrmacht; similar examples were already used in the EVG negotiations, among other things, in comparison to the so-called "Eisenhower Jacket" (US model) which was the final choice.

For those on the forum who are not that familiar with what the EVG uniform and the Wehrmacht M 44 bluse looked like I'll post pictures below. The pictures of the EVG uniform are from Jörge-M Hormann's book "Die Bundeswewhr und ihre Uniformen - 30 Jahre Bekleidugsgeschichte". The Wehrmacht M 44 bluse is from my collection.

Regards,

Gordon

First the EVG uniform.

[Gordon Craig]

The M 44 bluse. You really lucked in when you received this tunic. There can not be very many or them still in existance.

[Collectinsteve]

Thanks Gordon!

I have never seen detailed photos of the EVG dress jacket. I am only familiar with the combat uniform. Thanks very much for that!

Not surprisingly, I suppose, the EVG is heavily influenced by the US and British uniform designs. The Ike Jacket, as it is known, was inspired by the earlier British Battle Dress:



The French also used a wool jacket throughout the 1950s (not sure until when) inspired by the Ike Jacket they wore during WW2. The French TAP mle 47 inspired the EVG combat uniform, which in turn inspired the BW Leibermuster. It's not surprising to me that the the EVG dress uniform inspired early BW dress uniforms. In fact, it makes a lot of sense.

Given this, I think this indicates that the GJ jacket (which came about at least in 1957) was inspired by these earlier designs. If you look at the GJ jacket and the one Jens acquired, you can see many similarities. You can also see the US Ike and EVG waist closure in the GJ jacket.

I always wondered where the GJ jacket's inspiration came from. I'm sure this is at least most of the answer.

Steve