Heer M43 Tunic

Description

Insignia sold separately	Correct WWII pattern, 6 button front	Simplified pockets and flaps	Tapered waist
Gray satin lining	Chest and waist darts	Hook & eye at neck, collarbind buttons	26mm buttonholes and 4mm eyelets
19mm pebbled buttons	Belt hook hangers	HBT undercollar	Split cuffs

New ATF reproduction of the mid-War pattern Feldbluse, issued to troops of the German Heer (Army). Christened “Model 43” by enthusiasts, this tunic is a further simplification of those made in the preceding years. In contrast to those issues earlier in the conflict, these uniforms have pockets without pleats or scalloped flaps and the lining has been simplified and the internal suspender system has been replaced with short web straps sew directly to the body of the tunic. These tunics first appear in wartime photos around the battle of Kursk in July 1943. By the Summer of 1944, they are the predominant uniform worn by Heer troops on all fronts.

	The original tunic I used for a guide on these reproductions

ATF Reproductions: Like our other garments, these tunics are exclusive to us. The pattern was made directly from an original example around 2000 and this same design was used for our “Texled” uniforms in 2012-2013. Since we used only original WWII garments, our tunics fit properly and lack the infamous “suit coat shoulders” common to most other reproductions which were made using modified suit patterns. The wool is an 80/20 wool/ poly blend whereas originals were 80/20 wool/ nylon. (Yes, nylon- we had multiple samples tested by a fabric lab.) The fieldgray is a typical, grayish mid-War shade and the lining is gray artificial silk.
I chose a lighter colored thread for these base on one of my originals- I thought the contrast looks good.
The undercollar is made from linen/ cotton reed green HBT.

Not visible, but present, are the many facings and internal reinforcements behind the plackets, belt hook holes and buttonholes. Things nearly all other reproductions skip to save a few cents.

Belt hook hangers: The hangers in Heer Feldblusen came in two types- cut down/ recycled pieces of internal suspenders which had holes sewn on both sides, and the purpose made one constructed from lining fabric (rayon or cotton) or canvas which only had holes in one side of the fabric. These are ORIGINALS so they aren’t mistaken. Both styles of hangers can be found in ORIGINAL M42, M43, DAK (Tropical), and Reed Green HBT tunics. Our tunics use the latter type.

These are a Heer (Army) uniform: The Waffen SS had their own, slightly different model. Did the SS ever wear these? Yes! Occasionally one will see them in studio photos of SS troops- so it did happen.

Sizing and Length: Like most jackets, Feldblusen were made according to chest size and body height.
DRY CLEAN ONLY!

The Germans based the “length” off of the torso measure (Rückenlänge), the distance from one’s neck to their belt line, which is at the center belt hook hole on a Feldbluse. In typical form, the Germans made a far wider range of sizes than most armies, one to fit every possible eventuality, which results in at least 20 chest sizes and 7 lengths, or 140 unique sizes. That is not practical to recreate, so we have condensed them into the most common 10 sizes. See the size table for the breakdown.
Here is an article explaining How German Feldblusen were sized in WWII.

Length: The approximate height ranges for each length are:
Short = 5’3″ – 5’8″ (Sleeve 23″)
Regular = 5’9″- 6’0″ (Sleeve 25″)
Long = 6’1″- 6’6″ (Sleeve 27″)

Imported

Insignia: All versions of Litzen, breast eagles, rank insignia and shoulderboards that existed during WWII can be found in use on these tunics. Most often, they came from the factory with an “M43” breast eagle and gray, “generic” Litzen. Click here to see the German Insignia section

Insignia sewing? We no longer offer any sort of sewing services. Check the Vendors section on the links page. About midway down there is a category for “Sewing & Tailoring” services.