This Wehrmacht Feldbluse M 42 (field tunic Model 42) represents an important developmental stage in German military uniform history during World War II. The Model 42 was introduced in 1942 and represented a simplified version of earlier field tunics, resulting from increasing material shortages and the need for more rational production methods.
The field tunic belonged to a Feldwebel (senior sergeant) of Infantry Regiment 6, a unit with a long tradition in the Wehrmacht. The rank of Feldwebel was an important non-commissioned officer grade that carried considerable responsibility in troop leadership. This is evident from the characteristic mouse-gray NCO braid running around the collar, which was machine-sewn.
The white Waffenfarbe (branch color) on the shoulder boards and collar patches clearly identifies the wearer as belonging to the Infantry, the numerically largest branch of the Wehrmacht. The system of Waffenfarben was already established in the Reichswehr and adopted by the Wehrmacht to visually distinguish between different branches of service.
Particularly noteworthy is the Bevo-woven breast eagle, which was sewn on subsequently. The company BeVo (Bandfabrik Ewald Vorsteher) from Wuppertal was one of the main suppliers of machine-woven insignia. This technique was more cost-effective and faster in production than hand-embroidered examples and was particularly preferred from 1942 onward.
The production stamp “F 43” inside the tunic provides information about the year of manufacture, 1943. The Reichsbetriebsnummer (Reich factory number) enabled the identification of the manufacturing company within the system of the German armaments economy. This system was introduced to trace the origin of military equipment while simultaneously concealing actual company names for security reasons.
The Model 42 differed from its predecessors through several characteristic features: the field tunic now had only six buttons instead of the earlier eight, the pocket flaps were simplified, and the dark green collar was no longer detachable. These changes served material conservation and accelerated production, which became increasingly important given the war situation.
The three loops for pin-on badges on the left breast were intended for the Iron Cross First Class, the Infantry Assault Badge, and possibly the Wound Badge. These decorations documented the wearer's combat experience and bravery.
The silk lining inside the field tunic was a quality feature that was increasingly replaced by simpler materials from 1943 onward. Its presence in this piece suggests production during the transitional phase when certain quality standards could still be maintained.
The contemporary alteration to make the field tunic smaller is an authentic detail showing that the garment was actually worn and adapted to the wearer's needs. The removal of the belt support loops might indicate use in the post-war period as civilian clothing, which was common since clothing was scarce in the immediate post-war period.
Infantry Regiment 6 had a long military tradition dating back to the Prussian Army. During World War II, infantry regiments were the backbone of the German ground forces and were deployed on all theaters of war.
The preserved measurements of the field tunic – shoulder width 43 cm, sleeve length 60 cm, total length 64 cm – correspond to a medium size and provide insight into the standardized ready-to-wear sizes of the Wehrmacht. The slight moth damage is typical for textiles from this period and diminishes the historical value of the object only marginally.
This field tunic is an authentic witness to German military history and documents both the technical aspects of uniform production and the personal history of a Wehrmacht non-commissioned officer during World War II.
