Army M36 Pattern Sr. NCO Gebirgsjager Tunic, KRETA Cuff title
Price: Sold
Description: An M1936 style tunic for a Senior NCO of the Gebirgsjager. Tunic was tailored in Italy from a completely modified Italian Officers tunic (even the button holes were rearranged) with all early M36 Heer Insignia including an Italian-made KRETA Cuff Title that is totally original to this tunic. A super great one-of-a-kind Gebirgsjager Tunic whose original owner definitely saw service with the 5th Mountain Division during the invasion of Crete 5/41.
BACKGROUND: The development of the M36 field blouse can be traced back to April 1933 with the introduction of the first pattern field blouses which were a departure from the cut and style of tunics utilized in World War I. From its introduction until 1936 the field blouse underwent a couple of small modifications designed to enhance its performance, appearance and longevity. Modifications to the 1933 pattern field blouse began in December 1934 when the original field-gray basic cloth collar was altered to a field-gray badge cloth for a better appearance. In September 1935 the collar was altered again from the field-gray badge cloth to dark blue/green badge cloth. The final pre-war modification to the field blouse occurred in December 1936 with the addition of a partial lining to the interior breast and upper back panels to increase its wear-out time. Many chose to have uniforms replaced & tailored within the theater of their operations such as this tunic in the Mediterranean Theater. This NCO chose to retain and use his original early pattern insignia from his previous issue tunic on his new acquisition.
