Hello everyone,

I was at a Winchester, Virginia flea market recently on Sunday and picked this tunic up for literally $1. Interestingly, it features a U.S. military clothing label with an appropriate spec. format that lists the size as 44 in addition to " TUNIC, WOOL, NATO-OFFICERS 100% WOOL DRY CLEAN ONLY SIZE 44 MADE IN WEST GERMANY."

Obviously it's a post-war piece, but I wondering if anyone has information on the date, production (how many were made), and the years they were generally issued to the fledgling West German Army. I've been wearing it around generally as it fits me well and reminds me of a late-war battle dress uniform. It would certainly make for a great piece to convert into a period WW2 tunic.

Thanks,
Polygon

I have worn these tunics until winter 1984 in the german Army. We called them "Filzlaus". It was warm and a good protection against cold and rainy weather.

Regards

Kolibri

Thank you for the information- do you happened to know how common these were and when they were first introduced?

Polygon,

these Uniforms - tunic and trousers - were common in Army, airforce and Navy. Durind my active duty, we had new tunics, not so heavy made, but similar looking. These old "filzlaus" was given to us as a second set only for the winter time. I presume, that the tunic was introduced in the late 50th or early 60th. I don't know it exactly, and was worn until to the early 80th.
You can buy the tunic and the trousers here in surplus shops for small money.

Regards

Kolibri

Another question- were the NATO tags ever seen on the "filzlaus?" I was told by some that it was added ad hoc as opposed to officially attached to the uniform (for instance, the size mentions 44 rather than in a metric unit).

Polygon, I have never seen these NATO-tags inside the Filzlaus. Every tunic has had the German tag. Tunics with NATO-tags were made for the export and were not produced for german army official use. I presume, these NATO-tags were added to the tunics, to sell them on the oversea market. I presume also, that your tunic is without the the german national flag at the sleeves? Thats one of the points to identify a non official tunic. Kolibri

That's what I assumed, and no, the tunic does not feature any insignia in particular. I thought it was rather odd that there was a "standardized" NATO tunic as indicated by the spec. label which curiously resembles those found on U.S. BDUs and related uniforms.

It's still a nice piece of course. Would you happen to know of any U.S. surplus outlets where I could find West German militaria in particular? Over here, West German uniforms/equipment in general appear difficult to come by.

Polygon,

have a look at: www.raeer.com - they have all what you want.

Regards

Kolibri