1950's West German Army camoflauge Jacket

[Norton]

I am a great users of military surplus clothing and equipment for camping and general outdoors activity. I appreciate the quality of materials, design and workmanship that goes into items designed for long lifetimes of use in the field. Plus the historical value of holding an item in your hands that is part of history is special.

My friend great board contributor (also expert on survival rations) Steve1989 sent me this jacket. It is a West German Bundeswehr jacket from the 1950's
It has a slightly bluish cast to the green background and all geometric shapes with the rain drop marks throughout. The snaps and zipper are very high quality. It has padded elbows like a paratroopers jacket and a elastic type waist band. I can't wait to use this on my next canoe trip.( Depending on the weather)

Thanks again Steve

1

Pattern

pattern

Sleeve

sleeve

Markings

markings

Don't bleach?

don't bleach

Side by side with Austrian camoflage

side by side with 1959 dated Austrian Camoflauge

Color photo

period photo

paratrooper

Howitzer Crew 1950's

Howitzer crew 1950s

The U.S. Army Rangers borrowed both German and French Camouflage in the early 1960's for NATO exercises
This photo is from 1963 (Thank you West German Army )

U.S. Troops wearing this same uniform 1963

West German camoflage 1963.jpg (40.34 KiB) Viewed 5843 times

[meo]

Nice Jacket, nice quality for such a old one. the Pattern btw. is a "Splittertarn" (Splinter pattern) and the Marking says simply "Unbrauchbar" (unusable). The "Don't bleach" is maybe just a patch with some Name on it. Don't Bleach would be "nicht bleichen" or "keine Bleiche" (no Bleach)

[steve1989]

Thank you for that information, meo!

Welcome to the forums, good sir! You know, I am really glad you came over here from the YT comment boards, meo - makes me real glad I posted that Coast Guard approved Ration on YT now.

Norton is a great friend and I am so glad he likes this jacket. I feel like it's a real gem, and they don't make them like they used to! This jacket is really high quality and it's kinda heavy. Was certainly destined to be in Norton's collection.

[housil]

"Splintertarn" or "Splittertarn" was first used by German Military in 1931. The Wehrmacht issued it in 1941, the Swiss Army also used it since 1940.
After the war, the German border police (Bundesgrenzschutz) also used that pattern in 1951, same with the new German Army called "Bundeswehr", they used it from 1951 to 1960.

Nice old pictures showing the secretary of defense "Franz Josef Strauß" that was also our Bavarian governor for many years.