A Desirable M43 SS Tropical Sahariana Field Blouse

This is a desirable and rare M34 tropical uniform of the SS; only recently acquired from a prominent collector in New York. Contains two pieces: Tunic (AKA Field Blouse = Feldbluse) and Pants. The tunic is fabricated from khaki cotton twill, with a flap that extends across the shoulders and is stitched in place at four points, two on the front and two at the back, with both shoulders adorned with straps for the placement of rank insignia. The collar is trimmed in an 8 mm wide strip in light brown embroidery sewn in place via black and light brown threading along the entire length at the edge. There is a black and greenish brown machine embroidered SS tropical eagle sewn in place on the left shoulder. The front has four pockets sewn in place to the body of the tunic, smaller ones on each breast and larger ones on either side below at the waist, each of the pockets with a fold over flap and reinforced button hole for the brown painted aluminum buttons. The buttons have pebbled uppers, maker marked "JFS" (Josef Feix Söhne, Gablonz) flanked by "19" at the left and "41" at the right (1941) on the reverse and are secured in place via magnetic s-shaped metal wires. The left breast pocket has two vertically-aligned horizontal loops in white threading for placement of an award, that has since been lost to time. The front has a vertical row of four brown painted aluminum buttons on the right side, the same type as those used on the pockets, facing an equal number of reinforced button holes on the left side, the top button hole with an East Medal ribbon fed through it, the other end of the ribbon wrapped around the opening of the tunic, with both ends of the ribbon stitched in place on the inside. Both cuffs are single-vented and in the button down style, each with two brown plastic buttons, along with a reinforced button hole for an adjustable fit at the wrist. Inside, there is a small pocket sewn in place beside the opening with a reinforced button hole and brown plastic button closure. There are two ties sewn in place below the armpit on either side, the armpit itself with four reinforced ventilation holes. The tunic is stamped on the panel on the right side opening with the acceptance markings in black ink "90" surrounded by, clockwise from the upper left, "41, 43, 62, 66" and identified "M43" below. There is a loop sewn in place at the collar for hanging the jacket on a hook, the tunic measuring 420 mm across the shoulders and 590 mm in length overall. The pants are fabricated from khaki cotton twill, with a four olive green plastic button fly, along with an olive green plastic button at the waist for a secure fit, the waist button chipped. It has five pockets: deep side-entry pockets on both sides at the front, each of which is white cotton-lined; a small khaki cotton-lined pocket to the right of the fly; and deep white cotton-lined pockets on either side on the rear seats; each pocket with button down flaps with olive green plastic buttons and reinforced button holes. The rear comes with two adjustable magnetic buckles and straps, to aid in a snug fit at the waistline, along with two vertical straps with olive green plastic buttons for attachment to suspenders, each of the straps with two olive green plastic buttons, two of which are chipped. There are five light brown painted clips spaced at equal intervals around the waist, the one on the far left in magnetic metal, the other four are aluminum. The cuffs on the legs are single-vented, each side with a reinforced hole, along with a strap incorporating two ties sewn at the mid-point between the vented opening, the ties on the right strap having been shortened. The waist area is lined with a 60 mm wide white cotton panel, which is stamped at the rear in black ink "Wesel Heppenheim" above "78" over "106" and "88" over "104". There are two olive green plastic buttons on either side at the waist, along with a loop at the rear for hanging the pants on a hook, the pants measuring 470 mm in width x 970 mm in length. Both items exhibit light soiling from active use. Extremely fine.