Waffenrock

( lso ) was originally a medieval German term for an outer garment, worn by knights over their armor.

Later, became the generic term for any military uniform, including dress and parade uniforms, and also referred to epaulettes or shoulder boards with rank insignia, as well as uniform cuffs, badges and other insignia. As of 1945, the term is no longer in use by German speaking armed forces, though the Swedish term for a military tunic is the cognate .

Historical roots

was derived from the substantive ''wâfenroc'' or ''wâpenroc'' ("weapon tunic") of knights. It was often made from expensive silk cloth. The colours of this cloth corresponded to those on the shield quartering. In spirit of this, the heraldic figures on the coat of arms were frequently designed by gold and silver embroidery.

In the Prussian Army, the service coat was common called . It was renamed to ("soldier's tunic") in October 23, 1842, by the Prussian cabinet order of His Majesty (german: allerhöchste Kabinettsorder). In 1843, it was finally renamed to .Word and tradition in the German Army (de: Heer), by Transfeldt – v. Brand – Quenstedt, 6th increased edition, Hamburg 11 H.G. Schulz 1967, p. 2, roots of the noun: . All German-speaking armies commonly used this wording, except for the Austro-Hungarian Army (later Austrian Army), where the designation was in use.

World War II use

In its form as issued in 1935, it was a formfitting thigh-length eight-button tunic of fine wool, without external pockets. The collar was taller than the service tunic and bore more elaborate embroidered all in silver-white and mounted on backing; smaller , similar in appearance to , appeared under the buttons on the dark-green Swedish cuffs. piping also edged the collar, cuffs, front closure, and scalloped rear vent.

Officers wore a formal belt of silver braid. Trousers were , with the outer seams piped in . In the full-dress uniform () the was worn with medals, aiguillette (officers), trousers and shoes, the , gloves, and sword (officers/senior NCOs) or dress bayonet (enlisted). Parade dress substituted the steel helmet and jackboots. Semi-formal () and walking-out () uniforms were as full-dress, but without aiguillette and with ribbons replacing medals.

Production and issue of the was suspended in 1940, and either the service or the officers' ornamented uniform was worn for dress occasions instead. However, the remained authorized for walking out for those who had or could purchase it; and it was a widespread if unauthorized practice to loan a soldier a from regimental stocks to get married in, as evidenced by many wartime wedding photos.

Historical examples

The gallery below shows examples of over the suit of armor.

File:1967 CPA 3589.jpg,
File:Raphael - Saint George and the Dragon - Google Art Project.jpg, ) and lance
File:Peraldus Knight.jpg,
File:Codex Manesse (Herzog) von Anhalt.jpg,
Dresden-Zwinger-Armoury-Tournament.01.JPG,

The gallery below shows examples until 1945.

Frederick II of Prussia.jpg,
Stabsfeldwebel k.u.k InfRgt 94.png,
Franz von Berger.jpg,
Zollmuseum HH Waffenrock Hamburger Zollkontrolleur.jpg,
Wehrmacht Heer Waffenrock 3.jpg, {{center, {{lang, de, Waffenrock Hauptmann of the {{lang, de, i=unset, Wehrmacht ca. 1939

See also

* Adjustierung
* Tunic (military)

References

German military uniforms
Military insignia
Military uniforms