Germany, Heer. A Pair of Tropical Field Trousers, Late-War Issue, by Hans Kappelmeier

(Heer Tropen Hose). A well-preserved pair of Heer tropical field trousers, constructed of a light olive-drab cotton cloth. The waistband features an integral belt consisting of an olive-drab cotton/rayon strap executed in a herringbone twill (HBT) pattern, emerging from two points at the front, with the left side retaining an olive-drab painted magnetic steel buckle complete with claws to fasten to its opposite side. A single belt loop is stitched into position on the left to secure the portion of the strap that exceeds the buckle. Two side pockets are set into the upper thighs, and open with reinforced diagonal slashes. An additional narrow pocket opens with a horizontal slash at the upper right thigh. A single back pocket is set into the upper right leg, and fastens closed with a single zink button meeting a reinforced buttonhole. A French fly features six zink buttons meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes perforated into hidden flaps of identical material. Two straps extend from the back of the waistband into the interior and fasten with zink buttons for the accommodation of suspenders, while four loops are distributed around the waist, with two retaining zink buttons. A partial white cotton liner surrounds the waistband and also forms the interior chambers of the pockets. Stamped onto the liner is a Reichsbetriebsnummer (RBNr.) of “1/0850/0241”, credited to two wartime manufacturers but specifically to the firm of Hans Kappelmeier (or Kappelmeis/Kappelmeister, as interpreted from partially-legible labels retrieved from other examples bearing this code) of Freising. The manufacturer’s code is flanked by legible size dimensions and an additional mark of “M44” indicating distribution from the Munich Depot in 1944. The trousers measure approximately 40 cm across the waist, with an inseam of 36 cm, and an overall length of 106 cm when folded on a flat surface. Demonstrating only minor and age-appropriate soiling and material fatigue, these late-period trousers remain in an extremely fine condition.