BASIC MILITARY UNIFORM M/36

 

Tunic m/36 (asetakki m/36):

PICTURE: Finnish military tunic m/36. This particular tunic is very late production (year 1963) and apparently unissued, but for all practical purposes identical to pre-war manufactured tunics. Blank dark red collar patches with black borders and brass badges on epaulets that have cannon shell with burning fuse insignia indicate rank of Gunner (tykkimies) in field artillery. Photo source Digitaltmuseum.se - original photo by Armémuseum (Sweden), CC BY 4.0 Creative Commons license. CLICK THUMBNAIL TO SEE LARGER PIC (111 KB).

While tunic m/36 was a direct further development from tunic of experimental uniform m/34, it also had some notable changes. The notable of these is probably change in color of the fabric (wool) to steel-grey, which probably for the large part credited to proposal made by Lieutenant General Harald Öhquist (1891 – 1971). The likely main reason or this change of uniform’s color was most likely a financial one – namely it allowed uniform items previously acquired for old military uniform m/22 to be continued to be used with new uniform. The other significant change was replacing open collar design used in tunic m/34 with "Polish-style" folded collar closed with two small metal hooks. Apparently the primus motor for changing type of tunic collar was Lieutenant General Hugo Österman (1892 – 1975, Commander of Finnish Army in 1933 – 1939) according whom "leaving top buttons open and using lapels may easily lead into diversity (in soldier’s appearance) and even to unruliness". With introduction of these changes Finnish military tunic m/36 became groin-length tunic made from steel-grey wool and is closed with single row of six large buttons, the lowest of which was slightly under waistline and standing folded collar with was closed with two metal claps. The tunic has large external breast pockets (about 10 – 12 cm / 4.0 – 4.7 in wide) and even larger (19 – 22 cm / 7.5 – 8.4 wide) side pockets, which both have flaps closed with standard Finnish uniform buttons featuring coat of arms lion emblem. There is no center seam in back of the tunic, but there are seems on sides of the tunic. Back of the tunic has belt hooks made from metal for keeping the belt in its correct place. Tunic collar is made from the same steel-grey wool as rest of the tunic and is folded standing collar about 5 – 7 cm /2 – 2.8 in high. Cuffs are straight cuff type with slit about 12 cm / 4.7 in long closed with two small hidden buttons. Hidden inside the cuff was a small button that can be used for tightening mouth of the cuff. Tunic epaulets are made from the same wool as rest of the jacket and about 6.0 - 6.5 cm (2.4 – 2.6 in) wide, getting narrower towards their end that is closed with small coat of arms lion emblem buttons.

PICTURE: Military tunic m/36 of Captain (Kapteeni) serving in field artillery. This tunic appears to be the same type as issued to enlisted men. Notice collar patches, which were not used in earlier Finnish military uniforms. Red collar patches with black frame and red piping in epaulets limit the options of service branch to field artillery, antiaircraft artillery, fortification artillery and some other small units. Triangular red-black symbol seen in cross strap going across chest and on left side of field cap are unit patches for Continuation War (1941 - 1944) era 2^nd Artillery Battalion of Field Artillery Regiment 7. Collar patches used by officer ranks had/have details referred as "twigs" in their front corners, collar patches used by senior officer ranks (Major and above) had/have double frames. Belt seen here is officer's leather belt m/27 and hat is still field cap m/22. Breeches may not be original, since they appear to be notably darker than tunic. Photo taken in Museum Militaria, Hämeenlinna. CLICK THUMBNAIL TO SEE LARGER PIC (113 KB).

If compared to military tunic m/22, which military tunic m/36 de facto mainly replaced in Finnish Army, tunic m/36 could be adjusted to fit into individual soldiers in far larger degree. This was not only due to better jacket cut and not quit tightly fitted, since its sizing were planned for situation in which several shirts (including sweater) to be worn under the tunic when needed. But tunic sizing was also more adaptable due to two fold in back of the tunic, which could be cut open to allow more room around waist and belt hooks having six sets of holes belt hooks for adjusting placement of belt. The folds were about 20 cm / 8 inches long and sewed close from length of about 7 cm / 2.8 in. In addition of side and chest pockets tunic m/36 has also inside pocket intended for first-aid bandage in hem of the jacket. In general this tunic model was moderately better for combat use than tunic m/22, although one could argue that it was not necessarily better in this regard than tunic of field uniform m/27. Still it seems that the primary motivations in developing it had included good looks and compatibility with older existing uniform items (which effected mainly to uniform color).

PICTURE: Officer's version of Finnish military tunic m/36. The officer's version of tunic m/36 has small differences to normal version, most visible of which are tapered pocket flaps seen in this photo. Collar patches indicate that the tunic belonged to Major (Majuri) of Engineer Corps, who served in Ministry of Defense or in some unit belonging to it. Photo source Digitaltmuseum.se - original photo by Armémuseum (Sweden), CC BY 4.0 Creative Commons license. CLICK THUMBNAIL TO SEE LARGER PIC (117 KB).

As with earlier Finnish uniform tunics, also tunic of uniform m/36 had some special versions. The most common of these special versions was cavalry version, which is 5 cm / 2 in shorter, but otherwise similar to normal tunic m/36. Another rarer, but more distinctive version of tunic m/36 was leather jacket m/36 made from leather (typically black leather, although there are claims about some jackets being made from brown leather as well) leather, which was also originally issued with leather pants. Although the soldiers did not always wear the whole leather uniform m/36, since only jacket or pants are sometimes seen period photos. It is worth noting that this was not a first leather uniform used by Finnish military, since it was preceded by leather uniform m/22. For Finnish Tank Corps leather uniform m/36 and particularly its tunic became status symbols, whose wartime production proved impossible due to shortage of leather. Hence when Finnish tank units expanded considerably during World War 2, leather uniforms m/36 became items only available for the lucky few, who had been able to obtain one.

During World War 2 military uniform m/36 was de facto the standard uniform for Finnish Army with wartime shortages having considerable effect to it in numerous ways. One of these ways can be seen in uniform standard issue Finnish uniform buttons, which sport the Finnish coat of arms lion. Originally these buttons were made from copper or brass, but during World War 2 the button material first changed into zinc in year 1941 and later to Bakelite, which is early type of plastic. Some sources claim that the Bakelite uniform buttons were introduced in year 1943, but this is probably wrong, since they seem to appear already in some period photographs taken in early 1942. In addition at least in some point during the war also flat buttons (apparently also made from Bakelite) seem to have been used in tunic manufacturing instead of normal standard issue buttons. Another major way was change in fabrics being used in uniform production during the war – originally uniform m/36 had been made from imported high quality wool, which was no longer available during the war. As the war progressed wool got replaced in large degree with substitute materials.

PICTURE: Two Finnish Army World War 2 era tank crew uniforms. The one on the left is leather uniform m/36, which was version of military uniform m/36 made from leather and only used by tank corps. The leather tanker's helmet is similar to Soviet tanker helmet design and in fact many of them were re-issued captured Soviet leather helmets. The belt is officer's leather belt m/27 with German pistol holster for Parabellum pistol. Another uniform of sort that the tank crews were also using particularly late in the war was overalls. The attire contains seen in the photo contains also field cap m/36 and leather belt m/30. Photo taken in Finnish Military Museum (Sotamuseo), Helsinki. CLICK THUMBNAIL TO SEE LARGER PIC (133 KB).

In 1930’s Finnish army peace-time conscripts typically had been issued two tunics m/36 – with one tunic being reserved to be used in holiday uniform, while another tunic was used in service uniform. The normal practice for these uniform tunics was that the tunic used in holiday uniform had collar patches, while the tunic used in service uniform lacked those. Another pre-war uniform item found in tunics m/36 issued to peace-time conscripts were unit markings made from fabric, which were sewn into tunic epaulets, later on these were replaced with unit markings made from brass which had earlier only been used by regular military personnel. During World War 2 the only soldiers who commonly used collar patches in their tunics were the ones whose rank markings were in those collar patches – in other words: officers. Although not all officers did not use collar patches in their tunics, since during the war it became quite common for officers to place heraldic roses indicating their ranks into tips of collar tunic in similar manner as with military tunic m/22. The known reasons for this were poor availability of correct collar patches caused by wartime material shortages and trying to be less of a bullet magnet for enemy snipers. Non-commissioned officer ranks were marked with white stripes of cloth sewn in tunic epaulets.

It is known that there also existed some uniform tunics m/22, which had been modified to uniform tunic m/36 standard. However their total number was presumably quite small and at least officially their use had been limited for service uniform use only – probably so, because the basic cut of the two uniforms was so different that tunic m/22 could only be modified to resemble m/36 up to a certain degree. The typical modifications were replacing of collar, epaulets and jacket sleeves. Change in uniform regulations that allowed tunic m/22 to tunic m/36 was introduced in June of 1941.

 

Trousers for uniform m/36 (asepuvun m/36 housut):

Finnish uniform regulations specified that three types of trousers could be worn with military uniform m/36, these were:

· Straight pants: Standard issue straight pants made from the same steel grey wool as uniform tunic m/36. Originally straight pants were the type of trousers issued for conscripts, later on during World War 2 they became the standard trouser type typically issued for enlisted men.

· Riding breeches: These trousers are also made from the same steel grey wool as military tunic m/36. Being riding breeches they may have leather or fabric reinforcements in buttocks. They have similar large buttoned opening on the groin as in riding pants m/27, but also fabric loops going under soles of foot for securing trousers legs. Before the war riding breeches were typically used by officers and senior non-commissioned officers, but during the war the situation was not quite as straight forward. While there is good reason to believe that riding breeches remained more common especially among officers than with other ranks, straight pants seem to have been more common and use of riding breeches not as exclusive as in peace-time army.

· Trousers originally introduced with military uniform m/22: While this was not exactly a standard issue trousers type for military uniform m/36, Finnish military was not into wasting money, so existing trousers of military m/22 could be worn with tunic m/36, although according uniform regulations pre-war use of this combination was to be limited to combat training and field training. While trousers of military uniform m/22 are also grey wool, they can be often easily spotted even from black-and-white period photographs by being notably darker grey, than standard issue trousers of military uniform m/36. In addition cavalry and Air Force did not just stop using their own m/22 trouser types, which had already developed into status symbols. Although cavalry’s red riding breeches and Air Force’s dark blue straight pants with grey stripes on sides for practical purposes apparently got transferred into status of items belonging for holiday uniform and dress uniform use only.

PICTURE: Lieutenant of Finnish Air Force in summer tunic m/36, trousers are Air Force breeches m/22 and Air Force field cap m/22. Bright blue collar patches with black frames indicate Air Force and brass unit markings in epaulets verify this. The belt is officer's leather belt m/27 with pistol holster for L-35 pistol. The badge on tunic pocket is pilot's badge m/18 (lentomerkki m/18) - Finnish Air Force version of pilot's wings and used from year 1918 to year 1945. Photo taken in Finnish Military Museum (Sotamuseo), Helsinki. CLICK THUMBNAIL TO SEE LARGER PIC (141 KB).

It is worth noting that officers, senior non-commissioned officers and military officials could also acquire themselves (fancier) uniform trousers made from diagonal wool. In general the cut and design of trousers of military uniform m/36 was very similar to those already earlier issued with field uniform m/27, although wool used in them was different and obviously their color was medium steel grey color instead of brown-green-grey of field uniform m/27. These trousers designs were also basically identical to those used with experimental military uniforms m/34. All other soldiers except conscripts normally had side stripes that indicated service arm and also rough reference to level of military rank.

 

Summer tunic m/32 (kesäpusero m/32):

Finnish Army had issued summer tunic made from lighter fabric already with military uniform m/22, but it could not be officially worn with field uniform m/27 and it took couple of years until new summer tunic was developed and approved. That new summer tunic was summer tunic m/32 (kesäpusero m/32), which was manufactured in two basic versions due to Finnish Army, thas was still using both military uniforms m/22 and field uniforms m/27 at that time. Those two basic versions were brown-green-grey summer tunic m/32 intended to be used with trousers of field uniform m/27 and steel-grey summer tunic m/32 vanh. (vanhempi = older) intended to be worn with trousers belonging to military uniform m/22. These tunics were completely made from cotton and this included also collar, cuffs and epaulets. The total length of this tunic is such, that reaches about 5 - 7 cm / 2 – 2.8 in above groin and is closed with covered single row of six flat metal buttons with a flap going under a collar. Back of the tunic has sown in fabric belt about 4 cm / 1.7 in wide made from the same fabric as rest of the tunic. Sides of the tunic have fabric belt loops closed with small buttons. Tunic collar was soft, double layered, folded downwards and closed with two buttons. Sleeves have cuffs about 8 cm / 3.1 in wide and closed with two buttons. Tunic sleeve cut is such that they taper towards the cuffs. Some but not all of these tunics have elbows reinforced with additional layer of fabric. The only pockets only found in these tunics are breast pockets, which are external pockets closed with tapered flaps and closed with buttons. The tunic has tapered epaulets sown into the tunic from one end and closed with a standard buttons that sport the lion from Finnish coat of arms. Typically all other buttons except the ones used with epaulets are flat dull grey colored aluminum buttons with four holes.

PICTURE: Group of soldiers from Häme Cavalry Regiment (Hämeen Ratsurykmentti) photographed in 1930's. They all seem to be wearing variations of summer tunics m/32. Trousers appear to be riding breeches and boots have riding spurs attached in them. All except one of the hats are field caps m/27 and the only exception among them is so high, that it might be field cap m/34. Leather belts are apparently leather belts m/27. (Photo Jaeger Platoon photo collection.) CLICK THUMBNAIL TO SEE LARGER PIC (204 KB).

Summer tunic m/32 was officially approved to use of Finnish Army, Air Force and Coastal Artillery in May of 1932. It was intended to use of non-commissioned officers, military officials and conscripts. Officers were allowed to use this tunic only as part of field uniform. In pre-war era senior non-commissioned officers and military officials used on tunic epaulets unit markings made from brass, while conscripts normally used painted unit markings that were on fabric patches sown on tunic epaulets. Early on conscripts seem to have often used shoulder boards originating from military tunic m/22 with their summer tunics m/32 – this may have been due shortage of standard fabric patches with painted unit markings at that time. In just a few years summer tunics m/32 and m/32 vanh. were replaced in uniform manufacturing by summer tunic m/36 and because of this was never issued in large scale – the heyday of these two summer tunic models was in mid 1930’s, when they were issued in limited numbers to numerous military units. Epaulets used in summer tunics m/32 and m/32 vanh. lacked the colored piping used in normal epaulets of summer tunic m/36. Once summer tunic m/36 had been officially approved, markings of rank used in summer tunics m/32 and m/32 vanh. got replaced with standard m/36 markings. Still while summer tunic m/36 became the new standard also summer tunics m/32 and m/32 vanh. manufactured by that time remained in use and apparently saw use in World War 2 until they worn out in harsh wartime use.

 

Summer tunic m/36 (kesäpusero m/36):

There is reason to believe that this summer tunic was originally only intended to be used in garrison duty, but practical experiences forced Finnish military to issue it more widely for summertime use. The reason for this was apparently that tunic m/36 proved much too warm for warm summer days, due to which summer tunic m/36 first went to large scale production and later entered to mass-production in year 1940.

PICTURE: Staff Sergeant (ylikersantti) of Finnish Army in typical military uniform m/36, which is composed of summer tunic m/36, breeches m/36 and field cap m/36. Green collar patches with white frame indicate that his service branch is infantry. Belt is leather belt m/30 with pistol holster model that was used with pistol m/19. Photo taken in Finnish Military Museum (Sotamuseo), Helsinki. CLICK THUMBNAIL TO SEE LARGER PIC (116 KB).

This summer tunic model was clearly a further development of summer tunic m/32 vanh. – in other words the grey colored version of summer tunic m/32. Like its predecessor it was normally manufactured from cotton and was closed with six aluminum buttons hidden under a flap of fabric. The main visual difference to summer tunics m/32 vanh. is re-locating marks of rank from shoulder boards and epaulets to colorful collar patches, whose colors indicated unit type and other details level of military rank. This difference is often not easy to spot because this change was not implemented for conscripts and reserve officers until year 1941 and due to wartime shortages of collar patches particularly junior non-commissioned officer ranks routinely used their rank markings in epaulets and this was not very not uncommon for senior NCO ranks either. Not only did officers often have trouble finding correct colorful collar patches, but collar patches also proved to be somewhat of a liability for officers serving frontline, making officers wearing them a priority target for enemy snipers. Hence there were orders issued by many units to reduce officer casualties ordering officers to remove collar patches and wear brass heraldic roses indicating their military rank in collar tips of their tunic in similar manner as with field tunic m/27. Summer of 1944 this was confirmed as new official standard when orders were issued for all rank markings to be placed on tunics without collar patches – officers were to attach their heraldic roses indicating rank to collar tips in previously explained manner, while non-commissioned officers were to mark them to tunic epaulets with white stripes of fabric. Early production summer tunic m/36 have cuffs with slits about 12 cm / 4.7 inches long closed with two aluminum buttons in similar manner as summer tunic m/32 and m/32 vanh, but sometime circa 1941 – 1942 these were replaced in production with straight cuff design, which became a new standard for production from that on. While original standard fabric for summer tunic m/36 was cotton, which looks light steel grey from a distance but is actually composed of black and white yarn woven in crisscross pattern, senior non-commissioned officers and officers could privately acquire summer tunics made from diagonal wool.

 

 

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