I received my M40 tunic yesterday from Militaria Net and it looks and fits fantastic 
.
However, I'm wondering if I'm putting in the belt hooks correctly.
I have 4 sets of 3 holes around the waist of the tunic. Each set of 3 holes are arranged vertically.
The top of each belt hook has two loops that look like a scissor handle.
At each of the 4 vertical hole sets around the waist. I have simply put the bottom of the hook through the bottom hole. I have done this from the inside so that the top scissor handle end is in the inside of the tunic and that the hook is protruding on the outside of the jacket ready to accept the belt.
However the problem is that when I put any downward pressure on my belt, the hooks start to slide out 
Does anyone have any links to instructions or pictorials on how these are supposed to work? Thanks.
AGM MP40 - AGM STG44 - CYMA Thompson M1A1 - WE P08 4 inch - Marushin M1 Carbine GBB - AGM Sten MkII
Hmm... most tunics (except the M36) should have some little tabs sewn inside, also with three holes in. You put the hooks through those, and they take the weight. The M36 (and it appears your M40) were designed to have over-the-shoulder internal suspenders, which is actually a far superior method, since your shoulders are bearing the weight, rather than the internal fabric of the tunic. The best place to get these from is At The Front. I'll take some pics of my tunic to show you what I mean. [edit - give me a while - ruddy camera battery's flat]
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
For the M36 and M40 tunic you need the internal suspenders to carry the load of your belt kit.
http://www.atthefront.com/g_uni_interna ... rs_how.jpg
This system was designed to do away with external suspenders/Y straps. It does work but I prefer y straps and belt hooks as a load carrying system.
aka Stigroadie
AFRA
better by design
"Truth is a shining goddess, always veiled, always distant, never wholly approachable, but worthy of all the devotion of which the human spirit is capable. "
Or you can use both. 
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
Here we go...
Some people don't like the belt hook system - personally, I think it's great.
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
Some people don't like the belt hook system
Some people are silly.
With a full load, if you have the leather parts adjusted correctly, belt, y straps and belt hooks makes load carrying easy. It stays put and spreads the load via the tunic. I have not suffered from sore shoulders where the straps rub with German kit. I have with Brit and American.
aka Stigroadie
AFRA
better by design
"Truth is a shining goddess, always veiled, always distant, never wholly approachable, but worthy of all the devotion of which the human spirit is capable. "
I have not suffered from sore shoulders where the straps rub with German kit. I have with Brit and American.
As with many other things - the Krauts did it right 
A thing to bear in mind is that the cheaper tunics have tabs with attachments for belt hooks but no proper internal suspenders. They'll work fine if you just use them for a belt and bayonet but your tunic liner will tear if you try to hang a full load off them (well, they did with mine anyway)
Should have gone to Hugo Boss, Herr Bay und Haa 
A thing to bear in mind is that the cheaper tunics have tabs with attachments for belt hooks but no proper internal suspenders. They'll work fine if you just use them for a belt and bayonet but your tunic liner will tear if you try to hang a full load off them (well, they did with mine anyway)
Tunics after the M40 did only have those little tabs in real life. By that time, the Y-straps were widely used.
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
He's right you know.
Same idea on Panzer uniforms.
You dont need internal suspenders when you have external ones. If you are ripping the tabs out you need to take some load off the hooks. Shorten your Y straps.
aka Stigroadie
AFRA
better by design
"Truth is a shining goddess, always veiled, always distant, never wholly approachable, but worthy of all the devotion of which the human spirit is capable. "
Thanks guys & thanks for posting pictures Steiner as I totally understand it now .
I just checked the inside lining of my tunic and there are two channels beneath the lining at either side that run all the way from the front two belt hook holes, all the way over the shoulder, and down to the corresponding belt hook holes at the back. So I can feed two suspender strips into these two channels.
I'll order up two suspender strips from ATF (dont want to say suspender belts LOL!)
Smart system (once someone shows you!).
AGM MP40 - AGM STG44 - CYMA Thompson M1A1 - WE P08 4 inch - Marushin M1 Carbine GBB - AGM Sten MkII
Are the belt hooks necessary for use with Y straps?
ΓΕΈΓΕΈ
My armoury;
Tanaka Kar98(1942 woodwork and parts), M1 Garand AEG(1940's woodwork and metalwork), MG34, SVT40, Mosin Nagant M44, MP40, PPSH41, Luger and PPK.
I have not suffered from sore shoulders where the straps rub with German kit. I have with Brit and American.
As with many other things - the Krauts did it right
A thing to bear in mind is that the cheaper tunics have tabs with attachments for belt hooks but no proper internal suspenders. They'll work fine if you just use them for a belt and bayonet but your tunic liner will tear if you try to hang a full load off them (well, they did with mine anyway)
oh martin, i am afraid i disagree with that,,,, the leather webbing system was obsolete in ww1, cotton canvas webbing is still used today in some armies.
( waits for the storm of protest from our german comrades 
)
Are the belt hooks necessary for use with Y straps?
No but they really do help to keep the load spread and the kit in the right place.
They are a pain to use if you are solo, the back ones can be hard to hook your belt onto, but they rock.
aka Stigroadie
AFRA
better by design
"Truth is a shining goddess, always veiled, always distant, never wholly approachable, but worthy of all the devotion of which the human spirit is capable. "
oh martin, i am afraid i disagree with that,,,,
STORM OF PROTEST!!
Seriously Nige, try wearing a full set of WW2 German webbing for a day and tell me it's not more comfy than 37 pat.
Wot - no raw patches of skin and annoying bits that dig into you?
Besides, the German soldier looked like he was about to conquer the world, whereas the Brits and Yanks looked like they were about to fix your car 
whereas the Brits and Yanks looked like they were about to fix your car
Or steal it?
aka Stigroadie
AFRA
better by design
"Truth is a shining goddess, always veiled, always distant, never wholly approachable, but worthy of all the devotion of which the human spirit is capable. "
but,,,, if british wedding is worn properly, it doesnt rub.
german stuff is always trying to dissasemble its self.
Belt hooks are a pain in the arse if you have Y straps. They just get in the damned way, and deform your belt where they carry any weight. Great for parade, useless in the field. Many German veterans will tell you that they removed the things in combat.
german stuff is always trying to dissasemble its self.
Yes. It's a feature. The speed of German victories meant that it didn't have to stay together for very long 
