m/22 Summer Blouse (Kesäpusero m/22)On 30th of June 1919 a new Summer Blouse was confirmed for use in all branches and all ranks. This summer tunic was made out of cotton, was steelgrey and leaned on its design to the Imperial Russian summer blouse, Gymnastyorka. The Summer Blouse was a shirt-like garment of a pullover type, light weight and relatively simple. It was to be used instead of the heavier woolen tunics during the warmer summer months. This model was confirmed on 30th of June 1919 and in 1922 named as M/22 Summer Blouse . The enlisted men and NCO-models had flat tin buttons and the officers model had small coat-of-arms buttons. Even though the m/22 Summer Blouse was originally intended for all ranks and branches, it soon went through some changes. The introduction of m/22 Summer Jacket for officers relegated the use of the blouse to voluntary basis. A separate, but similar, m/22 Summer Blouse was introduced for bicycle troops. It had one added button in the front closure and moved the pockets from the hips to the chest. The belt loops were also closed witha button instead of being sewn on the blouse on both ends. It was also 10 cm shorter than the regular m/22 Summer Blouse. The m/22 Summer Blouse continued to serve succesfully until the introduction of m/32 Summer Blouse. Due to heavy use, not many of the m/22 Summer Blouses survived to see issue during the Second World War and only few examples still survive to this day.
Last updated: May 2nd, 2018 |
Universal m/22 Summer Blouse (Yleinen kesäpusero m/22)As the name suggests, the m/22 Summer Blouse was originally intended for all ranks and branches. The lightweight blouse was ideal for summer use as Finnish summer can get quite warm and a wool uniform was not ideal in those conditions. It also continued the old Imperial Russian style of having a separate woolen winter tunic and a thin cotton blouse for summer use. While it was officially confirmed for the military on 30th of June 1919, barely half a year later the officers received their own m/22 Summer Jacket which would replace the blouse. Officers were allowed to continue using the m/22 Summer Blouse as well if they so chose. This was most likely due to the economics of the time - sparing the officers from having to replace those blouses they had already acquired. Like mentioned in the opening part the only difference between others and officers blouse were the buttons. While the other ranks would have flat tin buttons the officers blouse would have small coat-of-arms buttons on them. |
Description in the RegulationsTasavallan Presidentin päätös koskeva Valtakunnan sotavoimien virkapukuja (S.V.), 1922 Colour and material: Steelgrey cotton. Cut: Straight like an undershirt. The opening in the chest has 2 buttons. Length: Down to the crotch. Collar: Turn-down collar, closed with 2 buttons. Sleeves: The sleeves are straight and have 7 cm tall cuffs, two buttons for closure. Pockets: Two pockets sewn on top of the blouse, down below the waist. One button for the pocket flap. Buttons: Officers: All buttons are small coat-of-arms buttons. Other ranks: All buttons are flat tin buttons. |
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Author's Collection |
Bicycle Troops m/22 Summer Blouse
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Description in the RegulationsTasavallan Presidentin päätös koskeva Valtakunnan sotavoimien virkapukuja (S.V.), 1922 Colour and material: Steelgrey cotton. Cut: Straight like an undershirt. The opening in the chest has 3 buttons. Length: 10 cm from the crotch. Collar: Turn-down collar, closed with a hook. Sleeves: The sleeves are straight and have 7 cm tall cuffs, two buttons for closure. Pockets: Two pockets sewn on top of the blouse, on the chest with pleats. One button for the pocket flap. Belt loops: Two belt loops on the sides that are attached on the top with a single button. Buttons: Officers: All buttons are small coat-of-arms buttons. Other ranks: All buttons are flat tin buttons. |
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Author's Collection |
