DSO and Private Purchase Flecktarn

There's an official Bundeswehr uniform available for DSO (Special Forces) soldiers that is completely different than the standard uniform. It comes in 5 Color (temperate), 3 Color (Desert), and the semi-official "Wüstentarn". It is very difficult to find genuine BW items, however it isn't that difficult to get the private purchase ones made by Leo Kohler, Sabre, and probably others. As far as I can tell the private purchase ones are identical to the issued items in nearly every aspect. I've seen non-DSO soldiers wearing this type of uniform in Afghanistan so I'm guessing the private purchase stuff is showing up there.

Steve

Parka (private purchase)





Trousers (BW issue)






Picture from Sabre:




The Sabre Wüstentarn (it is their copyrighted product) Parka, Shirt, and Trousers:









I have genuine 5 Color (temperate) trousers, but they're identical to the desert ones except in standard Flecktarn colors.

Very nice samples teve!
thanks for sharing... the sabre version reminds me very briefly of the new spanish uniform.. specially in the pull back shot

cheers

You're welcome!

One thing to note. The 2002 genuine BW type 3 color desert trousers I have use solid colored heavy nylon fabric for the pockets and knee pads. The commercially available desert trousers I have use the same fabric but in camouflage, as does the BW issue 2002 5 color temperate trousers I have. But I'm pretty sure I've seen solid color 5 color trousers as well.

Steve

Hey Steve,
nice sets you got tehre. I'd even go that far and believe that the set in the first 3 pictures is deemed the 'snipers' version of the smock and the pants. The indicator and trigger for this assumption are the additional loops on the smock.

Just one other thing, although DSO translates to Division Special Operations, it is more or less the specialized division for units which are airmobile like Fallschirmjäger, Fernspaeher (Long Range Reconaissance), Luftlandefernmeldebatallion DSO (Airborne Signal Bn DSO) and of course also the guys from KSK (Kommando Spezial Kraefte - German Special Forces).
The Division is fairly new (April 1st 2001) as it was formed from the former Kommando Luftbewegliche Kraefte / 4. Division (Airmobile Forces Command).

I've been wondering about the "Sniper" designation. I've not seen much evidence that the BW has two variants. I know the commercial items come in two variations, one usually referred to as "KSK" and the other "Sniper". But those are just marketing terms for these uniforms since I've seen regular infantry (not in DSO, not Sniper) wearing these uniforms.

I use the term DSO for these uniforms because that's what the BW originally made them for. Apparently Not just KSK, but not initially for Grenadier Hans either

Steve

Very nice Desert kit Steve, really like these over the standard BW issue kit, cool addditions Congrats!!!

I was going to query/suggest the loops are for attaching camo strips, but that seems to be answered already ,which is cool.