German issued black woollen trousers for Allied prisoners of war

Pair of German issued black woollen trousers without cuffs worn by Allied prisoners of war . A 60mm wide strip of brown cotton drill fabric has been let into the outward facing side seam of both legs. A pocket with a vertical slit opening has been let into the leg seam on the side of both hips. The pressed steel buttons on the waistband and concealed fly are impressed with 'SUSPENDER' and they are painted black. The waistband is lined with white cotton fabric, which has also been used to make the pockets.

Allied prisoners of war in Germany, from the ranks only, during the First World War, were issued with black dyed uniforms with an identifying brown cotton band or stripe. Officers were permitted to wear their own uniforms. Most uniforms were supplied by the British Red Cross and were actually standard British Army khaki uniforms that were then dyed modified with the brown stripe or band.