BACKGROUND: (Dienstrock Alter Art) The old style service tunic was introduced for wear in the Reichswehr during the short lived Weimar era, and was to be replaced with the field blouse after its introduction during the Third Reich. The old style service tunic was quite popular with the older Officer’s which resulted in the wearing out period being extended to March 31ST 1942 for all Officers beneath the rank of General. Officer’s with General ranks continued to wear the old style service tunic with all but the formal dress uniform right up until the end of the war. Officer’s were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and were allotted a clothing allowance. Generally speaking officers bought nice quality, private purchase, uniform items but they could also choose to buy their uniforms directly from the military clothing depots. 

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Very nice quality, light weight, field-grey wool construction tunic with a subtle whipcord weave. The tunic features a vertical, eight button front closure with dual metal hooks and eyes at the neckline. The edge of The tunic features two pleated patch breast pockets and two diagonally angled slash hip pockets, all with scalloped button down flaps. The right breast has hand embroidered, Officer’s quality, breast eagle in gilt wire and bullion threads, with golden/tan cotton accent threads on a cut-out, blue/green badge cloth base. The eagle shows heavy age tarnish. The eagle is neatly handstitched to the tunic. The right breast has two horizontal thread loops while the left breast has two vertical and seven horizontal thread loops for wear of awards. The straight cut, non-adjustable, sleeves have deep, fold back French cuffs which are stitched in the upright position. The reverse of the tunic has a central, vertical, tail skirt vent with two belt ramp buttons situated at its top edge. The tunic has sewn on shoulder boards consisting of dual interwoven golden yellow gilt wire braid with a third central, interwoven silver/aluminum braid mounted on a red wool waffenfarbe base. The tunic did have at one time caduceus cyphers added to it, (cyphers are included in the pocket). The shoulder boards indicate the rank of Generalmajor. The shoulder board retaining buttons are intact. The tunic has a lay down, blue/green badge cloth collar with the typical zig-zag reinforcement stitching to the reverse. The collar has the first pattern, (circa 1900), hand embroidered, Arabesque style, "Larisch", General ranks collar tabs in gilt wire threads mounted on large red wool waffenfarbe bases. Of Note: The first pattern "Larisch" collar tabs only has two prongs as opposed to three prongs on the second pattern collar tabs as introduced in April 1941. The collar tabs are handstitched to the collar. The interior of the tunic is fully lined in a green rayon blend fabric with off white striped sleeves. The lining has a vertical field-grey rayon strap with an HBT, (Herring Bone Twill), weave and a nickel/silver plated sheet metal friction clip handstitched to the bottom edge of the left armpit opening for securing the sword or dagger hanger. The lining has a small diagonal slash to the reverse of the left hip pocket also to accommodate the sword or dagger hanger. The lining to the right sleeve is well marked with black inkstamped markings consisting of, "Württ. Staatstheater B.I. 705" (State theater). The tunic is in overall very good condition with minor nap wear to the cuff and collar edges and light age and usage toning. The interior lining has a small tear and another small section has been cut out with a handstitched repair. The buttons are all the gilt washed, pebbled, magnetic sheet metal type and all appear to have their original stitching. The tunic is roughly size 40" chest. The jacket has some issues... Insignia is 100% original, however.. the collar tabs are definitely replaced. The breast eagle, shoulder boards & buttons look to be original stitching. Not sure if the theater replaced the tabs or if it was something that was period done.