BACKGROUND: The Reichsluftwaffe was official established on February 26^TH 1935 as the third branch of service of the Armed Forces. On March 9^TH 1935 the formation of the new Reichsluftwaffe was announced to the foreign press and on March 16^TH conscription was reintroduced for all three branches of service. On May 21^ST 1935 the Reichsluftwaffe designation was altered to Luftwaffe. The standard pattern service uniform was adopted by the Luftwaffe in March 1935, and was based on the uniform worn by personnel in the Deutscher Luftsport Verband, (German Air Sports League), a civilian forerunner of the Luftwaffe, as early as 1933, with minor modifications. The 1935 pattern uniform tunic was designated Tuchrock, (Cloth tunic), and was worn open at the neck. On November 11^TH 1938 a new pattern tunic was introduced that had allowances for it to be worn closed at the neck. The 1938 pattern tunic was designated Anzugrock, (Uniform tunic), and was intended to replace the 1935 pattern Tuchrock and Fliegerbluse, (Flight Blouse). The 1938 pattern tunic eventually did replace the Tuchrock, but not the Fliegerbluse. Officer and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the Luftwaffe’s Verkaufsabteilung, (Air-Force Sales Department), system. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase their uniforms from the armed forces clothing depots or to privately purchase uniform items of higher quality. Although enlisted personnel were issued their uniforms from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored uniforms although the price may have been restrictive. The different branches of service within the Luftwaffe were allocated specific, identifying, waffenfarbe, (Branch of Service Colors), with bright red being chosen for personnel serving with the Flugzeugabwehrartillerie, (Anti-Aircraft Artillery), units which was generally displayed as collar piping for EM/NCO’s, (discontinued in March 1940), on the collar tabs and as piping on the shoulder strap/boards of the service tunic. Regulations of April 11^TH 1937 introduced the position and corresponding insignia of Hauptfeldwebel which was the equivalent of a Company Sergeant Major. The designation of Hauptfeldwebel was not an actual rank but an appointed position granted to a senior NCO who was charged with internal responsibility of company sized unit. The identifying insignia for the Hauptfeldwebel consisted of dual strips of NCO’s tress positioned on both the lower left and right sleeves of the service tunics, the flyer’s blouse and the field blouses. Of Note: The Hauptfeldwebel was commonly nicknamed, "Der Spiess", (The Spear).

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Officer’s quality, 1935 pattern, private purchase, Luftwaffe blue/grey, wool/rayon, blend construction tunic with a subtle whipcord weave, features a vertical, four button, front closure with small, fold back, lapels and a lay down collar. The tunic has four, pleated, patch, front pockets with straight edged, button down flaps. The right breast has a nice quality, machine embroidered, first pattern, "droop-tailed", (circa 1934-1936/1937), Luftwaffe eagle in silvery/white rayon threads with tan accent threads and black eye detailing, on a cut-out, dark blue/grey, wool base. The eagle is neatly handstitched to the tunic. The left breast pocket has a single, vertical thread loop for wear of an award. The straight cut, non-adjustable, sleeves have deep, fold back, French cuffs which are tacked in the upright position at both the inner and outer sleeve seams. Both of the French cuffs have dual, evenly spaced, horizontal, bright silver/aluminum, waffle patterned NCO’s tress stripes machine stitched in place signifying the owner had been appointed as a Hauptfeldwebel. The tunic has no allowances for the belt support hooks. The reverse of the tunic has a short, central, vertical, tail skirt vent. The tunic has sewn on shoulder straps in Luftwaffe blue/grey wool with bright, silver/aluminum, waffle patterned, NCO’s tress to all the outside edges, two stamped, natural aluminum ranks pips to each and bright red rayon waffenfarbe piping. The shoulder strap retaining buttons are intact. The forward edge of the lay down collar is trimmed in twisted, bright red, rayon cording and bright, silver/aluminum, waffle patterned, NCO’s tress. The collar has bright red, wool collar tabs with four stamped, natural aluminum rank "gulls" to each. Gulls have been touched up at some point with what looks like silver paint, should clean off OK, but will leave that to the new owner. The collar cording is handstitched in place while the NCO’s tress and the collar tabs are machine stitched to the collar. The interior of the tunic is fully lined in ribbed, greyish/tan rayon with pale grey, black and white striped, brushed cotton/rayon sleeves. The lining has a horizontal slash pocket to the left breast panel and a small horizontal slash to the reverse of the exterior left hip pocket intended for the sword/dagger hangers. The lining has no visible size or manufacturer’s markings. The tunic is in overall very good condition with minimal nap wear and minor age and usage toning. The buttons are a combination of the bright, silver washed, pebbled alloy and sheet metal types and most appear to have their original stitching. The tunic is quite small and is roughly a size 36" chest. Superb condition, extra high quality tunic!

GRADE ****1/4                             PRICE $1,755.00