L009195 FLAK ARTILLERY OBERGEFREITER'S SERVICE TUNIC. (Dienstbluse)
BACKGROUND: The Reichsluftwaffe was official established on February 26TH 1935 as the third branch of service of the Armed Forces. On March 9TH 1935 the formation of the new Reichsluftwaffe was announced to the foreign press and on March 16TH conscription was reintroduced for all three branches of service. On May 21ST 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 11TH 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. Officers 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 a specific, identifying, waffenfarbe, (Branch of Service Colors), with bright red being chosen for personnel serving with, 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. Originally NCO’s with the ranks of Unteroffizier to Stabsfeldwebel inclusively, were distinguished by the addition of bright silver/aluminum tress on the forward collar edge of the dress and service tunics, on the tropical and continental field blouses, as adornment on the shoulder straps and dress tunic cuffs and also as sleeve rank chevrons. On September 1ST 1942, the Luftwaffe following the army’s lead, introduced a new subdued matte blue/grey rayon tress for wear on the field uniform. Although the new subdued tress was intended to replace the highly visible bright silver/aluminum tress it continued in usage until the end of the war.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nice quality, 1935 pattern, Luftwaffe blue/grey, wool/rayon, blend construction tunic features a vertical, four button, front closure with small, fold back, lapels and a lay down collar. The tunic has four, pleated, front pockets with straight edged button down flaps. The right breast has a machine embroidered, second pattern, (Circa 1936/37 1945), Luftwaffe eagle clutching a canted swastika in it’s talons, in silvery/grey cotton threads on a cut out, Luftwaffe, blue/grey wool base. The eagle is neatly handstitched to the tunic. 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. The side panels at the waistline each have four, vertically aligned, horizontal, thread loops and a central, vertical, slash for the belt support hooks. The reverse of the tunic has a short, central, vertical, tail skirt vent. Nice pair of slip-on shoulder straps with red rayon piping. The forward edge of the lay down collar is piped in red cording. The collar has bright red, wool collar tabs with three, rank "gulls" to each. The interior of the tunic is fully lined in ribbed, grey, cotton twill and the lining has a horizontal slash pocket to the left breast panel. The interior side panels at the waistline each have a vertical, grey cotton twill strap with six stitched eyelets to each to secure the belt support hooks. The left breast lining is well marked with black size inkstamps, the manufacturer’s name and "L.B.A. 39", indicating, Luftwaffenbekleidungsamt 1939 (Air Force Clothing Depot 1938). The buttons are all the bright, silver washed, pebbled alloy type and most appear to have their original stitching. The tunic is roughly a size 36" chest. Super nice!
GRADE ****1/2
PRICE $1,295.00
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