Germany, Luftwaffe. A Flight Personnel/Fallschirmjäger NCO’s Service Tunic

(Luftwaffe Dienstrock für einen Unteroffizier der Fliegertruppe/Fallschirmjäger). A very well-preserved Luftwaffe service tunic for a Flight Personnel/Fallschirmjäger Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO). It is constructed of a dark grey wool cloth base which demonstrates a pronounced whipcord weave. A turned-down collar is trimmed with a rolled golden-yellow threaded border, bordered by a silver aluminum wire tresse, and flanked by tabs constructed of golden-yellow wool with buckram cores, each pinned with three aluminum gulls and measuring 40 mm (w) x 55 mm (l). The shoulders are flanked by straps constructed of dark grey wool, trimmed with golden-yellow piping, bordered by silver aluminum wire tresses, and pinned with a single silvered pip. Each measuring 45 mm (w) x 95 mm (l), the straps are secured in place with machine stitching at the outer edge and with pebbled magnetic metal buttons on the inner edge. The cuff of each sleeve is rolled up to a depth of 14 cm, and fixed in position with two pieces of heavy stitching. Four pleated pockets are set into the breasts, all closing with horizontal flaps perforated with reinforced buttonholes meeting reinforced buttonholes. Stitched onto the breast just above the top right pocket is a superb insignia consisting of a dark grey wool backer overlaid by a layer of slate-grey rayon threading, in turn bearing a pre-war, first-pattern, droptail-style Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika. The eagle insignia measures 105 mm (w) x 65 mm (h). Two sets of threaded loops are set over the top left pocket for the accommodation of a badge with a vertical pinback, while an Eastern Front Medal ribbon bar is pinned above the same pocket. A multi-piece slate-grey rayon liner fully encompasses the interior, and transitions into a pinstripe design through the arms. Two integral rayon straps emanate from the waistband and culminate in plated magnetic steel buckles to provide an internal belt. A single pocket is located at the upper left breast, opening with a reinforced horizontal flap. Demonstrating only minor signs of fatigue consistent with wartime wear, this high-quality service tunic remains in an extremely fine condition.