Germany, Luftwaffe. A Flak/Artillery Hauptmann Service Tunic

(Luftwaffe Dienstrock für einen Hauptmann der Flak/Artillerie). A well-preserved Luftwaffe Flak/Artillery Hauptmann service tunic, constructed of slate-grey wool with a gentle whipcord weave. It features a turned down collar which is fully trimmed along the outer edge with twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire piping. The collar is flanked by tabs constructed of red wool with buckram cores, trimmed with twisted and roller silver aluminum wire piping, bearing three gulls above clusters of oak leaves, and measuring 45 mm (w) x 60 mm (l). The shoulders are topped by boards constructed of red wool with card stock cores, overlaid by four bands of silver aluminum wire piping, and pinned with dual gilded pips. Each measuring 38 mm (w) x 95 mm (l), the boards are fixed in place with stitching at the outer edge, and with pebbled buttons on the inner edge. The cuff of each sleeve is rolled up to a depth of 14 cm and held in place with two pieces of heavy stitching. Four pleated pockets are set into the breasts, each closing with a horizontal flap perforated with a reinforced buttonhole, in turn meeting a pebbled magnetic metal button. Stitched onto the tunic just above the upper right pocket is an insignia consisting of a dark grey wool baker bearing a hand-embroidered silver aluminum wire Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, measuring 85 mm (w) x 50 mm (h). Three sets of vertically-arranged threaded loops are stitched in place over the upper left pocket for the accommodation of awards with vertical pinbacks, while an additional array of threaded loops above the same pocket accommodates a ribbon bar. The tunic closes with two pebbled magnetic metal buttons on the right flap meeting four reinforced buttonholes on the left. The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece black rayon liner which transitions to a pinstripe pattern through the arms. A single pocket is set into the upper left breast, while a strap descends from the left armpit and is fixed to the liner just above a narrow slit opening into the corresponding breast pocket, retaining a magnetic metal D-ring for the inclusion of a dagger hanger. Secreted within the upper left pocket is a Wehrmacht-issue packet retaining two prophylactic wrappers Unmarked, the tunic measures approximately 41 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 58 cm, and an overall body length of 69 cm when folded on a flat surface. Issues consistent with age and field wear are evident, and include minor soiling and material fatigue throughout the base material, the loss of two breast buttons, and a small stitched repair to the interior of the right breast lapel. This well-worn tunic remains in an overall better than very fine condition.