Germany, Luftwaffe. A Flight Personnel Non-Commissioned Officer’s Service Tunic

(Luftwaffe Waffenrock für einen Unteroffizier). A well-preserved Luftwaffe Non-Commissioned Officer’s (NCO) service tunic, constructed of dark grey wool. It features a turned-down collar trimmed along the outer edge with silver aluminum wire tresses, and flanked by tabs. The latter are constructed of golden-yellow wool with buckram cores, pinned with a single aluminum gull, and measure 35 mm (w) x 50 mm (l). The shoulders are topped by straps which are constructed of dark grey wool, trimmed with golden-yellow piping, bordered by silver aluminum wire tresses, and which are pinned with a single pip. Measuring 48 mm (w) x 100 mm (l), the straps are fixed in place at the outer edge with integral loops set into the tunic, and on the inner edge with pebbled metal buttons. Each cuff has an integral strap perforated with a reinforced buttonhole, in turn meeting a single bakelite button. Pockets are set into the lower half of each breast, and close with flaps perforated within reinforced buttonholes, in turn meeting pebbled metal buttons. Stitched onto the upper left breast with original zig-zag threading is an insignia consisting of a dark grey wool base bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, measuring 90 mm (w) x 50 mm (h). Dual sets of three reinforced eyelets set into the waistband retain aluminum hooks for the accommodation of a belt. The tunic closes with five black bakelite buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left. A slate-grey rayon liner partially encompasses the interior, and includes a small bandage pocket set into the lower right flap, as well as two additional pockets set into the upper breasts. Stamped over the left pocket is a partially-legible Reichsbetriebsnummer beginning with “0/0541”, size dimensions, and a Luftwaffenbekleidungsamt Bielefeld mark. The tunic measures approximately 41 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 62 cm, and an overall body length of 66 cm when folded on a flat surface. Demonstrating only minor signs of wear and soiling, this NCO’s tunic remains in a near extremely fine condition.