Germany, Heer. A Service Tunic for a Decorated Hauptmann of Gebirgs-Artillerie-Regiment 112

(Heer Feldbluse für einen Hauptmann der Gebirgs-Artillerie-Regiment 112). An extremely well-preserved service tunic to a Hauptmann of Artillery, constructed of a field-grey blended wool cloth base with a subtle whipcord weave. It features a turned-down collar which is fully lined with smooth dark green wool, folding up to reveal a grey rayon underlay reinforced with machine-stitched darts. The collar is flanked on each side by tabs which are constructed of dark green wool with buckram cores, and which bear dual silver aluminum wire insignia bisected by red threaded tresses, each measuring 40 mm (w) x 60 mm (l). The shoulders are topped by boards which are constructed of red wool with rigid card stock cores, and which bear four bands of silver aluminum wire piping, in turn pinned with dual gilded pips flanked gilded numerals “112” (Gebirgs-Artillerie-Regiment 112, attached to 3. Gebirgs-Division/3rd Mountain Division), each measuring 32 mm (w) x 110 mm (l). The cuff of each sleeve is rolled up to a depth of 12 cm, and fixed in place with two pieces of stitching. The upper right arm bears an Officer-grade Gebirgsjäger insignia in the form of a dark green wool backer bearing a striking silver aluminum wire edelweiss with a gold bullion wire stamen, measuring 50 mm (w) x 70 mm (h). Four pleated pockets are set into the breasts, all closing with scalloped flaps perforated with reinforced buttonholes, in turn meeting pebbled magnetic metal buttons. Stitched onto the upper right breast just above the corresponding pocket is an insignia consisting of a dark green wool backer bearing a hand-embroidered silver aluminum wire Wehrmacht eagle, measuring 90 mm (w) x 40 mm (h). Pinned onto the upper left breast is a ribbon bar measuring 14 cm in length and featuring nine decorations, including Austro-Hungarian Bravery and Merit Medals, an Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Combatants, NSDAP 10-Year Long Service Award, Anschluss Medal, and Hungarian and Bulgarian War Commemorative Medals. Additionally, threaded loops set into the upper left pocket retain a War Merit Cross I Class with Swords, constructed of silvered zink, with a barrel hinge and wide vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch on the reverse. Unmarked, the decoration measures 48.07 mm (w) x 48.12 mm (h), weighs 20.9 grams, and demonstrates the characteristics of manufacture by Rudolf Souval, Vienna (Viennese manufacture being highly appropriate for an Austrian recipient). The tunic closes with five pebbled magnetic metal buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left. Stitch through the second buttonhole are ribbons for the War Merit Cross II Class and the Eastern Front Medal. The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece slate-grey rayon liner which transitions into a pinstripe design through the arms. A single interior pocket is set into the upper left breast. Unmarked, the tunic measures approximately 44 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 54 cm, and an overall torso length of 70 cm. Some issues consistent with age and field wear are evident, and include soiling to the base material, sporadic patches of fatigue (possibly consistent with mothing, particularly to the cuffs), minor fatigue to the insignia, and some soiling of the interior liner. This completely untouched and original tunic to an Officer who was both a decorated combatant of two World Wars, as well as an NSDAP member, remains in a near extremely fine condition.