Germany, Kriegsmarine. An Oberfähnrich White Service Uniform, Old Style, Owner-Attributed Example

(Kriegsmarine Sommer Uniform). A Kriegsmarine old style (1929) pattern white service uniform, consisting of:

1. A tunic constructed of white cotton, and featuring a stand-up collar with multiple rows of machine stitching. The shoulders are flanked by narrow boards constructed of a dark navy blue wool base, topped by multiple rows of silver aluminum wire piping and pinned with two silvered pips. Each measuring 20 mm (w) x 110 mm (l), the boards are secured in place with integral prongs which fit through a channel set into the seam of the sleeve, and with gilded bronze buttons on the inner edge. The cuff of each sleeve is hemmed on the interior. Four pleated pockets are set into the breasts, all closing with scalloped flaps perforated with reinforced buttonholes, in turn meeting gilded bronze buttons. Two threaded loops are set into the tunic just above the top right pocket for the accommodation of an eagle insignia. The former is constructed of gilded brass, features a reverse barrel hinge and horizontal pinback meeting a round wire catch, and measures 95 mm (w) x 35 mm (h). It closes with six gilded bronze buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. The interior is plain with the exception of a name tag emanating from the collar bearing a red owner’s name of “RETZMANN”. Otherwise unmarked, the tunic measures approximately 41 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 58 cm, and an overall body length of 64 cm when folded on a flat surface. Issues consistent with age and field use are evident, and include sporadic soiling throughout the base material and some oxidation to the eagle insignia. The tunic remains in an overall better than very fine condition.

2. A pair of trousers, constructed of an identical white cotton cloth. Six belt loops are distributed around the waistband, while additional integral straps set into the sides fasten through functional magnetic metal buckles. The trousers close with a French fly consisting of six hidden bakelite buttons fitting through an equal number of reinforced buttonholes. The interior is plain with the exception of a similar name tag bearing an owner’s name of “RETZMANN”. Measuring approximately 36 cm across the waist, with an inseam of 32 cm, and an overall length of 109 cm when folded on a flat surface, the trousers demonstrate consistent soiling and evidence of cleaning, but remain in a better than very fine condition.