Germany, Ordnungspolizei. A Gendarmerie Service Tunic for a Decorated Oberleutnant

(Polizei Dienstrock für einen Oberleutnant der Gendarmerie). An exceptionally well-preserved Gendarmerie (rural police) Oberleutnant service tunic, constructed of police-green wool. It features a turned-down collar which is topped by a layer of brown wool, and which is trimmed along the edge with orange piping which descends down through the breast flaps to terminate at the base of the tunic. The collar is flanked on each side by tabs which are constructed of orange wool with buckram cores and topped by dual silver aluminum wire insignia, each measuring 40 mm (w) x 70 mm (l). The shoulders are topped by boards constructed of orange wool with rigid card stock cores, trimmed with brown piping, topped by four bands of silver aluminum wire piping, and pinned with a gilded pip. Each measuring 35 mm (w) x 105 mm (l), the boards are secured in place with machine stitching at the seam of the shoulder, and with pebbled metal buttons on the inner edge. The cuff of each sleeve is topped by a layer of smooth brown wool, trimmed with orange piping, and stitched with two pebbled metal buttons over a decorative seam. The upper right shoulder bears an Honour Chevron for Old Fighters, constructed of a police-green wool base overlaid by a silver aluminum wire tresse, trimmed with black threaded borders, measuring 70 mm (w) x 70 mm (h). Stitched onto the upper left shoulder is an angina consisting of a police-green wool base bearing a silver aluminum wire Ordnungspolizei insignia in the form of an oval oak leaf wreath overlaid by a German national eagle clutching a wreathed black mobile swastika, measuring 80 mm (w) x 75 mm (h) overall. Four pockets are set into the breast flaps, with the upper pockets pleated, all closing with scalloped flaps perforated with reinforced buttonholes which meet pebbled metal buttons. Threaded loops set directly into the tunic above the upper left pocket retain a 120 mm-long ribbon bar featuring an extensive array of awards reflecting First World War Austro-Hungarian military service, including a Military Merit Cross, a Bravery Decoration, an Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Combatants, an Austrian War Commemorative Medal for Combatants, a Police 25-Year Long Service Award, a Long Service Decoration, an Anschluss Medal, and a Hungarian War Commemorative Medal. The tunic closes with eight pebbled metal buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap, with ribbons for the 1914 Iron Cross II Class and War Merit Cross II Class stitched through the second buttonhole. The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece slate-grey rayon liner which transitions into a pinstripe design through the arms. A single pocket is set into the upper left breast, while the collar is fastened with a rigid stay. Unmarked, the tunic measures approximately 45 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 60 cm, and an overall length of 72 cm when folded on a flat surface. Demonstrating no notable damage or wear, this high-quality tunic, issued to a decorated Gendarmerie Officer who rendered distinguished service during the First World War, remains in an extremely fine condition.