Germany, SS. A Rare 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian) Sturmmann’s Service Tunic, by Gebrüder Pluskiewitz

(Waffen-SS Dienstrock für estnische Freiwilligen). A rare and well-preserved service tunic to a Sturmmann of the 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian), constructed of field-grey wool. The tunic features a turned-down collar which transitions into double breast lapels, and which is flanked on each side by tabs. The latter are constructed of black wool with buckram cores, each measuring 50 mm (w) x 45 mm (h). The shoulders are topped by straps constructed of black wool with field-grey wool bases, trimmed with white piping. Each measuring 45 mm (w) x 110 mm (l), the straps are secured in place with machine stitching at the outer edge and with a pebbled zink alloy button on the inner edge. The right side insignia tab bears a machine-embroidered silver-grey mailed arm clutching a sword, surrounding a stylized letter “E”. The left side rank tab is overlaid by a single silver aluminum wire tresse. Stitched onto the upper left arm is a divisional emblem consisting of an embroidered shield executed in a blue, black, and white Estonian tri-colour motif, measuring 40 mm (w) x 50 mm (h). The cuff of each sleeve has a hidden vertical slit closing with two bakelite buttons for an adjustable fit. Four pleated pockets are set into the breasts, all closing with scalloped flaps perforated with reinforced buttonholes meeting pebbled zink alloy buttons. The interior features a partial grey cotton twill liner encompassing the breasts and shoulders. Stamped onto the right breast is a maker’s mark of “GEBR. PLUSKIEWITZ, BERLIN”, situated above size dimensions and a partially-legible manufacture date for the year 1941. Additional stamps of limited legibility are visible on the shoulders, with one clearly bearing a date of “1944”, likely indicating that the tunic was originally issued to a Heer service and later re-purposed for distribution to an Estonian Waffen-SS volunteer. The tunic measures approximately 45 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 60 cm, and an overall body length of 68 cm. The base material demonstrates moderate material fatigue throughout, including small stitch repairs, with additional minor soiling. A superb converted tunic to a serviceman in a desirable unit in near extremely fine condition.