Germany, Heer. A Field Tunic for a Generalleutnant

(Heer Feldbluse für einen Generalleutnant). A well-preserved field tunic for a Generalleutnant, constructed of field-grey wool/rayon blended cloth with a gentle whipcord weave. It features a turned-down collar which is topped by a layer of smooth green wool, and which is flanked on each side by tabs which are constructed of red wool with gold bullion wire Litzen, both measuring 45 mm (w) x 90 mm (l). The shoulders are topped by boards which are constructed of red wool with rigid card stock cores with magnetic metal wire internal reinforcements, topped by a length of silver aluminum wire piping interwoven with gold bullion wire piping, and pinned with a single gilded pip. Each measuring 40 mm (w) x 105 mm (l), the boards are fixed in place with stitching at the seam of the shoulder, and with pebbled and gilded metal buttons on the inner edge. The cuff of each sleeve is rolled up to a depth of 14 cm and held in position by a piece of stitching. Four pleated pockets are set into the breasts, all closing with scalloped flaps perforated with reinforced buttonholes, in turn meeting gilded and pebbled metal buttons. Stitched onto the tunic just above the upper right pocket is an insignia consisting of a dark green wool base bearing a hand-embroidered gold bullion wire Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 100 mm (w) x 40 mm (h). A pair of vertically-arranged threaded loops set into the upper left pocket accommodates a pinback award, while four horizontal loops set into the cloth just above the same pocket allow for the addition of a ribbon bar. The tunic closes with five gilded and pebbled buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left. Notably, all buttons on the tunic are maker marked on the reverse with the logo of Friedrich Linden, Lüdenscheid. 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 located at the upper left breast, while an integral rayon strap descending from the armpit culminates in a functional magnetic metal spring clip, itself fitting through a slash set below the pocket, for the addition of a dress dagger. Unmarked, the tunic measures approximately 48 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 62 cm, and an overall length of 68 cm (when folded on a flat surface). Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include minor material fatigue to the base cloth (including several spots of mothing to the collar liner), period replacement of the collar tabs (with some disruption to the base material showing evidence of previous application of General-rank tabs), period replacement of the shoulder boards, and minor soiling and fatigue to the interior liner. This Generalleutnant field tunic remains in an overall better than very fine condition.