Germany, Heer. A Pair of Tropical Breeches

 (Heer Tropen Stiefelhose). A pair of Heer tropical breeches, constructed of an olive-drab cotton/wool blended cloth with a gentle whipcord weave. Six belt loops are distributed around the waistband for the accommodation of a separate belt. Two front pockets are set into the upper thighs (with the left pocket notably retaining the wearer’s wartime period handkerchief), opening with buttonless diagonal slashes, while two back pockets similarly open with buttonholes horizontal slashes. A French fly closes with five bakelite buttons meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes. An additional layer of identical material is stitched in place across the calves to mitigate friction, while vertical slashes set into the ankles are flanked on each side by ten eyelets, reinforced with olive-drab painted grommets, through which are looped original drawstrings for flush closure. A partial white cotton interior liner is stitched in place through the waistband, and demonstrates the remnants of an illegible black ink maker’s mark and size dimensions adjacent to the fly. Otherwise unmarked, the breeches measure approximately 38 cm across the waistband, with an inseam of 30 cm, and an overall length of 78 cm when folded on a flat surface. Minor and sporadic mothing and material fatigue is visible throughout the base material, and these Officer’s breeches remain in an overall very fine condition.