Germany, Heer. A Rare Black Wrap for a Major of Panzer Troops

(Wehrmacht schwarze Panzerjacke eines Major der Panzertruppe). A rare and extremely well-preserved black Panzer wrap for a Major of Panzer Troops, constructed of black wool cloth. It features a turned-down collar which transitions into double breast lapels, and which is reinforced on the reverse with machine-stitched darts. The collar is flanked on each side by tabs which are constructed of black wool with buckram cores, trimmed with rose-pink piping, pinned with aluminum Danziger-style Totenkopf devices, and which measure 35 mm (w) x 70 mm (l). The shoulders are topped by boards which are constructed of rose-pink wool with rigid card stock cores and which bear four bands of interwoven silver aluminum wire piping. Each measuring 40 mm (w) x 100 mm (l), the boards are attached to the wrap with an integral reverse strap which fits through an integral cloth ring at the outer edge of the shoulder, fastening with a pebbled metal button on the inner edge. The cuff of each sleeve has a hidden vertical slash which fastens closed with a single bakelite button. Stitched onto the upper right breast is an insignia consisting of a black rayon backer bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 110 mm (w) x 45 mm (h) and demonstrating the characteristics of a 1939 pattern. Three sets of threaded loops are distributed around the upper left breast for the accommodation of badges with vertical pinbacks. The breasts close with eight black bakelite buttons on the right meeting an equal number of hidden and reinforced buttonholes on the left. A 1939 Iron Cross II Class ribbon is stitched through the top buttonhole. Multi-piece beige rayon liners are stitched in place at the breasts, with integral pockets at the lower right and upper left. Size dimensions are stamped onto the upper left of the respective liner, below a depot mark and date of “K 43”. The wrap measures approximately 43 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 58 cm, and an overall length of 62 cm. Minor, age-appropriate material fatigue is visible to the base material, but the wrap demonstrates no notable damage or wear. This scarce, mid-war example, issued to a high-ranking Officer, remains in an extremely fine condition.