Germany, Luftwaffe. A Medical Personnel Hauptgefreiter Tunic

(Luftwaffe Waffenrock für Hauptgefreiter der Sanitätstruppe). A very well-preserved Luftwaffe Medical Personnel Hauptgefreiter tunic, constructed of dark grey whipcord wool. It features a collar fully trimmed along the outer edge with twisted and rolled dark blue threaded piping, and bordered by a machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire tresse. The collar is flanked on each side by tabs constructed of dark blue wool with buckram cores, both pinned with four aluminum gulls and measuring 40 mm (w) x 55 mm (l). Affixed to the shoulders are straps, each consisting of a dark grey wool base, trimmed with dark blue piping, bordered by silver aluminum wire tresses, and pinned with two aluminum rank pips. The boards are secured in place with machine stitching at the outer edge and with pebbled and silvered non-ferrous metal buttons on the inner edge. Embroidered onto the left sleeve is an insignia consisting of a dark grey wool disc, bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Rod of Asclepius. It measures 55 mm in total diameter. The cuff of each sleeve is rolled up to a depth of 125 mm and secured in place with two pieces of machine stitching. Each breast flap features two pockets, all opening with stylized horizontal flaps bearing reinforced buttonholes, in turn meeting pebbled magnetic metal buttons. Stitched onto the tunic just above the upper right pocket is an insignia consisting of a dark grey wool base bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika. The eagle insignia measures 90 mm (w) x 45 mm (h). The upper left pocket features two sets of vertically-arranged threaded loops for the accommodation of decorations with horizontal pinbacks, with a single set of horizontally-arranged loops just above the pocket for the attachment of a ribbon bar or decoration with a horizontal pinback. The tunic closes with four pebbled magnetic metal buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. Affixed to the tunic through the uppermost buttonhole is a War Merit Cross II Class ribbon. On the interior, a rayon-blended black liner fully encompasses the body, and transitions into a white pinstripe design through each arm. The liner features an integral belt, consisting of a strap emanating from each flap and completing in magnetic metal buckles. Underneath the left flap is a reinforced slit for the addition of a dagger hanger. Completing the interior features is a cotton suspension loop, securely embroidered to the back of the collar. It is fully unmarked and measures approximately 420 mm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 560 mm, and an overall body length of 695 mm. Issues consistent with age and field use are evident, and include sporadic patches of mothing and material fatigue to the exterior wool, with minor fatigue to the liner and evidence of possible repair. The tunic is in an overall better than very fine condition.