Germany, RBD. A Reichsbahndirektion (Railway Directorate) Stuttgart Pay Official’s Tunic

(Reichsbahndirektion Waffenrock). This is an extremely well-preserved Reichsbahndirektion (Railway Directorate) pay official’s tunic, constructed of smooth dark blue wool. The collar is flanked on each side by tabs, both constructed of black wool with interwoven gold and dark blue braided thread trimming. The right tab is pinned with a pair of gilded zink oak leaves with a pebbled mobile swastika, while the left tab bears a single swastika of identical construction and presentation. Each tab measures 40 mm (w) x 75 mm (l). Stitched into the upper left arm is a sleeve insignia composed of a black rayon patch with a machine-embroidered gold thread German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, on top of an inscription of “RBD Stuttgart”. The insignia measures 80 mm (w) x 60 mm (h). Underneath the insignia is an armband, securely held in place by dual rows of machine stitching, bearing a white disk, 90 mm in diameter, with a multi-piece black rayon mobile swastika. The breasts of the tunic have four pockets, with two on each side, opening with horizontal flaps with reinforced buttonholes meeting a pebbled, gilded magnetic metal button. The right breast flap has six pebbled, gilded magnetic metal buttons which meet an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left. All buttons on the tunic are stamped on the reverse with a maker’s mark of “Assmann & Söhne, Lüdenscheid”. Pinned above the top left pocket is NSDAP 4-Year Long Service Medal ribbon on a magnetic metal bar, measuring 25 mm (w) x 16 mm (h). The interior of the tunic has a single breast pocket opening with a reinforced horizontal slit. The tunic features a complete black rayon liner that transitions to a pinstripe design through the arms. The right interior of the collar features two magnetic metal hooks set into the liner meeting an equal number of eyelets on the right, facilitating a flush fit with the wearer’s neck. The tunic is unmarked and measures approximately 490 mm across the shoulders, with a body length of 762 mm and an arm length of 611 mm. Inside the lower right pocket, a zink oak leaf pin, which appears to have have been removed from the left collar tab, is stored, with all four rear clips intact for easy reattachment to the tab. In the same pocket there is also a RBD collar tab of identical construction and presentation, measuring 40 mm (w) x 60 mm. There are slight patches of mothing on the armband, but the tunic is in an otherwise extremely fine condition.