German, Imperial. A Württemberg Jasta 10 Pilot Tunic, To Lieutenant Oskar Barth

(Waffenrock). A double-breasted tunic constructed of field-grey wool, with a two rows of six silvered zink, pebbled buttons running down the centre, each bearing an embossed crown on the obverse, each maker marked on reverse with FWB, meeting an equal number of reinforced button holes, with two front hip pockets, each with rectangular flaps, each with a button, maker marked on reverse with FWB, each sleeve features a 7 cm-deep turnback cuff, each shoulder bears shoulder boards constructed of silver aluminum Russian braid with red and black interwoven chevrons representing Württenberg state colours, each on a red wool base, and bearing a metal winged propeller insignia, measuring 45 mm (w) x 93 mm (l), the collar presents a stand-up collar constructed of field-grey wool, with two hooks meeting two clasp, allowing the collar to lay flat against the neck, the exterior of the tunic presents a 1914 Iron Cross, I Class, sewn to the uniform, measuring 42.10 mm (w) x 42.79 mm (h), a Imperial Pilot Badge, sewn to the uniform through the pin assembly, measuring 45.39 mm (w) x 71.48 mm (h), a ribbon bar presenting four ribbons including a 1914 Iron Cross ribbon, a Württemberg Military Merit Medal ribbon, a Württemberg Friedrich Order with Swords ribbon, and a Württemberg Long and Devoted Service Medal ribbon, measuring 59 mm (w) x 16 mm (h), the interior of the tunic is lined with a khaki-coloured cotton-blended lining, the owner’s name OSKAR BARTH is stamped in blue ink, with the family crest, above his unit stamped in red ink JASTA No.10, the tunic presents many period repairs and reinforcements all throughout the exterior and interior, the interior also displays several illegible markings in ink, the tunic measures a total of 37 cm across the shoulders, 62 cm in the arms, and 70 cm in total length, displays moderate soiling and wear, and in otherwise near very fine condition.

Footnote: Oskar Barth was born on 20 August 1892 in Stuttgart to parents August Barth and Frieda Ernstine Aigeltinger (b. 29 October 1860). He started the First World War with a field artillery regiment and, around 1916, joined the Air Force. Barth trained in Böblingen at Fliegerersatz-Abteilung 10, joining the Fliegerabteuilung 213 (Artillery) at the Front in April 1917. Between July and September, he served with Jagdstaffel (Jasta) 10 in Jagdgeschwader Nr. 1 under the leadership of Manfred von Richthofen (1892-1918). The Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 10, also known as Jasta 10, was a fighter squadron of the Luftstreitkräfte (the air arm of the Imperial German Army). It is credited with destroying 118 enemy planes and 33 enemy observation balloons.

After the war, Barth worked as an engineer, employed by German Aero Lloyd AG in Berlin, and, later for Lufthansa under Carl August von Gablenz (1893-1942). He also worked for Aksania and Dornier.