Germany, Bundeswehr. A Hauptfeldwebel’s Service Tunic And Visor Cap To A Knight's Cross Recipient

(Bundeswehr Dienstrock und Schirmmütze). An extremely well-preserved Bundeswehr Hauptfeldwebel’s service tunic, attributed to a highly decorated Wehrmacht veteran. It is constructed of grey whipcord wool, and features an integrated collar transition into double breast flaps. Bands of twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire piping fully trims the collar, which is also flanked by tabs. Each tab is constructed of grey wool with a buckram core and bears dual machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire insignia, measuring 30 mm (w) x 60 mm (l). Each shoulder bears a strap constructed of grey wool, trimmed with machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire tresses, and pinned with silvered bronze Odal runes. The straps are secured in place with machine stitching at the outer edge and by pebbled magnetic metal buttons on the inner edge, and measure 45 mm (w) x 110 mm (l). Stitched onto the upper left shoulder is a Bundeswehr I Corps sleeve insignia, constructed of a grey wool base overlaid by a golden-yellow wool shield. The latter bearing a raised machine-embroidered black Bundeswehr-style German national eagle above a number “1” in Roman numerals, with the shield trimmed by a gold bullion wire border. It measures 64 mm (w) x 80 mm (h). The cuff of each sleeve is rolled up to a depth of 155 mm (h) and secured in place with machine stitching at both the front and back. Stitched onto both cuffs are early Bundeswehr Luftwaffe cuff titles, each constructed of a woven black rayon base, trimmed with silver aluminum wire piping, and bearing machine-embroidered winged insignia of identical construction. Both cuff titles measure 30 mm in width and are secured in place with machine-stitching along the top and bottom edges. The breast flaps each feature two pockets, all opening with horizontal flaps and reinforced buttonholes meeting pebbled magnetic metal buttons. Stitched onto the upper right breast flap is an insignia consisting of a grey wool base, bearing a central hand-embroidered silver aluminum Bundeswehr-style German national eagle, flanked by stylized wings of identical construction.

The eagle insignia measures 110 mm (w) x 35 mm (h). Notably, pinned onto the upper left breast flap are four medal ribbon bars, indicating that the owner was a highly-decorated Luftwaffe veteran. The awards include the Knight’s Cross, a Luftwaffe Honour Roll Clasp, a German Cross in Gold, an Iron Cross I Class, a Federal Republic Order of Merit, an Iron Cross II Class, a Hanseatic Cross, a Reconnaissance Front Flying Clasp with “300” Hanger, a Gold Grade Wound Badge, and a Pilot’s badge. An additional Marksmanship Lanyard is affixed to the right shoulder strap and upper breast button, constructed of multiple rows of twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire piping and pinned with a silvered bronze insignia, measuring 44 mm (w) x 55 mm (h). The interior features a complete grey rayon liner, with pockets located at each of the upper breast flaps. The tunic is fully unmarked and measures approximately 460 mm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 620 mm and an overall body length of 780 mm. It is accompanied by two additional awards, including an Iron Cross I Class, 1957 version. Constructed of iron and a silvered bronze alloy, it consists of a Cross Pattée with a blackened iron core within a ribbed silvered frame. The obverse with three central oak leaves, the six o’clock arm also bears a reinstitution date of “1939”. The reverse has a raised barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a flat wire catch. Unmarked, it is in an extremely fine condition and measures 44.10 mm (w) x 44.25 mm (h) and weighs 15.7 grams. The tunic is also accompanied by a Pilot’s Badge, 1957 version, constructed of a silvered bronze alloy. The obverse consists of an oval laurel and oak leaf wreath, overlaid by a swooping Luftwaffe eagle. The reverse features dual rivets securing the obverse eagle in place, and has a barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a flat wire catch. Unmarked, it measures 65.09 mm (w) x 53.13 mm (h) and weighs 42.8 grams.

It is accompanied by a visor cap, constructed of grey whipcord wool. The cap features reinforced side walls, fully lined on the exterior with a woven black cap band. Silver aluminum wire piping fully trims both the top and bottom of the cap band, with an additional band of identical piping surrounding the crown. Stitched onto the peak of the cap is a wire Bundeswehr-style tricolour cockade measuring 20 mm in diameter. The cap band is also flanked on each side by pebbled magnetic metal buttons securing in place a black plastic chinstrap, adjusted with dual functional buckles of identical construction. When not in use, the chinstrap rests upon a protruding vulcanfibre visor, lined on the obverse with grey wool and trimmed with a silver aluminum wire fringe. The reverse of the visor reveals a faux leather texture. A dark grey leather sweatband fully surrounds the interior, bisected by a silver aluminum wire band. The interior also features a complete grey rayon liner, with an intact transparent plastic moisture guard stitched onto the crown. A green-gilt maker’s mark of “KKBW, KOBLENZ” is visible on the guard, along with an inscription indicating that it is an officially approved manufacturer of Bundeswehr uniforms. The cap measures approximately 240 mm (w) x 260 mm (l) x 150 mm (h). Minor, age-appropriate material fatigue is evident, but the cap is in an overall near extremely fine condition.

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