Germany, Feuerschutzpolizei. A Forbach Feuerschutzpolizei Wachtmeister Tunic And Matching Trousers, By Franz Fiedler

(Feuerschutzpolizei Waffenrock). This is an extremely well-preserved Feuerschutzpolizei Wachtmeister uniform. The tunic is constructed of a fine quality dark blue wool with a dark-grey rayon-blended interior lining. The breasts of the tunic are closed with eight reinforced buttonholes meeting an equal number of pebbled, silvered zink buttons, five of which are stamped with “RZM M5/314” indicating the maker Paul Brüder, Tyssa b. Bodenbach, and three of which are stamped with “Extra Fein”. The front exterior contains four pockets, all with reinforced button holes and equal number of pebbled buttons, all stamped on the reverse with “Brüder Paul”. The collar, constructed of dark-blue wool, is neatly lined with carmine-coloured piping that continues down the length of the breast flaps. The right interior collar has two magnetic metal hooks meeting an equal number of magnetic metal eyelets on the left allowing the collar to sit flush with the neck. The collar is flanked on each side by tabs composed of carmine-coloured wool base bearing machine-embroidered twisted silver aluminum bullion wire columns, measuring 30 mm (w) x 64 mm (h). Shoulder boards rest on each shoulder, constructed of two rows of brown braided cord flanked by two rows of fine aluminum wire interlaced with black threading, all wrapped in a U-shape chevron formation, finished with reinforced button holes over pebbled zink buttons on a carmine-coloured wool backer indicating a Wachtmeister of the Feuerschutzpolizei, measuring 35 mm (w) x 100 mm (h). The left upper arm bears a sleeve insignia in the form of a police-style German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika in machine-embroidered, carmine-coloured thread, within a larger oval wreath, all sewn onto a dark blue backing, measuring 85 mm (w) x 100 mm (h). Both cuffs are turned up approximately 135 mm, held up by two pieces of stitching and outlined in carmine-coloured piping. Striped off-white rayon-blended material lines the interior of the sleeves. The interior of the tunic contains a pocket on the upper left breast and a manufacturer's label on the right clearly reading “Uniformfabrik Franz Fiedler” with tailor’s measurements. The collar measures approximately 490 mm at the shoulders, 610 mm in the arms, with an overall length of 780 mm.

Accompanied by its original matching trousers, constructed of dark-blue wool, a button-up fly with three bakelite buttons meeting an equal number of reinforced button holes, and metal loops around the waistline for suspenders. Black elastic stirrups attach to the bottom hem of each leg by two bakelite buttons. Two additional buttons line each ankle area, meeting an equal number of reinforced button holes. There are diagonal-slit pockets on each side of the front of the trousers. A single horizontal-slit pocket on the right rear side of the pants, secured with a bakelite button. Stitched inside the waistband is a white size tag reading “m 48” and stamped inside “Mdl 1850E/2.” The pants measure approximately 400 mm at the waist x 900 mm in length. The uniform shows a few signs of material fatigue from wear, but is in an overall extremely fine condition.