Germany, Heer. A Rare Großdeutschland Division Service Tunic for a Leutnant of Engineers, Late-War Example

(Heer Dienstrock für einen Hauptmann der “Großdeutschland”). A rare and well-preserved service tunic for a Leutnant of Engineers, constructed of field-grey wool. It features a turned-down collar which is topped by a layer of smooth dark green wool, with black rayon and alternate field-grey wool underlays, reinforced with machine-stitched darts. The collar is flanked on each side by tabs which are constructed of dark green wool with buckram cores, topped by dual silver aluminum wire insignia bisected by black threaded tresses, and which measure 40 mm (w) x 60 mm (l). The shoulders are topped by boards which are constructed of black wool with rigid card stock cores, topped by four bands of silver aluminum wire piping, and which are pinned with gilded metal Großdeutschland devices. Each measuring 35 mm (w) x 105 mm (l), the boards are secured to the tunic with integral loops at the outer edge and with pebbled metal buttons on the inner edge. Stitched onto the right cuff is a title constructed of a black doeskin (crushed wool) base, trimmed along both edges with silver aluminum wire tresses, and bearing a silver aluminum wire inscription of “GROßDEUTSCHLAND” in Sütterlin script. Measuring 38 mm in width, this third pattern title demonstrates the characteristics of a superior-quality theatre-made example. Four pleated pockets are set into the breasts, all closing with scalloped horizontal flaps perforated with reinforced buttonholes, in turn meeting pebbled metal buttons. Stitched onto the upper right breast just above the corresponding pocket is an insignia in the form of a dark green wool base bearing a hand-embroidered silver aluminum wire Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 110 mm (w) x 40 mm (h). Three sets of vertically-arranged threaded loops are set in place over the upper left pocket for the accommodation of badges with vertical pinbacks. One is included, and consists of a Black Grade Wound Badge, constructed of magnetic steel, and measuring 36.75 mm (w) x 44.21 mm (h). Notably, the black finish has been deliberately removed from the base metal, possibly indicating a field conversion to a Silver Grade decoration. The tunic closes with six pebbled metal buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left. Stitched through the second buttonhole are ribbons for the 1939 Iron Cross II Class and Eastern Front Medal. The interior is encompassed by a multi-piece dark grey rayon liner, forming a bandage pocket at the lower right flap. Four cotton straps perforated with reinforced eyelets for the inclusion of a belt hanger descend from the waist. Stamped onto the right side of the liner are size dimensions and a code of “B44”, indicating issue by the Berlin clothing depot in 1944. The tunic measures approximately 42 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 56 cm, and an overall length of 68 cm (when folded on a flat surface). Minor material fatigue consistent with age and wear is evident, but this late-war example demonstrating construction consistent with material scarcity, remains in a near extremely fine condition.