Germany, Heer. A Recruiting and Replacement Obergefreiter’s Parade Tunic, by LIGO Hannover

(Wehrmacht Heer Parade-Waffenrock für Obergefreiter im Wehrersatzwesen). An extremely well-preserved Heer Recruiting and Replacement Obergefreiter’s parade tunic, constructed of a field-grey wool blended cloth. It features a turned-down collar which is fully lined on the obverse with a layer of smooth dark green wool, trimmed along the outer edge with orange piping, and flanked by tabs constructed of orange wool bases with buckram cores, in turn topped by silver aluminum wire insignia. Each tab measures 35 mm (w) x 75 mm (l). The shoulders bear straps constructed of dark green wool with field-grey underlays, trimmed with orange piping, and bearing a machine-embroidered orange Roman numeral “X” (10). Each measuring 45 mm (w) x 120 mm (l), the straps are secured in position with machine stitching at the outer edge and with a pebbled aluminum button on the inner edge. Notably, the straps demonstrate the expert removal of a Roman numeral “I”, indicating reassignment from Company 9, and resulting in only minimal disruption to the base material. Stitched onto the upper left arm is an insignia consisting of a dark green wool base bearing two silver aluminum wire chevrons, measuring 90 mm (w) x 80 mm (h), indicating a rank of Obergefreiter. Stitched onto the lower right sleeve is a badge consisting of a dark green wool disc bearing a farrier trade insignia, measuring 55 mm in diameter and applied upside-down. The cuff of each sleeve is topped by a layer of dark green wool measuring 70 cm in width, both of which are overlaid by two rectangular orange wool patches bearing pebbled aluminum buttons over a silver aluminum wire tresse. A slit is set into the lower edge of the back, flanked on each side by additional layers of scalloped wool trimmed with orange piping and four pebbled aluminum buttons, topped by two pebbled aluminum belt books. Stitched onto the upper right breast is an insignia consisting of a grey rayon backer bearing a machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 110 mm (w) x 40 mm (h) overall. It closes with eight pebbled aluminum buttons on the right breast meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left. Notably, all buttons are maker marked on the reverse with the logo of Klein & Quenzer, Idar-Oberstein. The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece olive-drab rayon liner which transitions into a pinstripe design through the arms. A single pocket is set into the upper left breast and opens with a horizontal flap. A black ink maker’s mark of “LIGO, HANNOVER” is visible just above the pocket, indicating manufacture by Lieferungsgenossenschaft für das Bekleidungshandwerks Niedersachsen, above size dimensions and a manufacture date of “E. 37”. The tunic measures approximately 42 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 54 cm, and an overall body length of 67 cm. Minor soiling is visible to the interior liner, but this fine-quality tunic attributed to a scarce service branch remains in an extremely fine condition.