Germany, Heer. A Service Tunic for a Decorated Hauptmann of Kavallerie-Regiment 5

(Heer Feldbluse für einen Hauptmann der Kavallerie-Regiment 5). A very well-preserved service tunic for a Hauptmann of Kavallerie-Regiment 5, constructed of field-grey wool with a subtle whipcord weave. It features a turned-down collar which is reinforced on the reverse with machine stitching, and which is flanked on each side by tabs. The former are constructed of dark green wool with buckram cores and topped by two silver aluminum wire insignia, in turn bisected by golden-yellow bullion wire tresses, measuring 45 mm (w) x 70 mm (l). The shoulders are topped by boards which are constructed of golden-yellow wool with rigid card stock cores, topped by four bands of silver aluminum wire piping, and pinned with gilded numerals “5” with two pips. Each measuring 35 mm (w) x 105 mm (l), the boards are secured in place with stitching at the seam of the shoulder and with pebbled metal buttons on the inner edge. The cuff of each sleeve is rolled up to a depth of 14 cm and held in place with two pieces of stitching. Four pleated pockets are set into the breasts, all closing with scalloped 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 consisting of a dark green wool backer bearing a hand-embroidered silver aluminum wire Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 100 mm (w) x 40 mm (h). Pinned onto the tunic just above the upper left pocket is a ribbon bar featuring four decorations, including the 1939 Iron Cross II Class, Anschluss Medal, Sudetenland Medal, and Italian-German African Campaign Medal, measuring 60 mm in length. Multiple sets of loops are distributed over the same pocket for the accommodation of awards with vertical pinbacks, while a reinforced eyelet indicates that the owner was likely the recipient of a 1939 Iron Cross I Class with a screwback attachment. The tunic closes with four pebbled metal buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left. Stitched through the top buttonhole is a ribbon for the Eastern Front Medal. The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece grey rayon liner which transitions into a pinstripe design through the arms. A single interior pocket is set into the upper left breast flap. Unmarked, the tunic measures approximately 42 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 58 cm, and an overall length of 70 cm. Moderate soiling is visible throughout the base cloth of both the interior and exterior, while the buttons demonstrate some deterioration consistent with zink, but this otherwise untouched and unit-attributed tunic remains in a better than very fine condition.