Germany, Heer. A Service Tunic for a Decorated Jäger Oberleutnant

(Heer Waffenrock für einen Oberleutnant der Jäger/Gebirgstruppe). A well-preserved service tunic for a Jäger Oberleutnant, constructed of field-grey wool cloth with a subtle whipcord weave. It features a turned-down collar which is topped by a layer of smooth green wool with a field-grey wool underlay. The collar is flanked by tabs which are constructed of dark green wool with buckram cores, in turn topped by silver aluminum wire insignia bisected by green threaded tresses, each measuring 45 mm (w) x 70 mm (l). The shoulders are topped by boards which are constructed of green wool with rigid card stock cores, topped by four bands of silver aluminum wire piping, and pinned with a single pip. Both measuring 35 mm (w) x 110 mm (l), the boards are secured in place with machine stitching at the seam of the shoulder, and with pebbled buttons on the inner edge. Stitched onto the upper left arm is a Krim Shield, constructed of bronzed magnetic steel, measuring 50 mm (w) x 60 mm (h), and demonstrating the characteristics of a variant produced by an unidentified manufacturer as examined in “The Krim Shield” by Sascha Weber, 2009, pages 70-71. The cuff of each sleeve is rolled up to a depth of 15 cm and fixed in place with a piece 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 105 mm (w) x 45 mm (h). Multiple rows of threaded loops are distributed over and around the upper left pocket for the accommodation of badges and ribbon bars, while the right side features additional loops indicating that the owner was the recipient of the German Cross or Spain Cross. The former retains a ribbon bar measuring 90 mm in length, and featuring six awards, including the 1939 Iron Cross II Class, the War Merit Cross II Class with Swords, the Eastern Front Medal, the Sudetenland Medal, and two Wehrmacht Long Service Awards. The addition of narrow loops above the ribbon bar indicate that the owner may have been the recipient of a Close Combat Clasp. The tunic closes with six pebbled magnetic metal buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left. A multi-piece field-grey rayon liner fully encompasses the interior, and transitions into a pinstripe design through the arms. A single interior pocket is located at the upper left breast, while an integral belt set into the waist closes with metal buckles. Unmarked, the tunic measures approximately 42 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 58 cm, and an overall length of 70 cm. Minor material fatigue and soiling consistent with both age and field wear is evident throughout the base material, but this untouched tunic to a highly-decorated Officer remains in a better than very fine condition.