Germany, Imperial. A Oberstleutnant’s Dark Blue Dress Tunic With First World War Medal Bar

(Preußen Dunkelblau Waffenrock für Oberstleutnant mit Ordensschnalle). A uniform and award set to a decorated veteran of the prewar- and First World War-period Prussian Army, consisting of:

1. A dress tunic, constructed of Dunkelblau (dark blue) wool in the style worn from 1860-1914. It features a raised collar, trimmed along the upper half of the exterior with wide silver aluminum wire tresses flanked by dark blue machine embroidery along both the top and bottom edges. Additional elongated silver aluminum wire insignia also flank each side of the collar. Affixed to the shoulders are epaulettes consisting of padded red wool bases, topped by layers of smooth white wool and bordered by silver aluminum wire fringes. Each measuring 10.5 cm (w) x 13.5 cm (l), the epaulettes are bordered by silvered bronze rings, transitioning to silver aluminum wire tresses. They are secured in place with loops rings of identical construction set into the shoulders, along with silvered bronze buttons. The cuff of each sleeve features a wide silver aluminum wire tresse, similarly bordered by dark blue machine embroidery, situated above dual silver aluminum wire insignia topped by silvered bronze buttons. It closes with eight silvered bronze buttons on the right breast flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. Stitched into the upper left chest are seven horizontally-arranged threaded loops for the accommodation of a medal bar, along with three vertically-arranged threaded loops for the accommodation of an award with a vertical pinback. A single narrow side pocket is set into the left side and retains a period original sword hanger, constructed of white textured leather with a black doeskin base, and retains a functional magnetic metal spring clip. Completing the exterior features is a reverse split flanked by scalloped flaps which are trimmed with red piping and flanked on each side by three silvered bronze buttons. The interior is encompassed by a multi-piece liner consisting of a red wool base, overlaid across the upper back and shoulders with white cotton. A single interior pocket is set into the upper left breast, which the interior also retains a white cotton strap to secure the sword hanger in place. A black ink code is handwritten into the left sleeve, but the tunic is otherwise unmarked. It measures approximately 45 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 57 cm, and an overall body length of 79 cm. Material fatigue consistent with age and wear is evident, and includes minor soiling and fatigue to the wool, oxidation and fraying to the wire features, and some soiling and fraying of the interior liner. It is in an overall very fine condition.

2. A medal bar for prewar and First World War service featuring seven decorations, including:

A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with three central oak leaves, the six o’clock arm with an initial institution date “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm with initials “FW” topped by a royal crown, without visible marks, measuring 43.76 mm (w) x 47.84 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

An Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Combatants, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing central wreathed dates “1914-1918”, the reverse maker marked with the logo of Twer & Turck, Lüdenscheid, measuring 37.57 mm (w) x 42.14 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

A Cross for Voluntary War Aid, constructed of zink, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central raised monogram of Kaiser Wilhelm II, the reverse bearing a central raised inscription of “FÜR KRIEGS-HILFSDIENST” (“FOR VOLUNTARY WAR AID”), unmarked, measuring 41.34 mm (w) x 40.95 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

A 1912 General Honour Deocation, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised and crowned monogram of Kaiser Wilhelm II, above a date of “1912”, the reverse bearing a raised and wreathed inscription of “VERDIENST UM DEN STAAT” (“SERVICE TO THE STATE”), unmarked, measuring 39.70 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

A Prussian Long Service Cross, I Class for 15 Years, constructed of gilded copper, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with ribbed arms, the obverse bearing a central raised crown, the reverse bearing a central raised number “15” in Roman numerals, unmarked, measuring 35.92 mm (w) x 39.24 mm (h), with minor loss of finish evident in addition to having been stitched onto the bar backwards, in near extremely fine condition.

A Russian Medal for Diligence, I Class, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised and leftward-facing profile of Tsar Nicholas II, circumscribed by name and title in Russian Cyrillic, the reverse bearing an inscription of “ЗА УСЕРДІЕ” (“FOR DILIGENCE”), flanked by laurel and oak leaf branches, unmarked, measuring 29.50 mm in diameter, in near extremely fine condition.

A Russian Medal for Diligence, I Class, constructed of silvered bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised and leftward-facing profile of Tsar Nicholas II, circumscribed by name and title in Russian Cyrillic, the reverse bearing an inscription of “ЗА УСЕРДІЕ” (“FOR DILIGENCE”), flanked by laurel and oak leaf branches, unmarked, measuring 30.12 mm in diameter, in near extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 20 cm-long zink bar with a horizontal pinback and red wool reverse liner, unmarked, with minor soiling visible to the ribbons,in extremely fine condition.