Germany, Luftwaffe. A Tropical Field Blouse, by Otto Ruppel

(Luftwaffe Tropen Feldbluse). An extremely well-preserved Luftwaffe tropical field blouse, constructed of a khaki-tan cotton cloth with a pronounced whipcord weave. It features a turned-down collar which transitions into double breast lapels. The shoulders are topped by integral loops and reinforced buttonholes for the accommodation of straps or boards. The cuff of each sleeve is rolled up and secured in position with machine stitching around the circumference, and also features a hidden vertical slit which fastens closed with two metal buttons. Four pleated pockets are set into the breasts, all closing with flaps perforated with reinforced buttonholes, in turn meeting brown pebbled metal buttons. Stitched onto the upper right breast just above the corresponding pocket is an insignia consisting of khaki-tan rayon backer bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, measuring 90 mm (w) x 45 mm (h). Two sets of three reinforced eyelets are set into the waist for the inclusion of a belt hanger. The blouse closes with six pebbled brown metal buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left. A single interior bandage pocket is set into the lower right flap, while the left breast is stamped with a maker’s mark of “RUPPEL” for the firm of Otto Ruppel (a noted manufacturer of Wehrmacht tropical clothing), in turn situated above size marks. The blouse measures approximately 45 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 58 cm, and an overall body length of 70 cm when folded on a flat surface. Demonstrating only minor soiling and material fatigue, this tropical blouse, awaiting the optional addition of period insignia, remains in an extremely fine condition.