Germany, Ss. An Axis Pow Tunic And Belt, With Postwar Veteran’s Certificate, To Waffen-Ss Soldier Klaus Bartels

A lot of items from the estate of Klaus Bartels, a Waffen-SS soldier who served with I. Panzer-Korps, SS Division Leibstandarte, consisting of:

1. A well-preserved tunic in the style provided to Axis prisoners of war (POWs) in captivity in the United States, constructed of a wool blend which has been dyed in a dark grey. It features a low turned-down collar, and flared cuffs which close with brown bakelite buttons meeting a single buttonhole. Each breast flap features a single high-set pocket with a reinforced buttonhole meeting a single bakelite button. The tunic closes with seven bakelite buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes. The interior is plain with the exception of a hidden flap on the left side of the breast. Unmarked, the tunic measures approximately 43 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 56 cm, and an overall body length of 74 cm. Demonstrating minor material fatigue consistent with age and wear, the tunic is in a near extremely fine condition. It is accompanied by a period original matching belt, constructed of olive-drab canvas. Dual magnetic metal fixtures at each end facilitate a functional snap closure, with one fixture bearing British and American patent marks. The reverse of the belt bears a partially-legible white ink owner’s name which appears to read “KLAUS BARTELS”, above an additional mark which includes possible Waffen-SS double Sig runes. It measures 30 mm (w) x 980 mm (l), demonstrates only slight material fatigue, and is in an overall extremely fine condition.

2. A certificate issued to Bartels from the Kamderschaftsverband der Soldaten des I. Panzer-Korps (Association of Soldiers of the 1st Panzer Corps), awarding him with the Honour Pin in Gold, dated 15 May 1992 and featuring Leibstandarte and Waffen-SS imagery, set within a blackened wooden frame which retains a glass face and reverse suspension wire, the visible portion of the certificate measuring 20 cm (w) x 27 cm (h), the frame measuring 29 cm (w) x 35.5 cm (h), the certificate demonstrating some discolouration consistent with storage, in near extremely fine condition.