L003596 FLAK ARTILLERY OBERLEUTNANT'S SERVICE UNIFORM.

BACKGROUND: The Reichsluftwaffe was official established on February 26TH 1935 as the third branch of service of the Armed Forces. On March 9TH 1935 the formation of the new Reichsluftwaffe was announced to the foreign press and on March 16TH conscription was reintroduced for all three branches of service. On May 21ST 1935 the Reichsluftwaffe designation was altered to Luftwaffe. The standard pattern service uniform was adopted by the Luftwaffe in March 1935, and was based on the uniform worn by personnel in the Deutscher Luftsport Verband, (German Air Sports League), the clandestine, civilian forerunner of the Luftwaffe, as early as 1933, with minor modifications. The 1935 pattern uniform tunic was designated Tuchrock, (Cloth tunic), and was worn open at the neck. On November 11TH 1938 a new pattern tunic was introduced that had allowances for it to be worn closed at the neck. The 1938 pattern tunic was designated Anzugrock, (Uniform tunic), and was intended to replace the 1935 pattern Tuchrock and Fliegerbluse, (Flight Blouse). The 1938 pattern tunic eventually did replace the Tuchrock, but not the Fliegerbluse. On its inception the Luftwaffe also adopted the DLV’s, Officer’s dress aiguillette. The dress aiguillette was worn by all Officer ranks with the Parade, Formal Day and Formal Evening Dress uniforms. Originally the DLV style aiguillette was constructed in matte silver/aluminum braiding for Company and Field grade Officers and in gilt braid for General rank Officers. Regulations of April 1935 altered the early matte silver/aluminum braid aiguillette to a bright silver/aluminum braid aiguillette for the Company and Field grade Officers with the ranks of Leutnant to Oberst inclusively. The dress aiguillette was worn suspended from under the right shoulder board, underneath the wearer’s arm across the right breast and secured to the top, front, closure button on the tunic. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the Luftwaffe’s Verkaufsabteilung, (Air Force Sales Department), system. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase their uniforms from the armed forces clothing depots or to privately purchase uniform items of higher quality. Although enlisted personnel were issued their uniforms from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored uniforms although the price may have been restrictive. The different branches of service within the Luftwaffe were allocated a specific, identifying, waffenfarbe, (Branch of Service Color), with bright red being chosen for personnel serving with Flak, Flugzeugabwehrartillerie, (Anti Aircraft Artillery), units which was generally displayed as collar piping for EM/NCO’s, (discontinued in March 1940), on the collar tabs and as piping on the shoulder strap/boards of the service tunic. Of Note: The Flak arm is often viewed as a secondary arm of service within the Luftwaffe when in fact during the war between half and two thirds of all Luftwaffe personnel served in a Flak unit.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nice quality, 1935 pattern, Luftwaffe blue/grey wool/tricot, blend construction tunic with a subtle whipcord weave features a vertical, four button, front closure with small, fold back, lapels and a lay down collar. Looks to be all original stitching to the insignia & buttons. Award loops for three breast badge and a ribbon bar. Nice original tailors label and owner name tag with a 1941 date. The tunic is roughly size 36" chest. Comes with a nice match pair of size 32" trousers.

GRADE ****1/4                             PRICE $2,300.00

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