L014294 OBERGEFREITER'S TROPICAL TUNIC. (Tropen Feldbluse)

BACKGROUND: The Reichsluftwaffe was officially 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. In late 1940, with the impending German entrance into the North African campaign, the army quickly developed and issued tropical uniforms and equipment in time for DAK, Deutsches Afrika Korps, (German Africa Corps), personnel’s arrival in Tripoli in February 1941. At the same time the Luftwaffe also developed and introduced their own version of the tropical uniform and equipment independently from the other branches of service. Originally the tropical uniforms were only intended for wear in North Africa but that was later expanded to include personnel serving in southern areas of continental Europe during the summer months, (May 1ST to September 30TH). The design of the tropical uniform was based on the standard continental uniform but in a different color and material. The Luftwaffe tropical uniform remained basically unchanged for the duration of the war with minor modifications. 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. On entering Luftwaffe service EM/NCO personnel were assigned and trained for a specific trade or military function. On successful completion of the appropriate training, personnel were issue a distinctive trade specialty badge to be worn on the lower left sleeve of the service tunic and the flight and field blouses as identifying insignia with a couple of exceptions. The original trade badges were introduced in May 1935 and were supplemented with additional badges prior to and early in the war. In all the Luftwaffe utilized no fewer then thirty nine assorted trade specialty badges. Some select trade badges were piped with twisted grey or silver/aluminum braiding to denote NCO’s ranks while some were piped with twisted gilt braiding to denote outstanding performance in the particular trade. When a trade badge was allocated with the outstanding performance, gilt braid, piping it came accompanied with an award certificate. The Medical Personnel’s badge was introduced on November 6TH 1936 for personnel who had successfully completed the first stage of medical training.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Light weight, subtly ribbed, tan cotton construction tropical field blouse features a vertical, six button front closure with small, fold back lapels, a lay down collar and a single metal hook and eye positioned at the forward neckline. The field blouse has two, pleated, patch, breast pockets and two, non pleated, saddlebag, hip pockets with expanding side panels, all with straight edged, button down flaps. The right breast has a machine embroidered, second pattern, (Circa 1936/37 1945), Luftwaffe eagle clutching a canted swastika in one talon, in silvery/white rayon threads mounted cut out, light tan cotton base. The base is machine stitched to the field blouse in the typical zig zag fashion and 100% original to the tunic. The front of the field blouse has two, small, vertical, tapering darts. The straight cut sleeves have dual ply, simulated, French cuffs and a small, vertical, slash to the outside seams with dual fit adjustment buttons to each. The upper left sleeve has an Obergefreiter’s rank insignia consisting of dual, machine woven, bright, silver/aluminum, waffle patterned, chevrons machine stitched on a mottled, Luftwaffe blue/grey wool, inverted triangular base which is machine stitched to the sleeve. The lower left sleeve had a trade badge at one time which has been removed. The waistline side seams each have three, vertically aligned, stitched eyelets for the belt support hooks. The belt support hooks are absent. The reverse of the field blouse has a central, vertical, tail skirt vent. The field blouse has the shoulder strap fabric retaining loops and buttons intact but the slip on shoulder straps have been removed. The lay down collar has the typical zig zag reinforcement stitching to the reverse and the right side has a horizontally extended, fabric tab with a single, stitched button eyelet with a corresponding button positioned on the reverse of the left, fold back lapel, for a secure closure in inclement weather. The field blouse has no collar tabs, as per regulations. The unlined interior has small, light weight, tan cotton, reinforcement panels to the shoulder panels, the armpit openings and down the side seams. The side seams also have small, vertical, tan cotton straps with six, stitched eyelets, to each, for the belt support hooks. The right, front, tail skirt has a tan, linen field dressing pocket with a single button closure. The interior left breast is well marked with black, size inkstamps and the manufacturer’s name and location that appears to be, "Peek & Cloppenburg "BEHA" G.m.b.H. Berlin". The field blouse is in overall very good condition with a few small picks and pulls and light age and usage toning. The front closure and exterior pocket buttons are all the removable, matte grey painted, pebbled, magnetic sheet metal type and are secured to the field blouse by opened "S" rings. The shoulder strap retaining buttons are also the matte grey painted, pebbled, magnetic sheet metal type, inserted through stitched eyelets and secured by natural alloy dish buttons stitched to the reverse shanks. The cuff and field dressing pocket buttons are the natural alloy dish type and appear to have their original stitching. The field blouse is roughly size 40" chest.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $2,595.00

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