Germany, Heer. A Named Infantry Feldwebel Dress Tunic, by H. Steinkühler

(Heer Infanterie Waffenrock). A well-preserved Heer Infantry dress tunic, constructed of smooth field-grey wool. The tunic features an integrated forest-green wool collar, fully trimmed with white piping and bordered on the inside by a machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire tresse. The collar is flanked by tabs, each constructed of buckram-reinforced white wool and bearing dual machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire insignia, both measuring 35 mm (w) x 65 mm (l). Each shoulder features a strap constructed of forest-green wool, trimmed with white piping, bordered by a silver aluminum wire tresse, and pinned with a single silvered bronze rank pip. The straps each measure 38 mm (w) x 100 mm (l) and are secured to the tunic by machine stitching at the outer edge and by a pebbled magnetic metal button on the inner edge. The cuff of each sleeve is constructed of an additional layer of forest-green wool, trimmed with white piping and silver aluminum wire tresses, and bears dual insignia in the form of white wool tabs overlaid by machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire insignia, secured in place by pebbled magnetic metal buttons. Each insignia measures 32 mm (w) x 60 mm (h). Stitched into the upper left breast flap is an additional insignia in the form of a forest-green wool backer bearing a hand-embroidered Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika. The eagle insignia measures 100 mm (w) x 45 mm (h). Stitched onto the upper left breast flap are dual horizontally-arranged threaded loops for the accommodation of a medal bar with a horizontal pinback. The tunic closes with eight magnetic metal buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. The exterior features complete with a reverse vertical slit, flanked by scalloped flaps trimmed with white piping, each with a pebbled magnetic metal button, and topped by dual pebbled magnetic metal belt hooks. The interior of the tunic features a complete field-grey rayon liner, transitioning into a pinstripe design through both arms. A single interior pocket is located at the upper left breast flap, featuring a label with a maker’s mark of “STEINKÜHLER, HERFORD”, as well as an illegible handwritten owner’s name, a unit designation of “J.R. 58” (58th Infantry Regiment), and a date of “1936”. An additional Steinkühler label is stitched into the collar. Integrated rayon loops are located at the sides of both armpits, and the interior features are completed by three magnetic metal butterfly clips for the accommodation of a collar stay, as well as by dual magnetic metal clips on the right collar meeting an identical number of loops on the left, facilitating a flush fit with the wearer’s neck. The tunic measures approximately 490 mm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 570 mm and an overall body length of 635 mm. It demonstrates a number of issues consistent with age and wear, including the reattachment of most buttons, material fatigue of the wool and silver aluminum wire insignia, tearing and re-stitching of the interior liner, and minor soiling. The tunic is in an overall very fine condition.