Germany, Heer. A Cavalry/Armoured Reconnaissance Feldwebel’s M35 Dress Tunic, by Wilhelm Lüders

(Heer Waffenrock M35 für Feldwebel der Kavallerie/Aufklärung). An extremely well-preserved Heer Cavalry/Armoured Reconnaissance Feldwebel’s M35 dress tunic, constructed of a field-grey wool/tricot blend. The tunic features a smooth dark green wool collar, fully trimmed along the outer edge with a band of golden-yellow wool piping. A machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire tresse bordered the inner edge of the collar. It is flanked on each side by tabs constructed of golden-yellow wool with buckram cores, topped by two silver aluminum wire insignia, and measuring 35 mm (w) x 75 mm (l). The boards are flanked by straps constructed of dark green wool, trimmed with golden-yellow piping, bordered by silver aluminum wire tresses, and pinned with silvered numerals “13” with a single rank pip of identical construction. Each measuring 42 mm (w) x 95 mm (l), the boards are secured in place with machine stitching at the outer edge, and with a pebbled aluminum button bearing a raised numeral “3” on the inner edge. Additional layers of smooth dark green wool line the cuffs, which are similarly trimmed with golden-yellow wool piping along the edges and bordered with silver aluminum tresses. Each cuff is adorned with two rectangular golden-yellow wool patches topped with silver aluminum wire tresses and pinned with pebbled magnetic metal buttons. Stitched onto the upper right breast is an insignia consisting of a dark green wool backer bearing a hand-embroidered silver aluminum wire eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika. It measures 100 mm (w) x 45 mm (h) overall. The tunic closes with eight pebbled magnetic metal buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. Affixed to the right shoulder strap and third breast button is a Grade 1 Heer Marksmanship Lanyard, consisting of a twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire cord pinned with an aluminum shield overlaid by a raised Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika. The exterior features complete with a reverse vertical slit, flanked by scalloped flaps trimmed with golden-yellow wool piping. The former features four pebbled magnetic metal buttons topped with two belt hooks of identical construction. The interior is fully encompassed by a field-grey rayon liner featuring an integral belt apparatus consisting of dual straps with magnetic metal buckles. A single interior pocket is located at the upper left breast, opening with a horizontal flap, and is overlaid by a label bearing a maker’s mark of “WILH. LÜDERS, LÜNEBURG”. Two rayon loops are stitched into the armpits, while an additional lower slit set into the left flap accommodates an optional dagger hanger. Three magnetic metal butterfly clips riveted to the interior of the collar accommodate an optional stay, while the collar also features a hook and loop apparatus to ensure a flush fit with the wearer’s neck. The tunic measures approximately 440 mm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 610 mm, and an overall body length of 705 mm. Minor signs of wear are evident to both the exterior wool and interior liner, with the latter demonstrating possible evidence of period repair. The tunic is in an overall extremely fine condition.