Germany, SS. A Waffen-SS Flak/Artillery Untersturmführer’s Service Tunic

(Waffen-SS Dienstrock für Untersturmführer der Flak/Artillerie). A Waffen-SS Flak/Artillery Untersturmführer’s service tunic, constructed of field-grey wool. It features a turned-down smooth dark green wool collar, flanked on each side by tabs. The latter are each constructed of black wool with buckram cores, and are trimmed with twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire piping. On the right, an insignia tab bears dual machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire Sig runes. On the left, a rank tab is pinned with three gilded zink rank pips. Each tab measures 45 mm (w) x 60 mm (l) overall. The shoulders are flanked with boards constructed of cardboard-reinforced black wool, trimmed with a layer of red piping, and bearing four bands of silver aluminum wire piping. Each measuring 35 mm (w) x 110 mm (l), the boards are secured in place with machine stitching at the outer edge, and with pebbled magnetic metal buttons on the inner edge. Stitched onto the upper left arm is a striking insignia consisting of a black wool backer bearing a hand-embroidered silver aluminum wire SS-style German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika. The eagle insignia measures 90 mm (w) x 40 mm (h). The cuff of each sleeve is rolled up to a depth of 170 mm and secured in place with machine stitching at both the front and back. Each breast features two pleated pockets closing with scalloped flaps with reinforced buttonholes meeting pebbled magnetic metal buttons. Two sets of vertically-arranged threaded loops are set over the upper left pocket for the accommodation of decorations with vertical pinbacks, while three horizontally-arranged threaded loops just above the same pocket facilitate attachment of a ribbon bar. The interior is fully encompassed by a field-grey rayon liner which transitions into a pinstripe design through the sleeves. A single interior pocket is located at the upper left breast, with the interior retaining a partially-legible maker’s label reading “EDER & SOHN, NÜRNBERG”, indicating high-quality private manufacture by a firm traditionally associated with Heer uniforms. An additional reinforced slit directly underneath the pocket allows for the optional addition of a dagger hanger. Dual integral straps emanate from the waistband complete in magnetic metal clips. The tunic measures approximately 430 mm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 570 mm, and an overall body length of 630 mm. Issues consistent with age and use are evident, and include patches of mothing and material fatigue to the exterior wool, wear of the insignia and buttons (with replacement of the upper left pocket button), soiling and tearing of the interior liner, and significant oxidation to the integral belt clips. The tunic is in an overall very fine condition.