Germany, Heer. A Rare Panzergrenadier Division Großdeutschland Major’s Uniform, by A. Wicher

Item #G51820

$9,450

(Division Großdeutschland Uniform). A rare and extremely well-preserved uniform issued to a Major of the elite Panzergrenadier Division Großdeutschland, consisting of: 1. A Panzer wrap, constructed of black wool. It features a turned-down collar, carefully reinforced on the reverse with multiple rows of machine-stitched darts. Affixed to each side of the collar are tabs constructed of black wool with buckram cores, trimmed with rose-pink piping, and pinned with classic silvered Totenkopf cyphers. Each tab measures 40 mm (w) x 70 mm (l). The shoulders are flanked by boards constructed of card stock-reinforced rose-pink wool, topped by four bands of interwoven silver aluminum wire piping, and pinned with Großdeutschland cyphers constructed of a brightly gilded aluminum. Each measuring 35 mm (w) x 95 mm (l), the boards are secured in place with machine stitching integrated into the sleeve’s seam at the outer edge, and with black-painted pebbled zink buttons on the inner edge. The cuff of each sleeve has a vertical slit closing with two hidden black bakelite buttons meeting a grey rayon ribbon for a fully adjustable fit. Stitched onto the lower right sleeve is an exceptionally high-quality Officer’s Großdeutschland cuff title, constructed of a black doeskin base, trimmed along both the top and bottom edges with silver aluminum wire tresses. It bears a central machine-embroidered inscription of “GROßDEUTSCHLAND” in Sütterlin script, and measures 36 mm in diameter and demonstrates a perfectly tailored fit. Stitched onto the upper right breast flap is an additional insignia consisting of a black wool backer bearing a hand-embroidered silver aluminum wire Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 110 mm (w) x 45 mm (h). The left breast flap features three sets of vertically-arranged threaded loops formerly accommodating decorations with vertical pinbacks, while the right side similarly features a single set of loops directly below the eagle. The right flap also retains eight black bakelite buttons meeting seven reinforced buttonholes on the left side for flush closure. Completing the exterior features are two aluminum belt hooks which emanate from the back seam. The interior is partially encompassed by a light grey rayon liner set through the flaps, featuring integral pockets on both sides. A two-piece black cotton drawstring set into the waist functions as a belt. Directly below the collar’s suspension loop is a label bearing a maker’s mark of “A. WICHLER, DONAUESCHINGEN”, indicating high-quality custom manufacture. It measures approximately 47.5 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 59 cm, and an overall body length of 60 cm. With no evident material fatigue or damage, the wrap is in an overall extremely fine condition. 2. A pair of matching trousers, similarly constructed of black wool. They feature an integral belt consisting of a hidden black cotton/rayon-blended strap which emanates from the right and meets a black magnetic metal buckle with three claws set into the left, and close with a French fly consisting of nine black bakelite buttons meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes. Two side pockets feature scalloped diagonal flaps closing with black bakelite buttons meeting reinforced buttonholes, with a single back pocket featuring a similarly-arranged horizontal flap. Each ankle has a vertical slit closing with a single black bakelite button, as well as a drawstring for a customizable closure around the accompanying boots. A partially white cotton liner encompasses the waistband and forms the interior of the aforementioned pockets. Six black bakelite buttons are also distributed around the waistband. Stamped onto the right side of the liner are size dimensions, while the left side retains a white label bearing red machine-embroidered owner’s initials of “M.V.”. The trousers measure approximately 42 cm across the waist, with an inseam of 32 cm, and an overall length of 106 cm. Free of evident material fatigue or damage, they are in an overall extremely fine condition.