Germany, Wehrmacht. A Rare Ukrainian Liberation Army Volunteer’s Service Blouse

(Wehrmacht Ukrainische Befreiungsarmee Waffenrock). A rare and extremely well-preserved Ukrainian Liberation Army Volunteer’s field blouse, constructed of a field-grey herringbone twill (HBT) cotton/wool blend. It features a turned-down collar which is flanked on each side by tabs. The latter are constructed of grey rayon bisected by machine-embroidered dark grey bands, in turn flanked on each side by narrow tresses of identical construction. Each tab measures 26 mm (w) x 70 mm (l). The shoulders are flanked by straps constructed of field-grey wool, trimmed with red piping, and stitched with dual silver aluminum wire tresses. Each measuring 45 mm (w) x 120 mm (l), the straps are secured to the tunic with loops at the outer edge and with pebbled magnetic metal buttons on the inner edge. The cuff of each sleeve features a vertical slit closing with two pressed card stock buttons for an adjustable fit. Stitched onto the upper left arm is an insignia consisting of a field-grey cotton backer bearing a printed Ukrainian Liberation Army insignia, measuring 55 mm (w) x 62 mm (h). The breasts feature four pockets, all opening with horizontal flaps perforated with reinforced buttonholes meeting pebbled zink buttons. Stitched onto the tunic with its period original zig-zag machine embroidery is an insignia consisting of field-grey rayon backer bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika. The eagle insignia measures 105 mm (w) x 40 mm (h) overall. Two sets of vertically-arranged loops are embroidered onto the tunic over the top left pocket for the accommodation of decorations with vertical pinbacks. The waist is flanked by two sets of reinforced eyelets for the accommodation of a belt hanger. A multi-piece silver-grey rayon liner partially encompasses the interior, and includes a narrow pocket at the lower right breast. Two cotton twill straps perforated with reinforced eyelets descend from the armpits to attach to a belt hanger. The blouse is unmarked with the exception of faint trace remnants of size marks on the interior of the right breast flap. It measures approximately 42 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 60 cm, and an overall body length of 75 cm. With only minor material fatigue and soiling evident, this scarce field blouse remains in an extremely fine condition.