Germany, Heer. A Panzergrenadier-Regiment 108 Hauptmann’s Service Tunic

(Heer Dienstrock für einen Hauptmann der Panzergrenadiertruppe). An extremely well-preserved Heer service tunic for a Hauptmann who served with Panzer-Grenadier Regiment 108, constructed of field-grey whipcord wool. It features a turned-down collar topped by a layer of smooth dark green wool. The collar is flanked by tabs constructed of dark green wool with buckram cores, topped by dual silver-aluminum wire insignia bisected by light green threaded piping. Each tab measures 40 mm (w) x 70 mm (l). The shoulders are flanked by boards constructed of meadow-green wool with card stock cores, topped by four bands of silver aluminum wire piping, and pinned with two gilded zink rank pips which flank numerals “108”. Each measuring 35 mm (w) x 105 mm (l), the boards are secured in place with machine stitching at the outer edge and with pebbled, silvered buttons on the inner edge. The cuff of each sleeve is rolled up to a depth of 15 cm and secured in place with two pieces of stitching. The breasts have four pleated pockets closing with scalloped flaps perforated with reinforced buttholes, in turn meeting pebbled, silvered buttons. Stitched onto the upper right breast just above the corresponding pocket is an insignia consisting of a dark green wool backer bearing a hand-embroidered silver aluminum wire Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 100 mm (w) x 45 mm (h). The upper left breast has four threaded loops arranged horizontally just above the corresponding pocket for the accommodation of a ribbon bar, while two additional sets of threaded loops arranged vertically are set over the lower edge of the pocket for the placement of awards with vertical pinbacks. A further reinforced eyelet set into the same pocket permits the addition of a badge with a screwback attachment. The tunic closes with six pebbled, silvered buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. Stitched through the penultimate buttonhole are ribbons for the 1914 Iron Cross II Class and the Eastern Front Medal. The former retains a 1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross which is constructed of silvered tombak, measures 31.56 mm (w) x 31.36 mm (h), and is unmarked but demonstrates the characteristics of manufacture by Ziemer & Söhne, Idar-Oberstein. The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece slate-grey rayon liner which transitions to a pinstripe design through the arms. A single pocket is set into the upper left breast, while an additional opening set into the lower half of the same breast accommodates a dagger hanger. A field-grey canvas strap descends from the left armpit and culminates in a functional magnetic metal spring clip which aligns with the opening. Unmarked, the tunic measures approximately 41 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 56 cm, and an overall body length of 58 cm. Minor, age-appropriate material fatigue fatigue is visible to the base wool, in addition to sporadic soiling of both the interior and exterior, but this superb and unit-attributed tunic remains in an extremely fine condition.