Germany, Luftwaffe. A Decorated Flak/Artillery NCO’s Service Blouse

(Luftwaffe Dienstbluse für Unteroffizier der Flak/Artillerie). A service blouse belonging to a decorated Luftwaffe Flak/Artillery NCO, constructed of dark navy blue whipcord wool. It features a turned down collar which transitions into double breast lapels. The cuff of each sleeve has been rolled up to a depth of 105 mm and was formerly held in place with a row of machine stitching along the circumference, which has since been separated and replaced with two pieces of machine stitching at the front and back. Each breast flap features two pleated pockets, all opening with horizontal flaps with reinforced buttonholes meeting black bakelite buttons. Just above the upper right pocket, a small length of stitching retaining an insignia consisting of a dark blue wool backer bearing a hand-embroidered silver aluminum wire Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika. The eagle insignia measures 86 mm (w) x 56 mm (h). Set over the upper left pocket is a Black Grade Wound Badge, constructed of blackened bronze, measuring 36.38 mm (w) x 43.87 mm (h), unmarked, and missing its pinback with a single piece of stitching securing it in place. Pinned in place just above the same pocket is a ribbon bar measuring 46 mm in length and featuring three decorations, including a 1939 Iron Cross II Class, a War Merit Cross II Class with Swords, and an Eastern Front Medal. The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece black rayon liner. It features a single pocket located at the upper left breast, with an additional slit just below for the accommodation of a dagger hanger. Unmarked, the tunic measures approximately 430 mm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 580 mm, and an overall body length of 590 mm. In addition to the aforementioned issues, it demonstrates numerous issues consistent with age and use, including material fatigue and soiling to the outer wool and interior liner, with evidence of repairs to the seams, and the removal of insignia. The latter are included and are concealed in the lower left breast pocket. These include a pair of collar tabs, both constructed of red wool with buckram cores and pinned with three silvered gulls, both unmarked and measuring 36 mm (w) x 55 mm (l), with extensive soiling and fatigue evident, and a pair of shoulder straps, each constructed of dark grey wool, trimmed with red piping, bordered by silver aluminum wire tresses, and pinned with a silvered rank pip. Both unmarked, the straps measure 42 mm (w) x 105 mm (l) and demonstrate only slight material fatigue.