Germany, Heer. A Cavalry/Armoured Reconnaissance Unteroffizier’s Dress Tunic

(Heer Waffenrock für Unteroffizier der Kavallerie/Aufklärungstruppe). A Heer Cavalry/Armored Reconnaissance Unteroffizier’s dress tunic, constructed of field-grey wool. It features a turned-down collar, lined on the obverse with a layer of smooth dark green wool. The collar is trimmed along the outer edge with a length of golden-yellow piping, and on the inner edge by a silver aluminum wire tresse. Stitched onto each side of the collar is a tab consisting of a buckram-reinforced golden-yellow base overlaid by silver aluminum wire insignia. Each tab measures 30 mm (w) x 75 mm (l). Flanking the shoulders are straps constructed of dark green wool, trimmed with golden-yellow piping, bordered by silver aluminum wire tresses, and bearing stitched numerals “17”. Each measuring 48 mm (w) x 100 mm (l), the straps are secured in place with machine stitching at the outer edge and with pebbled magnetic metal buttons on the inner edge. The cuff of each sleeve features an additional layer of smooth dark green wool, and is trimmed with golden-yellow piping transitioning into a silver aluminum wire tresse. They are each stitched with two golden-yellow wool patches bearing silver aluminum wire insignia, in turn pinned with pebbled magnetic metal buttons. The upper right breast flap is stitched with 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 flap features two horizontally-arranged threaded loops for the accommodation of a decoration with a horizontal pinback or short ribbon bar. The flaps close with eight vertically-arranged pebbled magnetic metal buttons meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes. Completing the exterior features is a reverse vertical slit featuring scalloped flaps trimmed with golden-yellow piping, flanked on each side by two pebbled magnetic metal buttons, and topped by two pebbled magnetic metal belt hooks. The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece field-grey rayon liner, transitioning into a pinstripe design through the arms. Three butterfly clips are distributed across the interior of the collar, which also features a clip and loop apparatus for a flush fit with the wearer’s neck. Unmarked, the tunic measures approximately 410 mm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 555 mm, and an overall body length of 635 mm. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include extensive material fatigue to the outer wool, interspersed with apparent mothing, throughout the arms, armpits, and back, with additional fatigue of the insignia, the removal of an insignia to the upper left arm, and fatigue to the interior liner with evidence of period repairs. The tunic is in an overall fair condition.