Germany, Luftwaffe. A Flak/Artillery Unteroffizier Tropical Service Shirt

(Luftwaffe Tropen Diensthemd für Unteroffizier der Flak/Artillerie). A very well-preserved Luftwaffe Flak/Artillery Unteroffizier tropical service shirt, constructed of a light brown cotton twill. It features a turned down collar with a slight extending approximately half the length of the front, closing with four light brown bakelite buttons on the right side meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left. The shoulders are flanked by straps constructed of dark grey wool, trimmed with red piping, and bordered by silver aluminum wire tresses. Each measuring 48 mm (w) x 105 mm (l), the straps are secured in place with loops at the outer edges and with pebbled magnetic metal buttons on the inner edge. The cuff of each sleeve has a short slit perforated with a reinforced buttonhole, in turn meeting a single light brown bakelite button for an adjustable fit. Two pleated pockets are set into the upper breasts, both closing with scalloped flaps perforated with reinforced buttonholes, closing with light brown bakelite buttons. Stitched onto the shirt just above the left pocket is an insignia consisting of a triangular khaki-tan cotton backer bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, measuring 100 mm (w) x 50 mm (h). The interior of the collar is stamped with an illegible Reichsbetriebsnummer (RBNr.) and number “2”. It measures approximately 45 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 57 cm, and an overall body length of 82 cm when folded on a flat surface. Demonstrating only minor soiling and material fatigue, the shirt remains in an extremely fine condition.