A Hermann Göring Division NCO's Uniform & Soldbuch of Oberfeldwebel Franz Weigl

Includes five pieces: tunic, pants, visor cap, salary book and business card. The tunic is fabricated from a Luftwaffe bluish-gray wool. The shoulders are adorned with Hermann Göring Division Oberfeldwebel shoulder straps, with matching bluish-gray wool uppers to that of the tunic itself, trimmed on all four sides with a strip of fine silver threading stitched in place via white threading, the three edges trimmed in white piping, a reinforced button hole at the neck end and secured in place via a gray finished zinc button, both buttons unmarked, the underside of the straps in midnight blue wool. Both sides of the collar at the opening have Hermann Göring Division Hauptgefreiter collar tabs, each with four silvered stylized eagles mounted on a white wool field, while the edges of the collar are trimmed in angled white cord along the edge, complemented by a strip of fine silver threading stitched in place via white threading to the upper of the collar itself. There are five black plastic buttons on the inside of the collar for placement of a protective liner, with a strap overlying the centre button for hanging the tunic on a hook. The right breast is enriched with a Luftwaffe eagle insignia in light gray on a bluish-gray wool field. There is an 18.5 mm x 72 mm ribbon bar on the left breast, composed of two conjoined ribbon bars, each with its own pinback and sharing a common bluish-gray wool backer, the first bar with one ribbon, that of the War Merit Cross with Swords (with crossed swords clasp), the second ribbon bar with three ribbons: the Luftwaffe Long Service Medal, 3rd Class for Twelve Years' Service (with Luftwaffe eagle clasp), the Commemorative Medal for 13 March 1938 and the Commemorative Medal for 1 October 1938. There are two rows of vertically-aligned horizontal loops below the ribbon bar for the placement of awards, that have since been lost to time. There are two pockets, one on either side at the hip, each with a j-shaped entry and lined in mid-tone gray rayon. The front has a vertical row of four large black plastic buttons sewn in place on the right side, facing an equal number of reinforced button holes on the left side. The right cuff is adorned with a HermannGöring Division officer's cuff title with a midnight blue wool upper, the inscription "HERMANN GÖRING" and the two rows of trim along the edge on either side in light gray embroidery. The left cuff has a Mechanized Transport Equipment proficiency badge sewn in place, the badge illustrating a winged-wheel in gray embroidery, on a bluish-gray wool, a darker wool than that used on the tunic itself, the perimeter edge trimmed in a gold-coloured twisted cord border, indicating that the wearer had one years' service in this particular specialty. The inside is lined in black cotton, while the sleeves are lined in white cotton and incorporate a pattern of repeating rules in bluish-gray, highlighted by a repeating row of midnight blue dashes. There is a bluish-gray wool reinforced slot that opens into the left hip pocket. In addition, there is side entry pocket placed at the top, just inside the opening on the left side, with a fabric-based manufacturer's label sewn in place on its inside, the label inscribed in black ink "L.H. Berger, Collani & Co. Berlin SW 68 Friedrichstraße 210" and named to "Oberfeldw.Weigl" below in typewritten text. The tunic measures 440 mm across the shoulders and 630 mm in length overall. The pants are fabricated from the same Luftwaffe bluish-gray wool as that used in the tunic. It is designed with a button down fly, incorporating four bluish-gray plastic buttons on the right side, facing an equal number of reinforced button holes on the right side, discreetly hidden under a flap, with a large hook and eye above at the waist. It has five pockets, deep side-entry pockets on both sides at the front, a small pocket between the right side pocket and the fly, with a magnetic silvered metal ring sewn in place to the right of the small pocket, plus pockets on either side on the seat, all five lined in gray cotton and designed with flaps with reinforced button holes and bluish-gray plastic buttons. The rear comes with straps in matching Luftwaffe bluish-gray wool at the waist, each with a magnetic metal buckle finished in metallic blue, and when adjusted, aids in a snug fit at the waistline. Inside, the entire waist is lined in a black cotton panel, which incorporates six bluish-gray plastic buttons, two sewn in place on each of the right and left sides and at the rear, with a black cotton strap sewn in place between the two rear buttons for hanging the pants on a hook. Both cuffs are vented, trimmed in a strip of black cotton with a single snap closure, and come with a 32 mm wide elasticized band forming a stirrup. The pants measure 410 mm in width x 1,020 mm in length, exhibiting light soiling on the gray cotton pockets, with both elasticized bands exhibiting light wear and soiling. Both the tunic and pants display a nice texture in the wool, quality workmanship, the stitching remaining intact throughout and are free of mothing. The visor cap is fabricated in a Luftwaffe blue gray Fliegerblau (Flier's Blue) wool, with a wide black ribbed rayon cap band, traditional high peak with matching white piping along the top edge and flanking either side of the band. It is decorated with a well-detailed silvered aluminum Luftwaffe eagle insignia on the peak and an oak leaf wreath with stylized wings and cockade on the band, the latter in silvered aluminum with a red and black painted cockade. The black smooth finished patent leather chin strap rests upon the visor, composed of three pieces, the central piece with two magnetic metal buckles and joined to the flanking end pieces via rectangular loops, the end pieces attached to black finished buttons on either side. The vulcanfibre visor has a smooth black leather-look upper and has a forest green synthetic underside. The dark brown leather sweatband is perforated along the front edge with five tiny rows of forty ventilation holes each, the ends of the sweatband sewn together at the rear via brown threading. The inside of the cap is lined in a dark gray rayon, with the dome brandishing a diamond-shaped celluloid moisture shield, unmarked on the shield, with an embroidered name tag inserted into its slot, inscribed in black "Franz Weigl". The cap measures 240 mm x 270 mm x 130 mm in height overall, exhibiting scattered wear on the black paint on the cockade, very light crazing in the vulcanfibre on the visor and is free of mothing. Extremely fine. A Soldbuch, measuring 100x146mm, extremely fine condition with some creasing of the cover. It contains a business card, measuring 100x60mm, near mint condition.The Soldbuch is dated to February 13, 1945. It is signed in pencil by a Captain and Company Leader of the Staff Company of Paratroop Panzer Grenadier Regiment 4 “Hermann Göring”, the name could be Klaiß or Kleiß. It is a Zweitschrift (second copy), meaning the original one was lost or destroyed and had to be replaced. Footnote:Franz Weigl was born on May 22, 1913 in Michelstadt on the river Oder (the modern day border river between Germany and Poland). He went to school from 1919 to 1927, then learned to become a baker, successfully ending his apprenticeship in April of 1930. Between September of 1935 and October of 1936, Weigl was in the German Labour Front, and at the same time, from December 1935 to July 1936, in the NSKK, preparing him for his later deployment. On October 1, 1936 he joined the Wehrmacht and was placed in the Regiment “General Göring” as a Kraftfahrer (driver). By 1938, Weigl was an NCO and Fahrlehrer (driving instructor). He was awarded the Anschluss Medal on March 13, 1938, and the Sudetenland Medal on October 1, 1938, seeing as the Regiment “Hermann Göring” was instrumental in both the annexation of Austria and the Sudetenland. Weigl received his promotion to Feldwebel (Sergeant) in 1941, and became Oberfeldwebel (Staff Sergeant) in 1942. He also completed training to be a Schirrmeister (Mainenance Sergeant) and eventually became a Hilfswehrmachtskraftfahrsachverständiger (Auxiliary Wehrmacht Motorist Expert). In the course of this, Weigl was awarded the Goldkordel zum Ärmeltätigkeitsabzeichen des Kraftfahrpersonals der Luftwaffe (Golden Cord to the Sleeve Career Insignia of the Motor Personnel of the Luftwaffe) on May 26, 1942. On January 30, 1943, he received the War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords. After being trained in the Paratroop Replacement and Training Brigade “Hermann Göring”, Weigl was redeployed to the Staff Company of Paratroop Panzer Grenadier Regiment 4 “Hermann Göring” on June 19, 1943. On August 30, 1944 he received the Kraftfahrbewährungsabzeichen (Driver’s Proficiency Badge) in Silver, and the Gold version on December 13 of the same year. (C:100)