Germany, Luftwaffe. A 1st Fallschirm-Panzer Division “Hermann Göring” Unteroffizier’s Tunic, George Petersen Collection

(Waffenrock für Unteroffizier der Fallschirm-Panzer-Division 1. Hermann Göring). A rare and very well-preserved service tunic for an Unteroffizier of the elite 1st Fallschirm-Panzer Division “Hermann Göring”, constructed of heavy wool in a classic Luftwaffe blue-grey coloured motif. It features an integrated collar flanked on each side by tabs, both constructed of white wool with buckram cores, trimmed with rose-pink piping, and pinned with aluminum Panzer-style Totenkopf cyphers. Each tab measures 40 mm (w) x 60 mm (l). The shoulders are flanked on each side by straps, both constructed of dark grey wool, trimmed with rose-pink piping, and bordered by a silver aluminum wire tresse. The straps, measuring 40 mm (w) x 105 mm (l), are secured in place by a reverse strap which fits through an integrated loop on the outer edge of the tunic and by a grey-painted pebbled zink button on the inner edge. The right cuff bears a title constructed of blue wool, bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey inscription of “HERMANN GÖRING” and measuring 32 mm in width. It is secured in place by rows of machine stitching along both the top and bottom edges. A single insignia is located at the upper right breast flap and consists of a dark grey wool backer bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika. The eagle insignia measures 100 mm (w) x 45 mm (h). The breast flaps also bear pockets, with one located at the lower half of each, both of which open with horizontal flaps with reinforced buttonholes meeting grey-painted pebbled zink buttons. The tunic closes with five black bakelite buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap, with two additional buttons of identical construction on the interior of the flaps. The interior features a partial grey rayon multi-piece liner, with two integrated pockets located at the upper portion of each breast flap, and an additional small pocket set into the lower portion of the right flap. The upper left pocket is stamped with an illegible black ink maker’s code and size dimensions of “41, 42, 90, 63, 61”. Black ink stamps of “3268” are also set into the armpits. Each side of the lower back features a vertical arrangement of three reinforced eyelets for the accommodation of a belt hanger. The interior features complete with an integrated suspension loop set into the back of the collar, with an additional magnetic metal hook and clasp facilitating a flush fit with the wearer’s neck. It measures approximately 430 mm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 590 mm and an overall body length of 670 mm. While well-preserved, the tunic displays some issues consistent with age and field use, including material fatigue to the exterior wool and interior liner, as well as moderate soiling evident to the latter. It is in an overall near extremely fine condition.

Footnote: From the collection of George Petersen.