Germany, Heer. A Flak/Artillery Enlisted Personnel Tropical Field Blouse
(Heer Tropen Feldbluse). A Heer Flak/Artillery Enlisted tropical field blouse, constructed of olive-drab cotton twill. It features a low collar flanked on each side by tabs constructed of a silver-grey cotton twill, bisected by a central machine-embroidered olive-drab band, flanked on each side by smaller bands of identical appearance. Each tab measures 30 mm (w) x 65 mm (l). Each shoulder has an integrated loop set into the outer edge, with a pebbled magnetic metal button stitched onto the inner edge. The former retain straps constructed of olive-drab cotton twill, trimmed with red piping, and featuring a reverse strap which secures it to the tunic. The straps both measure 50 mm (w) x 110 mm (l). The cuff of each sleeve has a vertical slit which closes with a pressed card stock button meeting a single reinforced buttonhole. Two non-pleated pockets are set into each breast, all closing with horizontal flaps and reinforced buttonholes meeting pebbled magnetic metal buttons. Stitched onto the blouse just above the upper left pocket is an insignia consisting of a khaki-tan rayon base bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika. It closes with five pebbled magnetic metal buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. All buttons on the tunic are maker marked on the reverse “P.J.S. T”, indicating no postwar replacements. The interior features a single pocket, located at the lower right breast flap and closing with a single pressed card stock button. Two sets of three vertically-arranged reinforced eyelets are perforated into the lower back, meeting analogous grey cotton twill straps, for the accommodation of an optional belt hanger. Stamped onto the right breast flap in black ink is a Reichsbetriebsnummer of “0/0864/0004” for an unidentified manufacturer, set just above a size chart and manufacture date of “M44”. The blouse measures approximately 450 mm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 605 mm, and an overall body length of 740 mm. With only minor, age-appropriate material fatigue and soiling evident, this tropical tunic is in an overall near extremely fine condition.

