Germany, Heer. A Smoke/Chemical Troops Oberfeldwebel Field Tunic, Dutch Manufacture

(Heer Waffenrock für Oberfeldwebel der Nebeltruppe). A rare Dutch-manufactured Smoke/Chemical Troops Oberfeldwebel field tunic, constructed of a light green cotton blend. It features a collar constructed of dark green wool and trimmed along the exterior edge with a machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire tresse. The collar is flanked on each side by tabs constructed of field-grey wool bases, both overlaid by dual silver-grey machine-embroidered insignia, all bisected by Bordeaux-red piping. Each tab measures 35 mm (w) x 70 mm (l). Adorning the shoulder are straps constructed of dark green wool with field-grey wool bases, trimmed with Bordeaux-red piping, bordered by silver aluminum wire tresses, and pinned with two aluminum rank pips and numerals “70”. Each measuring 45 mm (w) x 100 mm (l), the straps are secured in place with an integral strap emanating from the outer edge of the tunic, and by a pebbled zink button on the inner edge. Two pockets are set into each breast flap, all opening with pebbled zink buttons meeting stylized horizontal flaps. Stitched onto the tunic above the upper right pocket is an insignia consisting of a dark green rayon base bearing a machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika. The eagle insignia measures 110 mm (w) x 50 mm (h) overall. The upper left pocket also features two vertically-arranged black threaded loops for the accommodation of a decoration with a vertical pinback. The tunis closes with five pebbled zink buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. Looped through the second button is a 1939 Iron Cross II Class ribbon, secured in place at each end with hand stitching. Stamped onto the interior of the right breast flap is a black ink maker’s mark of “FIRMA W.D.G. HINZ, AMSTERDAM”, along with a code of “A41” indicating manufacture in Amsterdam in 1941. Above the maker’s mark are size dimensions of “43, 96, 43, 73, 65”. The interior otherwise presents plain. The tunic measures approximately . Issues consistent with age and field use are evident, and include material fatigue and mothing of the collar, hand-stitched repairs to high-fatigue points (particularly evident to the armpits), and moderate soiling throughout. This rare Dutch-manufactured tunic is in an overall better than very fine condition.