Germany, SS. A Decorated SS-Totenkopfverbände Untersturmführer’s Service Tunic

(Waffenrock für Untersturmführer der SS-Totenkopfverbände). A rare and extremely well-preserved service tunic belonging to an Untersturmführer of the SS-Totenkopfverbände. It is constructed of field-grey wool, and features a collar constructed of smooth dark green wool. The collar is flanked on each side by tabs, each constructed of a buckram-reinforced black wool base and trimmed with twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire, measuring 40 mm (w) x 60 mm (l). The right insignia tab features a machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire Totenkopf, while the left rank tab is pinned with three silvered rank pips. Flanking the shoulders are boards secured in place with machine stitching at the outer edge and with pebbled zink buttons on the inner edge. Each board is constructed of a cardboard-reinforced black wool base and bears four bands of silver aluminum wire piping, trimmed with white piping along the outer edge. Stitched onto the upper left arm is an insignia consisting of a black rayon base overlaid by a machine-embroidered SS-style German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika. The eagle insignia measures 85 mm (w) x 40 mm (h). Each sleeve is rolled up to a depth of 155 mm, and is secured in place with machine stitching at both the front and back. Affixed to the left cuff is a title consisting of a black rayon base trimmed along both edges with machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire tresses. The centre of the title bears a 1938-1941 period Totenkopf insignia of identical construction. Each breast flap features two pockets, all opening with stylized horizontal flaps with reinforced buttonholes meeting pebbled magnetic metal buttons. The upper left pocket is overlaid by three sets of vertically-arranged loops accommodating awards with vertical pinbacks. The former are included, and consist of an Infantry Assault Badge, Silver Grade, constructed of silvered zink and unmarked, it measures 47.32 mm (w) x 62.58 mm (h), weighs 22.8 gram, and is in very fine condition; a 1939 Iron Cross I Class, constructed of iron and silver, it measures 44.60 mm (w) x 44.90 mm (h), weighs 18.4 grams, is unmarked but has the characteristics of manufacture by Rudolf Souval, and is in very fine condition, and; a DRL Sports Badge, Bronze Grade, constructed of bronze, it measures 38.78 mm (w) x 48.43 mm (h), weighs 17.8 grams, is marked marked “WERNSTEIN, JENA”, and is in an extremely fine condition. Above the same pocket are three horizontally-arranged loops securing in place a ribbon bar featuring four decorations, including a 1939 Iron Cross II Class, an Eastern Front Medal, an Anschluss Medal, and a Sudetenland Medal. The bar measures 60 mm in total length and features a zink core. The tunic closes with six pebbled magnetic metal buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. Looped through the second button is a ribbon for a War Merit Cross II Class, secured in place with stitching at each end. The interior features a complete grey rayon liner with a single pocket located at the upper left breast flap. An additional wool-reinforced slit on the left flap accommodates an optional dagger hanger. Completing the interior features are magnetic metal hooks on the right of the inside of the collar meeting loops of identical construction on the left. The tunic is fully unmarked and measures approximately 430 mm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 560 mm, and an overall body length of 660 mm. With only minor signs of material fatigue consistent with age and use, the tunic is in an overall extremely fine condition.