Germany, Ordnungspolizei. A Schutzmannschaft NCO’s Service Tunic, POL. KOMP. 5, ROWNO, by M. Kochl

(Schutzmannschaft Dienstrock). A rare Schutzmannschaft (Schuma) NCO’s tunic, constructed of police blue-green wool. It features a turned-down collar which is topped by a layer of dark brown wool and trimmed along the edge with light green piping. The collar is flanked by tabs, each constructed of black wool with buckram cores, trimmed with light green piping, and bearing two L-shaped silver aluminum wire tresses. Measuring 40 mm (w) x 55 mm (l), the tabs indicate a rank of Vizefeldwebel. The shoulders are flanked by straps constructed of black wool, trimmed with light green piping, and affixed with a loop constructed of three lengths of silver aluminum wire tresse. Each measuring 45 mm (w) x 105 mm (l), the straps are secured in place with stitching at the outer edge and with a pebbled aluminum button on the inner edge. The cuff of each sleeve is topped by a layer of dark brown wool, trimmed along the upper edge with light green piping and fastened with two pebbled aluminum buttons. Stitched onto the upper left arm is an insignia consisting of a black rayon base, bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey laurel leaf wreath, in turn surrounding a mobile swastika circumscribed by an inscription of “TREU, TAPFER, GEHORSAM” (“LOYALTY, BRAVERY, STEADFAST”), measuring 80 mm (w) x 85 mm (h). The left sleeve features an additional insignia just above the cuff, consisting of a shield executed in yellow and blue Ukrainian national colours, measuring 40 cm (w) x 60 mm (h). The breasts feature four pleated pockets, all closing with scalloped flaps perforated with reinforced buttonholes meeting pebbled aluminum buttons. The upper left pocket has two sets of vertical threads for the addition of awards with vertical pinbacks. It closes with an arrangement of eight pebbled aluminum buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. The penultimate buttonhole is stitched with a 1939 Iron Cross II Class ribbon. A slight set into the lower edge of the back is flanked by green-piped flaps and fastened with aluminum buttons and belt hooks. The interior is fully encompassed by a field-grey cotton twill liner, transitioning into a pinstripe design through the arms. Stamped onto the upper right breast is a double maker’s mark of “M. KOCHL, SALZBURG”, overlaying a previous illegible mark, complete with size dimensions. The lower half of the flap bears a stamped unit mark of “POL. KOMP. 5, ROWNO”, for a Schutzmannschaft Polizei unit based for part of the war in the Rownó area. The left flap has a single breast pocket and additional opening set into the lower half for the accommodation of a dagger, surrounding a stamped mark of “PO 1941”. It measures approximately 43 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 62 cm, and an overall body length of 74 cm. Issues consistent with age and field wear are evident, and include material fatigue through the exterior wool, including possible rodent or moth nips to the right cuff, the detachment of the penultimate button which is consequently secured to the corresponding buttonhole with a ring, with minor soiling of the interior. A scarce tunic belonging to a member of an infamous collaborator unit in an overall very fine condition.