Germany, Heer. A Late-War Heer EM/NCO’s M44 Service Tunic

(Heer Feldbluse M44). An extremely well-preserved, late-war Heer EM/NCO’s service tunic, constructed of coarse olive-drab wool. It features a turned-down collar transitioning into double breast flaps, flanked on each side by tabs constructed of silver-grey rayon, bearing three field-grey Litzen. The tabs both measure 25 mm (w) x 62 mm (l) overall. Affixed to each shoulder is an integral wool strap and pebbled magnetic metal button for the accommodation of shoulder boards. The cuff of each sleeve has a vertical slit, closed with a single bakelite button meeting two reinforced buttonholes for an adjustable fit. Each breast flap features a single large pocket, both opening with reinforced rectangular flaps with reinforced buttonholes meeting pebbled magnetic metal buttons. Stitched onto the tunic just above the right pocket is an insignia consisting of a triangular field-grey rayon backer bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 100 mm (w) x 50 mm (h) overall. It closes with six pebbled magnetic metal buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. Affixed to the tunic through the second buttonhole is a 1939 Iron Cross II Class ribbon, secured in place with hand stitching at each end. Completing the exterior features are two reinforced eyelets set into the waistband for the accommodation of a belt hanger. The interior bears a partially field-grey rayon liner, which also comprises two breast pockets. Similarly emanating from the liner are two integral straps with four reinforced eyelets connecting to an optional belt hanger. Stamped onto the left side of the liner is a partially-legible Reichsbetriebsnummer of “9/0007/5507” for an unconfirmed manufacturer, a chart of size dimensions, and a manufacture date of “M45”. The tunic measures approximately 460 mm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 590 mm, and an overall body length of 570 mm. Issues consistent with limited wartime use are evident, and include some fatigue to the exterior wool (including sporadic small holes to the arms, with one large patch near the right cuff), minor oxidation of the buttons, and evidence of possible postwar reinforcement stitching to the breast buttonholes. This desirable, late-war tunic is in an overall near extremely fine condition.