Germany, Heer. An Infanterie-Regiment 16 Hauptmann’s Dress Tunic, Owner-Attributed, by Hermann Hegeler

(Heer Parade-Waffenrock für Hauptmann). A well-preserved Heer dress tunic issued to a Hauptmann of Infanterie-Regiment 16, constructed of field-grey wool. It features a turned-down collar which is trimmed with white piping and fully lined on the obverse with a layer of smooth dark green wool. The collar is flanked by tabs constructed of white wool with buckram cores and topped by dual machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire insignia, each measuring 45 mm (w) x 75 mm (l) overall. The shoulders are flanked by boards constructed of grey wool, topped by white wool, in turn overlaid by four bands of silvered aluminum wire piping pinned with two gilded rank pips and numerals “16”. Each measuring 40 mm (w) x 110 mm (l), the boards are secured in place with machine stitching at the outer edge and with pebbled non-magnetic metal buttons on the inner edge. The cuffs are topped by layers of smooth green wool which is trimmed along the edges with white piping, and which are topped by dual insignia consisting of white wool bases overlaid by machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire insignia with pebbled magnetic metal buttons. Stitched onto the upper right breast is an insignia consisting of a dark green wool backer bearing a hand-embroidered silver aluminum wire Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, with featuring highlighted in green threading and measuring 100 mm (w) x 42 mm (h) overall. Stitched onto the upper left breast are five horizontally-arranged loops for the accommodation of a medal or ribbon bar, while two additional vertically-arranged loops directly below permit the addition of a decoration with a vertical pinback. A vertical slit set into the lower back is flanked on each side by scalloped flaps, both of which are trimmed with white piping and topped by pebbled magnetic metal buttons and belt hooks. The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece slate-grey rayon liner which transitions into a pinstripe design through the arms. A pocket is set into the upper left breast, opening to reveal an intact manufacturer’s label marked “HERM. HEGELER, OLDENBURG”, with a handwritten date of “17. 10. 38” and owner’s name of “OBERLT. D. R. WESSELS”. Two rayon straps emanate from the waistband, with one side retaining a magnetic metal clip. The tunic measures approximately 49 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 61 cm, and an overall body length of 73 cm. Some issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include minor soiling and fatigue soiling of the interior liner with some tearing of the seams, and the loss of the buckle of the interior belt. This unaltered, owner- and unit attributed example remains in a better than very fine condition.