Germany, Luftwaffe. A Flight Personnel Oberstleutnant’s Service Tunic, by Assmann

(Luftwaffe Dienstrock für Oberstleutnant). An extremely well-preserved Luftwaffe Flight Personnel service tunic for a decorated Oberstleutnant, constructed of a dark grey wool cloth with a gentle whipcord weave. It features a turned-down collar which transitions into double breast lapels, fully trimmed with twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire piping. The collar is flanked by tabs constructed of golden-yellow wool with buckram cores, trimmed with twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire piping, and bearing two silver aluminum wire gulls situated within oval oak leaf wreaths of identical construction. Each tab measures 45 mm (w) x 55 mm (l). The shoulders are flanked by boards constructed of golden-yellow wool with card stock cores, each topped by bands of interwoven silver aluminum wire piping and pinned with a single pip. Measuring 40 mm (w) x 105 mm (l), the boards are secured in place with machine stitching at the outer edges and with pebbled aluminum buttons on the inner edges. Each cuff is rolled up to a depth of 14 cm and secured in place with two pieces of heavy stitching. Four pleated pockets are set into the breasts, all closing with horizontal flaps perforated with reinforced buttonholes, in turn meeting pebbled aluminum buttons. Stitched into place above the upper right pocket is an insignia consisting of a dark grey wool backer bearing a silver aluminum wire Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, measuring 100 mm (w) x 45 mm (h). Two threaded loops are set into the tunic just below the same pocket for the accommodation of an award with a vertical pinback (most likely a Spanish Cross or German Cross). Five additional sets of dual loops are distributed across the upper left pocket, while horizontal loops arranged above the same pocket accommodate a ribbon bar. The interior is fully encompassed by a dark slate-grey rayon liner which transitions into a pinstripe design through the arms. A single pocket is set into the upper left breast, with an additional reinforced slit set into the lower half for the accommodation of a dagger hanger, facilitated by an integral strap which descends from the appropriate armpit. Stitched over the upper pocket is a maker’s label reading “G. ASSMANN, HALLE A. D. SAALE”, flanking the firm’s “SONDERKLASSE” trade name. The tunic measures approximately 47 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 56 cm, and an overall body length of 71 cm. Minor, sporadic material fatigue is visible to the wool base, with some additional fraying of the buttonholes, but this high-quality tailored example remains in an overall extremely fine condition.