Germany, Reichsbahn. An Officer’s Service Tunic, Brussels Directorate

(Dienstrock für Offizier der Reichsbahn). An extremely well-preserved Reichsbahn Officer’s service tunic, constructed of a smooth dark blue wool twill. It features a low-set collar transitioning into double breast flaps, with the former flanked on each side by tabs. Both constructed of black doeskin wool bases, the tabs are trimmed with gold bullion wire piping, and pinned with zink alloy insignia. Each tab measures 48 mm (w) x 66 mm (h). The shoulders are adorned with boards constructed of cardboard-reinforced wool bases, bearing four bands of gold bullion wire piping interspersed with dark blue threaded chevrons. Each board is pinned with a gilded bronze rank pip, is secured in place with machine stitching at the outer edge and with gilded magnetic metal buttons on the inner edge, and measure 25 mm (w) x 105 mm (l). Stitched onto the upper left arm is an insignia consisting of a black rayon base bearing a machine-embroidered German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, set above an inscription of “WVD BRÜSSEL” for Wehrmachtsverkehrsdirektion (Wehrmacht Traffic Directorate) Brussels. It measures 80 mm (w) x 60 mm (h) overall. Each breast flap features two pockets, all opening with scalloped horizontal flaps with reinforced buttonholes meeting gilded magnetic metal buttons. Five horizontally-arranged threaded loops are set above the upper left pocket, with two vertically-arranged threaded loops overlaying the pocket itself, for the accommodation or a ribbon bar and decoration with vertical pinback, respectively. The tunic closes with four gilded magnetic metal buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. All buttons on the tunic are maker marked on the reverse with the logo of Overhoff & Cie, Lüdenscheid, indicating no replacements. The interior is fully encompassed by a black rayon liner, plain with the exception of dual breast pockets. Unmarked, the tunic measures approximately . While extremely well-preserved, minor issues consistent with age are evident, and includes some mothing to the right shoulder board, as well as loss of finish to some of the insignia. It is in an overall extremely fine condition.