Germany, Luftwaffe. A Luftwaffe Beamte (Administration) Meteorological Officer’s Uniform by C.A. Herpich

(Wehrmachtbeamte der Luftwaffe Oberkriegsverwaltungsrat Uniform). This is an extremely well preserved Luftwaffe Beamte (Administration) Meteorological officer’s uniform, consisting of a tunic and matching trousers constructed of a fine field-grey wool exterior. The collar, neatly trimmed from end-to-end with twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire piping, is flanked by tabs constructed of a dark green wool base trimmed with yellow threaded piping. Each tab bears an oval-shaped oak leaf wreath with a central pip, is constructed of machine-embroidered silver aluminum bullion wire, measures 45 mm (w) x 60 mm (l), and reflects a rank of Oberkriegsverwaltungsrat (equivalent to a Major). The shoulders are flanked by boards constructed of a cardboard-reinforced green wool base with a top layer of red wool, in turn bearing four rows of braided silver aluminum bullion wire wrapped around a pebbled magnetic metal button, similarly indicative of an Oberkriegsverwaltungsrat. The cuffs of each sleeve are rolled up to a depth of 150 mm and and securely held in place by two pieces of machine stitching. Stitched into the top of the front breast flap is an insignia in the form of a Luftwaffe-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, constructed of machine-embroidered silver aluminum bullion wire and measuring 90 mm (w) x 39 mm (h). The tunic has four breast pockets, with two on each side, each opening with a horizontal flap with a reinforced buttonhole meeting a pebbled, silvered zink button. The tunic is closed with four pebbled, silvered zink buttons on the right breast flap meeting an equal number on reinforced buttonholes on the left. All buttons on the tunic are stamped on the reverse with a maker’s mark of “Friedrich Linden, Lüdenscheid”. The interior has a complete dark grey rayon liner which transitions into a pinstripe design through the arms. There are two interior pockets, both on the upper breast flaps, with the left pocket bearing a manufacturer’s label clearly reading “C.A. Herpich Söhne, Berlin W. 8, Leipzigerstr. 9-11”, with purchaser’s name “Hauptmann (Captain) Keibel”, purchase date of “11/3/1942”, and inventory number “70752”. An ornate manufacturer’s label with identical maker information is similarly machine-stitched into the collar area. A reinforced horizontal slit is found at the lower left, extending into the corresponding exterior pocket, with a rayon dagger hanger and magnetic metal clip emanating from the corresponding armpit. The tunic measures approximately 465 mm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 610 mm and an overall body length of 751 mm. The tunic is free of evident faults and is in a near mint condition.

Accompanied by its period original trousers, featuring seven belt loops around the waistband, two vertically-arranged side pockets, and a single, small, horizontal pocket at the front of the right leg. Two horizontally-arranged rear pockets are opened with brown bakelite buttons meeting a reinforced buttonhole. The trousers are opened with seven multi-coloured bakelite buttons meeting equal arrangements of reinforced buttonholes. Two rayon ribbons with magnetic metal snap buttons are stitched into the interior of the waistband. The interior bears a partial dark grey rayon liner, while a handwritten inscription of “1440/1874”. The trousers are otherwise unmarked and measure approximately 420 mm across the waist, with a total length of 1098 mm. The trousers are free of evident faults and are in a extremely fine condition.