United Kingdom. A Second War British Lieutenant Service Tunic

A Second War British Lieutenant Service Tunic constructed from a khaki cotton-blended fabric. The interior of the collar bears two metal clasps meeting an equal number of hooks, allowing for a flush fit with the wearer’s neck. The breasts of the tunic close by five reinforced button holes meeting an equal number of non-magnetic gilded bronze buttons. The bottom two buttons have been replaced. Five different makers manufactured the buttons down the breast seam: Morton & Crowder Ltd Birmingham, Cheney B.Ham, Buttons Limited Birmingham, J.R. Gaunt & Son Ltd. London Eng, and H. Allday Birmingham. The breasts of the tunic each bear two pleated, flap pockets opening with a reinforced buttonhole meeting a non-magnetic bronze button made by Sydney Griffith Birmingham. Two rank pips, indicating the rank of Lieutenant, constructed from gilded bronze and coloured enamel sit on each shoulder strap, measuring approximately 25 mm in diameter. The shoulder straps meet a gilded bronze button with a reinforced buttonhole. The interior of the tunic is unlined and each interior hip features a narrow pocket. The numbers “5 2 4 5 6” are stamped on the inside right breast. In addition, the hand-written numbers “5.2.4 56 34” are spaced between the stamped digits. The owner’s name is printed around the interior collar, reading “ S. R. VELLENDER.” On the underside of the right arm is a period repair performed in grey thread. The tunic measures approximately 380 mm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 510 mm and a total body length of 640 mm. The tunic has some spots of soiling and is in a better than very fine condition.