Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice German WWII Luftwaffe Flight Branch Offiziersränge (Officer Ranks) Officer's Four Pocket Fliegerbluse (Flight Blouse) Service Tunic, made from lovely Luftwaffe Fliegerblau (Flyer's Blue) Blue Gray "whipcord weave" wool. The fliegerbluse tunic features a four button front closure with a lay-down collar, and it has four squared pleated pockets with square button-down flaps. The pebbled buttons on the tunic are all non-magnetic, most likely made entirely of aluminum. They all have maker markings on the back, and are stitched directly to the uniform fabric.

The interior of the tunic is lined with dark blue brushed cotton around the body, with striped white rayon in the sleeves, as is standard. There are horizontal slash pockets on the inner chest on both sides, and there is a hanger strap for a dagger, which matches up with the large eyelet that exits through the left waist pocket.

The right breast of the uniform has a correct hand embroidered silver bullion Luftwaffe eagle sewn in place with the correct stitching pattern. It is only stitched to the outer layer of fabric, so it is the original eagle installed on this uniform tunic. The collar of this officer's tunic has a twisted bullion border, correct for a Luftwaffe officer's fliegerbluse. The attached Kragenpatten (Collar Flaps) are in Goldgelb (Gold-Yellow), the correct Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for Aviator troops such as pilots and ground personnel, as well as Fallschirmjäger (parachute troops). The Schulterklappen (Shoulder Boards or Epaulettes) have the same color bases, and have four rows of silver "Russia Braid" around the edge with two gold rank "Pips" added, indicating the rank of Hauptmann (Captain). This is confirmed by the collar insignia, which each show three "gull wing" insignia over an oak leaf wreath.

There are small eyelets on both breast pockets, as well as above and below the left breast pocket, which we believe are for the installation of multiple awards and a medal ribbon bar. Usually we would see thread loops, but in this case small slits were made in the fabric, which then had the edges reinforce to prevent fraying. Definitely an interesting variation we have not seen before! Overall condition is very good, showing only light wear, and the insignia showing light wear and age toning. There are no major tears, repairs, or other major condition issues that we can see. Just a nice honest used tunic.

The included matching breeches are made from a lighter gray whipcord fabric, closer to the "steingrau" stone gray we often see. They show top quality bespoke construction, and have a three button fly front closure, which has a metal hook and loop at the top, as well as an offset button for a strap from the left. There are no belt loops around the top, but there are adjustment straps on the sides, as well as buttons and tabs for the attachment of suspenders. There are two button-closed diagonal slash pockets on front, with a button closed rear flap pocket on the right side, and a small horizontal slash pocket next to the fly for a watch. The bottoms of the legs have 6 button closures to help fit them inside officer's boots. Overall condition of the breeches is excellent.

A very nice Luftwaffe Flight Branch Officer's Tunic with breeches, ready to outfit with some awards and display!

The Luftwaffe, the air force of the German military during the Third Reich, was established in 1935. Over the next 10 years, Luftwaffe troops wore a huge variety of uniforms. Enlisted men generally wore uniforms issued from military depots. Most enlisted soldiers had wool trousers and a short jacket with two internal lower pockets, called a Fliegerbluse, as well as a dressier 4-pocket tunic, the Tuchrock. Officers wore the same general uniform styles, but as officers had to supply their own uniforms, they usually wore tailor made versions. There were also myriad varieties of specialized uniforms worn by certain units or in specific situations, from the tuxedo-style “gala” formal wear uniform of the pre-war period, to the plain coveralls worn by crews of anti-aircraft cannons. There were work uniforms, tropical and summer uniforms, and camouflage clothing for airborne troops and other Luftwaffe soldiers in ground combat. Flight crews had their own specialized gear, including leather jackets and warm, electrically heated suits. Most but not all Luftwaffe uniform jackets bore the Luftwaffe emblem of a flying eagle holding a swas.