Original Item: Only One Available. This very nice Pre WWII German Luftwaffe Mannschaften (Enlisted Man's) Four Pocket Fliegerbluse (Flyer's Blouse) Service Tunic is in lovely condition. This great piece is produced in blue grey wool and shows just a bit of overall age toning, with no major fading, staining, or other wear. The tunic features a five button front closure with a hook and loop closure at the color, and it has four squared pleated pockets with square button-down flaps. All buttons are silver finished pebbled aluminum and marked EXTRA FEIN on the reverse. It has a white / silver thread embroidered EM/NCO Luftwaffe Eagle sewn on the top of the right breast pocket, which is correctly sewn to the outer layer of fabric, and in great shape.

The interior of the tunic is lined with gray light cotton canvas, which shows light age toning and wear. The left inside liner has a complete maker stamp, which gives the sizes of the  tunic, as well as the depot information:

KANUS & LILIE
BRESLAU

41        43
92
70        62
LBA 38

"LBA" stands for Luftwaffebekleidungsamt, which means Air Force Clothing Office. This would indicate it was processed through there during 1938. Most EM/NCO tunics were processed through the Luftwaffe clothing depots, while officers usually wore privately purchased tunics. There is no letter after the LBA marking, so we do not know which specific depot it was issued through.

The collar piping and attached Kragenpatten (Collar Flaps) are in Tiefrot (Deep Red), the correct Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for Luftwaffe Flak Anti-aircraft troops and other Artillery. The Schulterklappen (Shoulder Straps or Epaulettes) have the same color piping, correct simple style for an enlisted man, and both have a red 3 chain stitch embroidered on them. This should indicate that the wearer was a part of Luftwaffe Flak-Regiment 3, which was formed several times during the war. There is a single "gull wing" insignia on the Collar Flaps, indicating the lowest artillery enlisted rank of Kanonier (Gunner), equivalent to a Flieger (Airman), in other branches. There are no chevrons on the sleeve, confirming the rank.

There is a very nice second pattern Flakartillerie Tätigkeitsabzeichen (Flak Artillery Personnel Trade Badge) sewn to the left sleeve just above the cuff. The oval badge shows a 88mm flak gun barrel flanked by stylized wings, superimposed on an opened top, oak-leaf wreath with a canted swas (hook cross) to the bottom center, all in silvery/grey rayon threads. The first pattern design was much simpler, a round badge with just the flak barrel. It indicates that the wearer was a flak anti-aircraft artillery soldier.

The uniform also has a very nice three award medal bar over the left breast pocket. It has ribbons for a War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords (KvK II), a Luftwaffe 4th Class (4 Years) Long Service Award, and a Legion Condor Medal with Swords. It looks like the owner of this tunic definitely saw a good amount of service during the pre-war years, and probably afterwards. There are also two thread loops on the pocket itself, for the attachment of another award.

Overall condition is really great on this tunic, and it would be very hard to improve upon. The collar and bottoms of the sleeves, usually the first places to show wear, are in fine condition, and all buttons and even the aluminum belt hooks are still present.

A great chance to pick up a great condition Luftwaffe Flak Artillery Kanonier's tunic with a very nice medal bar. This would display great as is, or could be dressed up with some medals on the left side.

Approximate Measurements:-
Collar to shoulder: 10"
Shoulder to sleeve: 26”
Shoulder to shoulder: 13.5"
Chest width: 17.5”
Waist: 17.5"
Hip width: 20"
Front length: 30.5"

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.