{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-luftwaffe-medium-grade-special-official-fliegerbluse-uniform-tunic-with-ribbon-bar-and-sports-badge-dated-1940","title":"Original German WWII Luftwaffe Medium Grade Special Official Fliegerbluse Uniform Tunic with Ribbon Bar and Sports Badge - Dated 1940","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. The \u003cem\u003eSonderführer\u003c\/em\u003e (\"special leader\"), or \u003cem\u003eSonderführer mit militärischer Kommandobefugnis\u003c\/em\u003e, (\"special leader with military command power\"), often abbreviated Sdf or Sf, was a specialist role introduced in the Wehrmacht of Germany in 1937 for the mobilization plan of the German armed forces. This allowed the the competence of civil experts and specialists to be exploited for military purposes. Certain assignments could be filled, from senior officers, company-grade officers, down to non-commissioned officer (NCO) ranks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA huge variation of service functions, e.g. in foreign languages, propaganda work, medical service, veterinary service and the like, was possible. Typically, the men were not trained as soldiers. They received the pay applicable to the position they were holding, but only by virtue of their temporary appointment. As a rule, Sonderführer were not allowed to execute the command and disciplinary powers vested in the rank. However, this was changed in 1942, during World War II.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a very nice German WWII Luftwaffe Medium Grade \u003cem\u003eSonderführer \u003c\/em\u003eAdministrative Official Four Pocket \u003cem\u003eFliegerbluse\u003c\/em\u003e (Flight Blouse) Service Tunic, made from lovely Luftwaffe \u003cem\u003eFliegerblau\u003c\/em\u003e (Flyer's Blue) Blue Gray worsted 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 magnetic, most likely from steel and aluminum. They all have maker markings on the back, and are stitched directly to the uniform fabric.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePer a note card in the left breast pocket, the tunic is for a \u003cem\u003eKriegsdienstbeamten\u003c\/em\u003e (War Time Official) of the Senior NCO grade. \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"These were former enlisted men who had technical certificates from schools in needed skills such as aircraft and engine mechanics. More pay but only for duration of the war, after which they would revert to their former status. Rank was only around a short time, thus a rare tunic. This got found in aircraft hanger in 1945. Untouched since then.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interior of the tunic is lined with blue gray light cotton canvas around the body and in the sleeves. There is a left inner chest slash pockets, with no other pockets or islets on the interior. We can see faint markings on the interior both above and below the pocket. Above are the size markings and possibly a maker marking at the very top, but the most legible stamp is \u003cstrong\u003eL.B.A. (S) 38\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e. This indicates it was inspected at the \u003cem\u003eLuftwaffebekleidungsamt\u003c\/em\u003e (Air Force Clothing Office) in Sonneberg, Germany in 1938. This marking is only seen on pre and early war Luftwaffe items. Below the pocket there are two rectangular stamps, both of which have \u003cstrong\u003eRegensberg\u003c\/strong\u003e on the bottom line. The top line on the upper marking begins with \"\u003cstrong\u003eFlg.\u003c\/strong\u003e\", while the bottom has a top line reading \u003cstrong\u003eLn. Komp.\u003c\/strong\u003e There also is a \u003cstrong\u003e1939\u003c\/strong\u003e date underneath. With this information there is definitely some great research potential in this tunic.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe right breast is adorned with a very  attractive Luftwaffe breast eagle, which is the correct EM\/NCO embroidered type, and is very neatly hand stitched to the chest in a fashion typical of wartime German tailor work. This is a very lovely variant, without any damage to the stitching, and it shows just a bit of age toning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe attached \u003cem\u003eKragenpatten\u003c\/em\u003e (Collar Flaps) are a dark green color, the correct Administration \u003cem\u003eWaffenfarbe\u003c\/em\u003e (Corps Color) for Administrative and Specialist civilian special leaders. The color of the green seems to have varied from steel green to forest green, and these are more of a steel green color. There is a white embroidered oak leaf at the bottom of the tabs, which indicates a \"company grade\" rank official, equivalent to an Oberfeldwebel or Leutant depending on the shoulder insignia. There are no \"gull wings\" or other devices, as the career level was instead indicated by the piping around the tab. The silver and blue twisted piping border indicates the \"Medium\" career level, which meant a High School Diploma and an apprenticeship of a trade was required. This color piping was used until 1940, when it was changed to green and silver. The sew-in style\u003cem\u003e schulterklappen\u003c\/em\u003e (shoulder straps) of this tunic are constructed of braided dark green cord with a 1mm center aluminum stripe, and have 2 aluminum embroidered sliders for the cord. This is the cord used for a senior NCO level official in the Medium career level, equivalent to an Oberfeldwebel. Officer level officials would use silver cords with yellow sliders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe uniform also has a very nice two award medal bar on the left chest, which has ribbons for the the Eastern Front Medal and the 1 October 1938 Commemorative Sudetenland and Czech Conquest Medal. Below this on the left pocket is a Bronze Grade SA Defense Team Sports Training Badge by Ernst Schneider of Lüdenscheid. It is marked on the back with issue number \u003cstrong\u003e462850\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall condition is very good, showing light to moderate wear during the war. There is some wear to the fuzzy \"nap\" of the fabric, and there are also a few scattered moth holes, an unfortunately reality of wool uniforms from WWII. They do not majorly detract from the tunic, though we definitely recommend that the future owner store it in a location properly secured against clothing moths. There are no major tears, repairs, or other major condition issues that we can see. Just a nice honest used tunic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very nice Luftwaffe Medium Grade Administrative Official's Tunic, the first that we have had the opportunity to offer! Ready to outfit with some awards and display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate Measurements:-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCollar to shoulder: 10.5\"\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to sleeve: 23”\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to shoulder: 15.5\"\u003cbr\u003eChest width: 19.5”\u003cbr\u003eWaist: 17.5\"\u003cbr\u003eHip: 21\"\u003cbr\u003eFront length: 27\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Luftwaffe,\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44859944992837,"sku":"ONJR26MAHG043","price":1395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/052C36C4-D274-4455-8B43-D4EF1CCF8B45.jpg?v=1775842767","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-luftwaffe-medium-grade-special-official-fliegerbluse-uniform-tunic-with-ribbon-bar-and-sports-badge-dated-1940","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}