Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive original German WWII Luftwaffe Offiziersränge (Officer Ranks) four pocket Tuchrock service tunic displaying the rank and branch insignia of a Leutnant in the Luftnachrichtentruppe, or Air Signals branch. Constructed from fine Luftwaffe Fliegerblau blue gray wool in a pronounced whipcord weave, the tunic retains its brown Signals collar tabs, matching officer shoulder boards, hand embroidered silver bullion breast eagle, dagger suspension arrangement, and surviving loops for decorations. Its honest service wear and well preserved insignia give it excellent character as a complete Luftwaffe junior officer uniform piece.

The tunic features a four button front closure with a lay-down collar, and it has four squared pleated pockets with square button-down flaps. These are all secured by pebbled buttons, most of which are non-magnetic and maker marked on the back. They are all sewn directly to the fabric, and we can tell that one has been replaced, and the top button is secured by a large safety pin due to the stitching pulling out.

The interior of the tunic is lined with blue gray rayon around the body, with striped white rayon in the sleeves, as is standard. There is a horizontal slash pocket on the inner left chest, and there is a hanger strap for a dagger, which matches up with the large eyelet that exits through the left waist pocket. There is also an internal non-adjustable belt to give it a more secure fit. We do not see any markings at all, and officers were usually responsible for procuring their own uniforms, so it was most likely bespoke from a tailor.

It is adorned with the usual rank and branch insignia used on German tunics. The right breast of the uniform has a very desirable hand embroidered silver bullion Luftwaffe eagle, which is very neatly sewn in place with the correct stitching pattern in a fashion typical of wartime German tailor work. It is only stitched to the outer layer of fabric, so it is the original eagle installed on this uniform tunic, and it really looks great, showing very little wear.

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 Braun (Saddle Brown), the correct Luftwaffe Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for the Air communications corps (Luftnachrichtentruppe), usually referred to as "Signals". The sew-in style company grade Offizier schulterklappen (Officer shoulder boards) of this tunic are constructed with two rows of fine silver flatware "Russia Braid" double piping around the edge. There are no rank "pips" added, indicating the rank of Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant). This is confirmed by the embroidered collar insignia, which each show one "gull wing" insignia over a wreath.

There are three thread loops above the left breast pocket for mounting a medal ribbon bar. Two additional thread loops are present on the pocket itself for a badge or decoration that is no longer present. These surviving loops add visual interest and show that the tunic was once worn with additional awards.

Overall condition is very good, showing light to moderate service wear. The exterior retains strong color, with only a few small moth nips and minor holes visible. We do not see any major tears, substantial repairs, or other significant structural damage.

The interior lining shows more evidence of wear, including noticeable fading and staining around the neck area. There is also rust staining from prolonged contact with a metal hanger at some point in the past. These condition issues are visible but are entirely consistent with an honestly worn and stored wartime officer tunic.

For the Luftwaffe uniform collector, this is a particularly appealing Signals officer example with a strong combination of features: brown Luftnachrichtentruppe branch insignia, matching Leutnant rank on both collar tabs and shoulder boards, a handsome hand embroidered bullion breast eagle, dagger suspension hardware, surviving award loops, and attractive blue gray whipcord wool construction. Its honest wear and complete officer insignia make it an excellent display piece for a Luftwaffe Signals, communications, junior officer, or advanced German WWII uniform collection.

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 10"
Shoulder to sleeve: 26.5"
Shoulder to shoulder: 19"
Chest width: 20"
Waist: 18"
Hip: 21"
Front length: 29"

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.