Original Item: Only One Available. The NSDAP or Nationalsozialistische Deutsche ArbeiterPartei, (National Socialist German Worker’s Party), was originally founded in Munich as the DAP, Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, (German Worker’s Party), on January 5TH 1919. When Adolf AH joined the DAP in the autumn of 1919 he was to reform what was basically a debating society into an active political party. Appointed as the first chairman of the party on July 29TH 1921, AH was to restructure it along para-military lines in a hierarchy.

This new NSDAP structure consisted of four ascending levels of government: the Ortsgruppenleitung (Local group leadership), the Kreisleitung (District leadership), the Gauleitung (Regional District leadership), and the Reichsleitung (National leadership). Each group was distinguished by a specific color of piping on the collar tabs and visor cap, and these would change several times during the existence of the organization. From 1933 to 1935 in this scheme, tan was for the Ortsgruppe level, dark brown for Kreis level, burgundy red for Gau level, and pink for the Reich level. From 1936 to 1939 a different system was used, where light blue was for the Ortsgruppe level, black for Kreis level, burgundy red for Gau level, and gold yellow for the Reich level. After that the Kreis level changed to white piping.

During this time the style of insignia used changed, and many positions were created as well, which were then later deprecated or subdivided, which can make it somewhat difficult to identify the exact position indicated by the rank insignia. Fading to the fabric also makes things more complicated.

Stellenleiter (Department leader) was an NSDAP political rank which existed between 1936 and 1939. The rank was created as a mid-level political position intended to replace the older rank of Zellenwart ("cell guard"), also known as Zellenleiter. In the early NSDAP rank organization, the position of stellenleiter was senior to Mitarbeiter and junior to Amtsleiter. At the Orts, Kreis, and Gau level, they had Stellenleiter and Hauptstellenleiter ranks, while at the Reichs level, there was the additional rank of Hilfsstellenleiter (Assistant Department Leader). The rank of stellenleiter was phased out of the NSDAP in 1939, replaced by a new series of para-military political ranks.

This is a lovely NSDAP Ortsgruppenleitung Stellenleiter (Local Group Leadership Department Leader) Political Leader's Uniform Dienstrock Service Tunic, complete with the correct breeches, belt with cross strap, and boots. The tunic and breeches are the correct "camel brown" color, which had become the official color of the N.S.D.A.P. and S.A. by circumstance rather than design. A large stockpile of discounted, surplus WWI tropical brown shirts and fabric, intended for wear in East Africa, were located in Austria in 1924 and purchased by the NSDAP as a temporary measure to bring uniformity of dress to their party members. In November of 1926 the brown shirt was officially introduced, and retained, as the basic uniform item for the N.S.D.A.P. and S.A., and was eventually adopted by other political organizations such as the H.J., D.A.F., and the N.S.K.K..

Ther tunic bears 1933-1938 Pattern Kragenspiegelen (Collar tabs), which are brown with light blue piping for the Ortsgruppe level of the NSDAP. Each features one silver flatwire L-shaped Litzenspiegel device, which indicate the rank of Stellenleiter. These are very early pattern insignia, and show a lovely tarnished patina on the wire. It also features light blue piping around the collar for the local level.

The front of the jacket features four pockets, with the upper two pleated with scalloped flaps, and the lower two flat with squared flaps. All of the gold colored Reichsadler buttons are present: four for closing the garment, and one each for the four front pockets. All look to be RZM code marked on the back, and are in lovely condition. There are also two pebbled hooks at the top of the rear uniform vent for holding a belt in place. The uniform tunic is fully lined with gold colored rayon twill bearing a large 52 stamp, with blue-striped white rayon lining the sleeves.

The inner left breast pocket still bears its original fabric RZM tag, which is is in very good condition, showing some wear from service. The tag identifies the tunic as a DIENSTROCK W / für Politische Leiter (Service Tunic for Political Leaders) and features the ((RZM)) logo as well as the ink stamped numerical designation of the Hersteller (manufacturer) A4 / 261366 over lot A № 174906. The tunic is really in good shape, showing wear from use in service, but no major damage. The left sleeve has an excellent early pattern SA / NSDAP wool and rayon multi-piece Ärmelbinde (Armband) present, tack stitched in multiple locations, several of which have pulled out. It shows light mothing and age toning, and matches the condition of the tunic perfectly.

The included matching camel brown "whipcord weave" twill wool breeches do not have any tags or maker markings on the interior that we can see, so we assume that they are bespoke. They bear a fly closure with six buttons, five of which are "hidden", with only the top button visible. There is also a securing flap on the interior with an additional button, and we do not see any way to adjust the size. Two diagonal front pockets with buttoned flaps are present and there is a horizontal slash pocket on the rear right seat. There are also seven buttons closing the tapered ankles of each pant leg so they fit inside boots. The breeches are in very good condition, showing wear from age and use, but no major damage.

The belt with this set is a an "open claw" type as used by military officers, and is made from 50mm brown finished leather. It has a "Sam Browne" style cross strap included, with has a sliding bar type buckle towards one end. The belt is adjustable from about  38 1/2" to 32 1/2", and the hardware is in great shape, with a lovely patina. The black leather riding style boots are still quite supple, with pull strap loops inside at the top of the shaft. We do not see any markings inside or on the soles, and they are 15 1/2" tall, with soles measuring 11 3/4" long.

A fantastic NSDAP uniform set offering that shows the great lengths that members of the NSDAP went to exert their own self-importance via ornate uniforms. Ready to research and display!

Approximate Measurements:-
Collar to shoulder: 9.5"
Shoulder to sleeve: 25”
Shoulder to shoulder: 16"
Chest width: 20”
Waist: 18"
Hip: 21"
Front length: 32"

Pants:
Waist: 25"
Inseam: 24.5"