Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive German WWII NSDAP Ortsgruppe level Political Leader Dienstrock service tunic configured for the operational position of Betriebsblockobmann, complete with its original style operational armband and a service used Political Leader belt and buckle. The camel brown whipcord weave tunic retains its 1939 pattern light blue piped collar tabs, gold Political Leader buttons, Ortsgruppe operational armband with RZM tag and substantial original lining. The surviving combination of tunic, armband, and belt makes this a particularly complete example of an NSDAP local level political uniform.

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. From 1936 to 1939 in this scheme, 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.

This is a NSDAP Ortsgruppen Betriebsblockobmann (Local Group Block Operations Foreman) Political Leader's Uniform Dienstrock Service Tunic, which is in very good condition, and comes complete with a very nice service used political leader's belt. The camel brown wool "whipcord weave" twill tunic bears 1939-1945 Pattern Kragenspiegelen (Collar tabs) are piped in blue, with a gold Reichsadler eagle at the top, and no "pips" underneath, which indicates the NSDAP political rank of Politischer-Leiter Anwärter, or "Political Leader Candidate", and indicated that they were a Parteigenosse, or "Party Comrade". This is the lowest rank in the hierarchy, and correct for someone with the operational position of a block foreman.

The front of the jacket features a lay down collar with light blue piping around the perimeter. There four pockets, with the upper two pleated with scalloped flaps and the lower two flat with square 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 UE code marked on the back, indicating very early issue. The top of the rear vent has two belt hooks present, which have the appearance of buttons. There is another belt hook under the left arm, while the right side hook is missing, with only a hole remaining.

The uniform tunic is fully lined with gold colored rayon twill, with soft striped white cotton lining the sleeves. There is a horizontal slash pocket on the inner left chest, and there is also a small repair below this. There is some overall staining and a few areas of fraying and wear to the fabric, but no major damage such as large tears. We can see some thread loops on the left chest pocket, as well as some holes, where awards were most likely once attached.

The left sleeve bears the correct Ortsgruppen Betriebsblockobmann operational armband, constructed of a red wool/cotton blend cloth with a central black swas on a white rayon field, which is attached with a gold yellow stitched border. There is also a large 14mm stripe of gold yellow tress going around the entire center of the band, which has the correct light blue piping at the edges. The armband is held in place by red tack stitches around the edge.

We checked under the band, and there is an original RZM tag present, though it is a bit wrinkled and loosely attached. The tag has a correct “B” tax code and features a RZM logo. The ink stamped numerical designation of the Herſteller (manufacturer) is not legible, however it still has a clear R № 400353 lot number beneath it.

Overall condition of the uniform is very good, with the colors very well retained, and no major damage, mothing or other issues. There is some wear to the insignia, and the blue piping around the edge of the collar. There is also some pulling of the seams and other expected issues from use and long age.

The tunic comes with a lovely service used NSDAP Leibriemenschloß für Politische Leiter (Belt Buckle for Political Leader), with the correct thick leather belt. The circular Political Leader’s buckle was introduced in 1940, a double open-claw buckle having been used prior to that. Prior to 1934, the SA Belt and buckle were used, but after 1940 this more ornate buckle was used.

The buckle is constructed of gold washed aluminum, and has a spread-winged NSDAP eagle with a wreathed, mobile swas in its talons. Encircling the eagle is a wreath of oak leaves, which the eagle’s wings extend into. The reverse of the buckle is concave, and has the buckle catch, which on the other end is crimped around the rectangular keeper. The outside of the keeper has an embossed oak leaf motif, while the inside has the claw for attaching to the buckle.

The back of the buckle is marked with an ((RZM)) circle and with the code M4/87, for Matthias Salcher & Söhne of Wagstadt, while the opposite clasp is marked on the back RZM M4/46, for Wilhelm Schröder & Co. of Lüdenscheid.

The leather belt is complete with keeper, and still retains the correct tab with a double rows of seven holes for length adjustment. It shows staining, wear, cracks, and other signs of service, and parts are definitely quite stiff, so it is most likely in need of conditioning, The buckle is currently attached to the third row of holes from the end, and in this configuration it measures 35 1/2" from clip to hook.

For the collector of NSDAP political uniforms, this is a particularly strong ensemble because the tunic preserves both political rank and operational insignia in the same garment. The Ortsgruppe light blue piping, Politischer-Leiter-Anwärter collar tabs, original Betriebsblockobmann armband with surviving RZM tag, gold Political Leader buttons, award loops, and accompanying late pattern Political Leader belt and buckle together create a highly complete and visually impressive local level political uniform.

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 10"
Shoulder to sleeve: 23.5"
Shoulder to shoulder: 18.5"
Chest width: 18.5"
Waist: 18"
Hip: 23.5"
Front length: 30"

Orts Role in Municipal Government
After the founding of NSDAP Germany, the political rank of Ortsgruppenleiter was held by the chief NSDAP member in a municipal area. In many situations, town and city administration overlapped with the NSDAP political system, meaning that the traditional local government was overshadowed, if not entirely replaced, by NSDAP leadership. Traditional government titles did continue to exist, such as Bürgermeister; however, if these positions were not already held by a corresponding NSDAP official, city government was little more than a rubber stamp to NSDAP designs.

During World War II, the position of Ortsgruppenleiter encompassed a large amount of responsibility and power as it was these NSDAP officials who typically ran the city civil defense systems as well as the allocation of war rations and civil relief efforts. As Germany was invaded and defeat became imminent, NSDAP leaders in major towns and cities also became ad hoc military commanders in charge of mixed-unit German forces and Volksturm units.

Between 1930 and 1932, the political rank of Ortsgruppenleiter was denoted by a braided shoulder cord and a white collar bar worn on a NSDAP Party brown shirt. After 1933, the rank was denoted by two light yellow collar bars. The actual rank of Ortsgruppenleiter was phased out of the Party in 1939, replaced by a large number of expanded paramilitary political titles. The position of Ortsgruppenleiter was after this time typically held by a Party Member with the rank of Abschnittsleiter, paired as well with a political armband denoting the specific position of Ortsgruppenleiter.