Germany, Democratic Republic. A Mixed Lot of Uniforms

(Uniformen). A mixed lot of East German uniforms, including:

1. A Nationale Volksarmee (National People’s Army/NVA) Hauptmann’s tunic, constructed of field-grey whipcord wool. It features a turned-down collar, topped by a layer of grey wool, which is flanked on each side by tabs. Measuring 45 mm (w) x 70 mm (l), each tab is constructed of an olive-drab rayon base and is topped by silver aluminum wire insignia bisected by white threaded piping. The shoulders are flanked by boards constructed of white rayon with card stock cores, topped by four bands of silver aluminum wire piping, and pinned with four gilded pips. Measuring 35 mm (w) x 105 mm (l), the boards are secured in place with a reverse strap which fits through dual loops emanating the tunic, with the inner loop fitting through a pebbled magnetic metal button. The cuff of each sleeve is rolled up to a depth of 12 cm and is fixed in place with a row of machine stitching around the top edge. Four pleated pockets are set into the breasts, all closing with scalloped flaps perforated with reinforced buttonholes, in turn meeting pebbled magnetic metal buttons. The tunic closes with five pebbled magnetic metal buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left. Secured to the tunic with loops at the right shoulder board and penultimate breast button if a Marksmanship Lanyard for Rifle Shooting, constructed of a silver aluminum wire cord pinned with an aluminum insignia consisting of an oval oak leaf wreath overlaid by crossed rifles, measuring 45 mm (w) x 50 mm (h). The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece field-grey rayon liner. A pocket is set into the upper half of each breast, both fastening closed with a bakelite button. The interior of the left pocket is stamped with fully-legible size and depot codes. Measuring 43 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 56 cm, and an overall body length of 68 cm, the tunic demonstrates no notable damage or wear and remains in an extremely fine condition.

2. An NVA Unteroffizier’s uniform, consisting of a tunic and trousers. The former is constructed of field-grey wool, and features a turned-down collar, topped by slate-grey wool, which is flanked on each side by tabs. Measuring 35 mm (w) x 60 mm (l), the tabs are constructed of a slate-grey rayon base and are topped by a silver aluminum wire insignia bearing three lengths of machine-embroidered green piping. The shoulders are flanked by straps constructed of field-grey wool, trimmed with green piping, and bordered by silver aluminum wire tresses. Each measuring 45 mm (w) x 105 mm (l), they are secured in place with a reverse strap which fits through dual loops emanating from the tunic, with the inner edge featuring a pebbled magnetic metal button. The cuff of each sleeve is rolled up to a depth of 12 cm and is fixed in place with a row of machine stitching around the top edge, which is also trimmed with green piping. Four pleated pockets are set into the breasts, all closing with scalloped flaps perforated with reinforced buttonholes, in turn meeting pebbled magnetic metal buttons. The tunic closes with five pebbled magnetic metal buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left. The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece beige cotton liner. A pocket is set into the upper half of each breast, both fastening closed with bakelite buttons, while an additional narrow pocket is set into the lower edge of the right breast flap. The upper left flap is stamped with an NVA issue mark, alongside depot and size codes. Measuring 42 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 58 cm, and an overall body length of 72 cm. Demonstrating only minor material fatigue, it remains in an extremely fine condition. The accompanying trousers are constructed of a near-identical field-grey wool, and feature a French fly closing with four bakelite buttons. Three exterior pockets are distributed around waist, with two set into the upper thighs and one reverse pocket closing with a single bakelite button. The interior is stamped with depot and size marks. Measuring 37 cm across the waist, with an inseam of 30 cm, and an overall length of 97 cm, the exterior material demonstrates minor soiling and material fatigue, but the trousers remain in a near extremely fine condition.

3. A Volkspolizei Officer’s uniform, consisting of a tunic and trousers. The former is constructed of olive-drab wool, featuring a turned-down collar flanked by tabs. Each measuring 40 mm (w) x 70 mm (l), the tabs are constructed of a dark green wool base and topped by machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire insignia, in turn bisected by green threaded piping. The shoulders are flanked by boards constructed of green rayon with card stock cores, topped by four bands of silver aluminum wire piping, and pinned with a single gilded pip. The boards are secured in place with a reverse strap which fits through loops emanating from the tunic, with the inner edge held with a pebbled magnetic metal button. The cuff of each sleeve is rolled up to a depth of 9 cm and is fixed in place with a row of machine stitching around the top edge. Four pleated pockets are set into the breasts, all closing with scalloped pockets perforated with reinforced buttonholes meeting pebbled magnetic metal buttons. The breasts closed with five pebbled magnetic metal buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. The interior is partially encompassed by a multi-piece liner, demonstrating evidence of repair or modification to the right flap. A single pocket is set into the upper left breast, and is topped by stamped depot and size marks. Measuring approximately 39 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 56 cm, and an overall body length of 71 cm. Demonstrating minor material fatigue in addition to the modified interior, it remains in a better than very fine condition. The accompanying trousers are constructed of an identical olive-drab wool, and feature six belt loops (two of which also loop over the waistband for the accommodation of suspenders) distributed around the exterior. A French fly closes with three bakelite buttons, with an additional bakelite button on the waistband meeting a strap which emanates from the fly’s top edge. Two side pockets are set into the upper thighs, while a single reverse pocket located at the top of the right leg closes with a single bakelite button. The interior is stamped with depot and size marks over the chamber of the back pocket. Measuring approximately 37 cm across the waist, with an inseam of 30 cm, and an overall length of 98 cm, the trousers demonstrate minor material fatigue, including a hand-stitched repair to the upper right thigh, and remain in a better than very fine condition.