Germany, Heer. A Gebirgs-Pionier Oberfeldwebel Service Tunic

(Heer Dienstrock für Oberfeldwebel der einen Oberfeldwebel der Gebirgs-Pionier-Bataillon 83). A well-preserved Heer service tunic issued to an Oberfeldwebel of Gebirgs-Pionier-Bataillon 83. It is constructed of multiple panels of field-grey wool cloth, and features a turned down collar topped by a layer of smooth dark green wool. The collar is trimmed with a silver-grey aluminum wire tresse, and flanked by tabs constructed of dark green wool with buckram cores, each topped by silver-grey and dark green threaded insignia, and measuring 35 mm (w) x 70 mm (l). The shoulders are flanked by straps constructed of field-grey wool, topped by a layer of dark green wool, trimmed with black piping, bordered by silver aluminum wire tresses, and pinned with silvered numerals “83” flanked by pips. The latter indicate distribution to a member of Gebirgs-Pionier-Bataillon 83. Measuring 40 mm (w) x 110 mm (l), the straps are secured in place with machine stitching at the outer edge and with pebbled magnetic metal buttons on the inner edge. Stitched onto the upper right arm is a Heer Gebirgsjäger Enlisted ranks insignia, constructed of a dark green wool backer, bearing a machine-embroidered multi-coloured edelweiss situated within a knotted border topped by a piton, and measuring 50 mm (w) x 70 mm (h). Four pockets are set into the breasts, all closing with scalloped flaps which are perforated with reinforced buttonholes, in turn meeting pebbled magnetic metal buttons. The uppermost pockets are pleated, with the left side overlaid by two sets of dual threaded loops for the accommodation of badges with vertical pinbacks. Stitched onto the breast just above the top right pocket is an insignia consisting of a dark green wool backer bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 105 mm (w) x 45 mm (h). The tunic closes with eight pebbled buttons on the right side meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left stitched. Stitched through the second buttonhole is a 1939 Iron Cross II Class ribbon. The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece slate-grey rayon liner, which features a single pocket located at the upper left breast. Size dimensions are stamped onto the liner just above the former, along with a manufacture date of “M39”. Otherwise unmarked, the tunic measures approximately 44 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 54 cm, and an overall body length of 60 cm. Issues consistent with age and field use are evident, and include minor and sporadic fatigue to  the wool base, loss of finish to the buttons with the replacement of one breast button, soiling to the collar, and some fatigue of the interior liner. This scarce example of a specialized and unit-attributed service tunic remains in a better than very fine condition.