Germany, Heer. A Pioneer Leutnant Summer Tunic, Field-Made from Red Army Cloth

(Heer Sommerrock für einen Leutnant der Pioniere). An interesting Heer Pioneer (engineer and construction personnel) Leutnant’s summer tunic, constructed of captured Red Army plash-palatka (poncho/shelter) cloth, which is executed in a light brown cotton blend. The tunic features a turned-down collar which is lined on the obverse with a layer of smooth dark green wool, while the reverse is reinforced with machine-embroidered darts. Pioneer tabs flank the collar, both constructed of a dark green wool base with a buckram core, topped by two silver aluminum wire insignia bisected by green threaded bands, and measuring 40 mm (w) x 70 mm (l). The shoulders are topped by boards constructed of black wool with rigid card stock cores and topped by four bands of silver aluminum wire piping. Each measuring 35 mm (w) x 100 mm (l), the boards are secured in position with a loop set into the outer edge of the shoulders, and with pebbled metal buttons stitched to the inner edge. The cuff of each sleeve is rolled up to a depth of 14 cm and held in position with two pieces of stitching. Four pleated pockets are set into the breasts, all closing with scalloped flaps perforated with reinforced buttonholes, in turn meeting pebbled metal buttons. Stitched onto the upper right breast is a field-upgraded insignia consisting of a dark green wool backer bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, with owner-added silver aluminum wire highlights added to reflect an Officer’s rank. The eagle insignia measures 105 mm (w) x 45 mm (h) overall. Three sets of dual vertical loops are set into the upper left pocket for the accommodation of awards with vertical pinbacks, while additional horizontal loops above the same pocket facilitate the inclusion of a ribbon bar. Five reinforced buttonholes have been set into the left breast, formerly meeting five pebbled metal buttons (three of which are retained in position, while one is included but has become detached from the right flap). The interior is plain and unmarked, with the exception of a hanging loop set into the collar, itself improvised out of Wehrmacht tresse material. The tunic measures approximately 43 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 60 cm, and an overall body length of 65 cm. Issues consistent with age and field use are evident, and include soiling and material fatigue to the base metal, the detachment of the right shoulder board’s reverse strap, and detachment of two of the tunic flap buttons (one of which is retained, with one lost to time). A quintessential example of a field-made tunic improvised from Red Army shelter material, notably favoured by Wehrmacht Officers and NCOs in warm climate conditions, this improvised example remains in a very fine condition.