Germany, SS. A Rare Waffen-SS Brigadeführer’s Tunic, with Awards, by L. Kielleuthner

(Waffen-SS Waffenrock für Brigadeführer, mit Auszeichnungen). A rare and well-preserved SS-Brigadeführer’s tunic, constructed of high-quality field-grey Italian wool. It features a turned down collar, fully lined with smooth green wool, flanked on each side by tabs. Constructed of fine black doeskin with buckram cores, the tabs are trimmed with twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire piping and bear three oak leaves and acorns of identical construction. The tabs both measure 45 mm (w) x 60 mm (l). The shoulders are flanked by boards constructed of smooth grey wool with buckram cores, topped by two bands of gold bullion wire piping which are interwoven with a single band of silver aluminum wire piping. Each measuring 42 mm (w) x 100 mm (h), the boards are secured in place at the outer edge with machine stitching and on the inner edge with pebbled aluminum and magnetic metal buttons on the inner edge. Stitched onto the upper left arm is an insignia consisting of a black wool backer bearing a silver aluminum wire SS-style German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika. The insignia measures 90 mm (w) x 40 mm (h). Each cuff is rolled up and secured in place with machine stitching. Two pleated pockets are set into each breast, all closing with scalloped flaps with reinforced buttonholes meeting pebbled magnetic metal buttons. Two sets of vertically-arranged threaded loops are set over the upper left pocket for the accommodation of decorations with vertical pinbacks, while a group of five horizontally-arranged loops just above the same pocket accommodates a medal or ribbon bar. A slate-grey rayon liner fully encompasses the interior, transitioning into a pinstripe design through the arms. Hidden pockets are set into each breast, with the interior of the left pocket retaining a manufacturer’s label formerly bearing the owner’s name, which has been rendered illegible with time. A strap descending from the left armpit and flanking the pocket meets a reinforced slit set into the lower half of the tunic for the accommodation of a dagger hanger. An additional manufacturer’s label is stitched into place just below the collar, reading “L. KIELLEUTHNER, MÜNCHEN” for a documented high-quality wartime uniform manufacturer. The tunic measures approximately 42 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 58 cm, and an overall body length of 74 cm. Minor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some fatigue to the outer wool (with a small hole directly beside the bottom breast button), and some additional fatigue and soiling to the interior liner. It is in an overall near extremely fine condition.

The tunic is accompanied by a number of awards belonging to the owner, which are neatly presented on a reinforced field-grey velvet backer, including:

1 A Croatian Order of King Zvonimir, I Class with Swords, constructed of gilded bronze with enamels, consisting of a Croatian Cross with white enameled arms, the obverse arms bearing gilded trefoil designs, overlaid by a central white enameled disc bearing a raised and gilded Crown of King Zvonimir, pierced through the centre by crossed swords, the reverse bearing a gilt inscription of “BOG I HRVATI” (“GOD AND CROATIA”) across the three and nine o’clock arms, with the six and twelve o’clock arms bearing gilt dates “1076-1941”, the twelve o’clock arm topped by a bar accommodating a suspension loop which retains a period original neck ribbon, unmarked but demonstrating the physical characteristics of manufacture by Braća Knaus, Zagreb, measuring 50.59 mm (w) x 50.90 mm (h), with minor flecking and loss of finish visible to the enamels and base metal, respectively, in near extremely fine condition.

2. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class, constructed of iron and silver, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a vaulted frame, the obverse with a central initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse retaining a threaded lug and nut with a matching disc, without visible marks, measuring 42.76 mm (w) x 42.42 mm (h), demonstrating oxidation throughout the core and a consistent patina to the frame and reverse fixtures, in poor condition.

3. A Black Grade Wound Badge, constructed of blackened bronze, the obverse consisting of an oval laurel leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, around a central raised Stahlhelm overlaid by a mobile swastika, on top of crossed swords on a pebbled field, the reverse with a clip hinge and vertical pinback meeting a flat wire catch, unmarked, measuring 36.58 mm (w) x 43.80 mm (h), with minor loss of finish evident, in near extremely fine condition.

4. A Bavarian Order of Military Merit, IV Class Cross with Swords, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with blue enameled arms joined together through the quadrants by stylized silver flames, the obverse bearing a central black enameled medallion overlaid by a silver monogram of King Ludwig II, within a white enameled belt and buckle bearing a silvered inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) and arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm riveted with a crossed sword clasp, the reverse bearing a central black enameled medallion overlaid by a silvered Bavarian lion rampant, within a white enameled belt and buckle bearing a silvered institution date of “1866” with arabesques, the reverse of the sword clasp maker marked “JL” for the firm of Jacob Leser, Munich, measuring 41.22 mm (w) x 50.58 mm (h), weighing 26.4 grams, accompanied by a correct but mis-matched presentation case, constructed of a light wooden frame with a faux light blue leather exterior liner, the lid bearing an embossed and silvered inscription of “BAYR. M. V. O. 4. KL.”, the interior with a padded white rayon lid liner retaining a strap to secure the decoration’s ribbon in place during storage, the former maker marked “GEBRÜDER HEMMERLE, MÜNCHEN”, with a depressed white velvet medal bed, closing with a functional metal snap button, measuring 60 mm (w) x 75 mm (l) x 22 mm (h), the cross demonstrates loosening of the sword clasp in addition to minor tarnishing of the silver base metal and some flecking of the enamels, while the case demonstrates moderate material fatigue throughout, in overall better than very fine condition.

5. A small sweetheart brooch, constructed of bronze, the obverse bearing a small locket-sized photo of an unidentified infant, the reverse with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, very fine.