Germany, Waffen-SS. A Regiment “Deutschland” Artillery Obersturmführer Field Blouse w. Honour Chevron of the Old Guard

(Waffen-SS Standarte “Deutschland” Artillerie Obersturmführer Feldbluse). A well preserved example of a Waffen-SS Standarte “Deutschland” Artillery Obersturmführer tunic, constructed of field-grey wool. It features a traditional turned-down collar that transitions into short lapels terminating at breast-height. The collar is decorated with a thick twisted string constructed of silver aluminum bullion wire, fastened to the outside edge of the collar. It also features a matching set of Waffen-SS collar tabs, both constructed of a buckram core, with a black wool upper, and with a twisted string constructed of silver aluminum bullion wire along the outside of the tab. The right tab features a set of dual Sig runes constructed of twisted silver aluminum bullion wire, while the left tab features a singular strip of silver aluminum bullion tresse with three silvered aluminum rank pips oriented diagonally across the tab, signifying the rank of Obersturmführer. The collar is flanked on either side by a sewn-on shoulder board that is secured to the uniform via stitching on the shoulder, as well as a magnetic pebbled button. The shoulder boards are constructed of a cardstock core, featuring a black wool exterior, with bright red piping along the outside of the board, along with two sets of dual strands of silver aluminum bullion chords, featuring a singular rank pip and the cypher “D” for “Deutschland” on both boards, also denoting the rank of Obersturmführer. This tunic features dual pockets at breast height as well as at waist height. The breast pockets are of an exterior style that are pleated, with scalloped flaps and a single pebbled button securing them shut. Above and on the right pocket are a series of five horizontally-mounted loops and two vertically-mounted loops for the attachment of awards. The pockets at waist height are integrated into the tunic, with an equally scalloped flap and singular pebbled button securing them shut. The left sleeve was once adorned by a Waffen-SS sleeve eagle, which has been removed, with an outline and black threads remaining where the eagle once sat. The right sleeve is ordained at shoulder-height with an Honour Chevron for the Old guard, constructed of interlaced and woven aluminum bullion wire and two parallel-running black threading, all on an interwoven green-grey rayon backer. The sleeves are otherwise plain, with a folded cuff that is sewn into place to keep it from unraveling during wear. The right cuff was once decorated with a cuff title with an outline and black threads remaining where it once sat. The front of the tunic is split into two sides, and can be secured shut using a series of four pebbled buttons that meet an equal number of reinforced buttholes on the opposing side. The top buttonhole is decorated with a ribbon for a “Winter Battle in the East 1941-42” medal (Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42), and is sewn into place by hand using black thread. Centrally along the reverse of the tunic, near the bottom, is a 260 mm long pleated slit supported by a single pebbled decorative button on either side. The interior is lined with grey-coloured cotton fabric on the body of the tunic, with both sleeves lined using off-white coloured cotton fabric with a dual blue linear pattern. On the interior of the left flap at breast height is a lined horizontal-slit pocket, with an additional reinforced horizontal cutout for the threading-through of the accompanying dagger hanger that is sewn to the interior of the armpit, and features a functional magnetic clasp. It features a label on the interior of the tunic directly underneath the collar with a patch reading “Knagge & Weitz, München” on a machine embroidered patch. It measures 44 cm across the shoulders (seam to seam), with a sleeve length of 65 cm, and an overall body length of 80 cm. This tunic is overall extremely well preserved, free from obvious signs of wear or age, with the exception of missing the sleeve eagle, cuff title, and showing a 145 mm long tailored repair under the left armpit. It is overall in near extremely fine condition.