Germany, Heer. A Jäger Enlisted Personnel M44 Field Tunic, Vienna Depot Issue

(Heer Feldbluse M43 für Mannschaften der Jägertruppe). A very well-preserved Heer Jäger Enlisted personnel M44 field tunic, constructed of a coarse field-grey wool cloth. It features a turn-down collar which is flanked on each side by Litzen-style collar tabs constructed of a silver-grey wire base, topped by a central dark green embroidered tresse flanked on each side by meadow-green embroidered bars, measuring 25 mm (w) x 65 mm (l). The shoulders are topped by straps constructed of identical field-grey wool, trimmed with meadow-green piping, and bearing reverse integral straps perforated with reinforced buttonholes. Each measuring 45 mm (w) x 120 mm (l), the straps are secured in position with a loop at the outer edge and with a pebbled metal button on the inner edge. Stitched onto the upper right arm is a Jäger insignia consisting of a dark green wool backer bearing machine-embroidered light green oak leaves and acorns, situated within a ribbed border, measuring 50 mm (w) x 65 mm (h). The upper left arm features a Jäger/Gebirgsjäger-issue Signals insignia, consisting of a dark green wool backer bearing a machine-embroidered light green lightning bolt. Two large, non-pleated pockets are set into the breasts, each closing with horizontal flaps perforated with reinforced buttonholes which meet pebbled metal buttons. The breasts close with six pebbled metal buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. A multi-piece olive-drab cotton liner partially encompasses the interior, and is stamped on the right with size dimensions and a mark of “WB44”, indicating distribution by the Vienna Depot. Notably, the left flap bears a handwritten owner’s rank and name of “WCHTM. KRENN”. The tunic measures approximately 42.5 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 58 cm, and an overall body length of 54 cm when placed on a flat surface. Period replacement of some of the insignia is evident, but the tunic demonstrates no notable damage or wear and is a superb example of an M44 garment in extremely fine condition.