Original German WWII Luftwaffe Signals Hauptmann Officer Two Pocket Fliegerbluse Tunic - Converted from EM/NCO Tunic

Original Item: Only One Available. This very nice German Luftwaffe Offiziersränge (Officer Ranks) Two Pocket Fliegerbluse (Flyer's Blouse) Service Tunic is in lovely lightly used condition. This great piece is produced in blue grey wool and still retains the original colors very well. Close examination however shows that this example was originally for an Enlisted or NC soldier, and then was converted into an officer tunic, most likely by a tailor. This included replacing all of the insignia on the tunic, as well as modifying the interior and left waist pocket for attachment of an officer dagger. There is now a hanger strap on the interior, and a large eyelet that opens at the top of the pocket. Definitely some interesting history to this tunic!

The tunic has a "hidden" button main closure, with 4 dark blue bakelite buttons on the right side meeting an equal number of hidden buttonholes on the left. There is a smaller fifth button for if the wearer wanted to close up the front of the collar, along with a hook and loop style closure. The two hip pockets have forward edge curved flaps, secured with blue pebbled aluminum buttons. It has a beautiful silver bullion embroidered officer's Luftwaffe Breast Eagle sewn on the top of the right breast, which is correctly sewn to the outer layer of fabric, and in great shape.

The interior of the tunic is partly lined with a combination of blue gray light cotton canvas and rayon, which shows only light wear, though it most likely was modified at some point during the tunic's life. The left inside liner has a complete maker stamp, which gives the sizes of the tunic as well :-

Leopold Lautenschläger
Uniformfabrik
Karlsruhe

39  90  42
--         --
60        58

The collar of this officer's tunic has a twisted bullion border, correct for a Luftwaffe officer's fliegerbluse. The attached Kragenpatten (Collar Flaps) are in Braun (Saddle Brown), the correct Luftwaffe Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for the Air communications corps (Luftnachrichtentruppe), usually referred to as "Signals". The sew-in style Schulterklappen (Shoulder Boards or Epaulettes) have the same color piping, and have four rows of silver "Russia Braid" around the edge with two silver rank "Pips" on each, indicating the rank of Hauptmann (Captain). This is confirmed by the collar insignia, which each show three "gull wing" insignia over an oak leaf wreath.

There are multiple thread loops on the left breast, as well as some below, for the attachment of medal ribbon bars and individual awards. We can assume that this soldier was relatively well-decorated, especially if they were able to rise from an EM/NCO to a company grade officer.

Overall condition is very nice, with just a bit of light wear, and some moth damage on the lower front left. A great chance to pick up a great condition Luftwaffe Signals Officer tunic with a very interesting history. This would display great as is, or could be dressed up with additional items like, awards, a cap, and trousers.

The Luftwaffe, the air force of the German military during the Third Reich, was established in 1935. Over the next 10 years, Luftwaffe troops wore a huge variety of uniforms. Enlisted men generally wore uniforms issued from military depots. Most enlisted soldiers had wool trousers and a short jacket with two internal lower pockets, called a Fliegerbluse, as well as a dressier 4-pocket tunic, the Tuchrock. Officers wore the same general uniform styles, but as officers had to supply their own uniforms, they usually wore tailor made versions. There were also myriad varieties of specialized uniforms worn by certain units or in specific situations, from the tuxedo-style “gala” formal wear uniform of the pre-war period, to the plain coveralls worn by crews of anti-aircraft cannons. There were work uniforms, tropical and summer uniforms, and camouflage clothing for airborne troops and other Luftwaffe soldiers in ground combat. Flight crews had their own specialized gear, including leather jackets and warm, electrically heated suits. Most but not all Luftwaffe uniform jackets bore the Luftwaffe emblem of a flying eagle holding a swas.