U-086 RAD Officer’s Privately Tailored
Uniform Ensemble
A really spectacular set up, this grouping consists of the Robin Hood
cap, overcoat, tunic and breeches. GREATCOAT: A very impressive
garment made of dark olive brown doeskin wool (outstanding quality and a very
soft feel) with the collar portion faced in deep chocolate brown wool/felt. The
brown is complemented by a super pair of black velvet faced collar tabs with
gleaming hand embroidered aluminum bullion insignia. The sew-in shoulder boards
are in shiny silver braid, with alternating thin black chevron lines along the
braid. These were probably an upgrade from NCO boards, since the coat was of
such high quality that the fellow wanted to continue using it – thus, some
shoulder seam securing threads are visible around the base of the left board,
from when it was sewn in to replace the previous NCO board. There is an
outstanding, very neatly applied machine woven black RAD Unit shield patch on
the left sleeve. The spade is in aluminum thread with the unit numbers “188 /
2” in red. Below the patch is a fairly wide, printed cotton NSDAP (party)
armband, securely stitched to the sleeve along both the top and bottom edges.
The interior is lined in dark olive green rayon, nice and smooth and in very
nice condition, with only some light freckling up in the shoulders (small,
faint, discolored spots on the lining). TUNIC: Approximately size 36,
made from high quality pale grayish-brown Trikot wool with an open-faced style
collar (offene Fasson) and lapels, with the collar itself faced in a nicely
contrasting deep chocolate brown wool/felt. The tunic is in very good condition,
with only a tiny bit of tracking on the lower skirt – almost unnoticeable –
and a small fabric snag just to the right of the right waist pocket. The tunic
has two pleated breast pockets with straight edged flaps, and hidden waist
pockets with canted openings and straight edged flaps. All of the required
pebbled aluminum buttons are present. The collar has a superb set of Officer’s
aluminum bullion collar tabs on black velvet backings. There is a perfect set of
sew-in junior Officer shoulder boards with handsome black underlay and shiny
braid with alternating, thin, black chevrons. The left sleeve has a superb,
original machine woven RAD Unit shield with the white spade and red Unit numbers
“188 / 2” on a black backing, very neatly applied, but with some stitches
broken along the top front edge (it remains pretty secure). A nice,
printed cotton party armband is securely attached (both top and bottom edges) to
the sleeve. There is a set of loops for a medal or badge on the left breast
pocket. The interior is lined in a handsome, dark bronze colored, heavy rayon
fabric in real nice condition with only some light soiling here and there. BREECHES:
In super condition, and only a fraction of a shade different in color from the
tunic; these are also expertly tailored from very high quality Trikot wool
fabric, and come complete with the original brown bakelite buttons, functioning
zippers along the ankle/ calf slits (and rare!). They are in practically un-used
condition and would fit a person with a waist up to about 28” and standing
about 5’7” most likely (possibly 5’8”). The interior waist in nicely
lined in quality fabrics that definitely point to private tailoring. ROBIN
HOOD CAP: incredibly distinctive, the collector-coined term “Robin Hood”
cap relates to the similarity with the headgear worn by Robin’s merry
followers. It is made of fairly rigid, formed compressed felt in a slightly
smoky brown color. The top of the cap was made to take a slight “U” shaped
dip, like a civilian Fedora. The top has air vent grommets on each side. Around
the front of the cap body is a 2” high, dark reddish-brown cap band with the
ends sewn to the cap body about midway around the sides (roughly, to a point
above the ears). At the front center of the band there is a fantastic, optional
private purchase, embroidered bullion RAD insignia (about 1.75” wide from
wheat sprig tip to wheat sprig tip and just over 1.5” high). The cap’s side
skirts are nearly 2.75” high, their top edges piped in thick black cord. There
is a really nice metal tinnie pinned to the left side skirt. The round visor is
slightly downward slanted, nice and firm – and in perfect condition. About two
inches inward from the brim runs a curving, horseshoe-shaped line of flat,
aluminum braid piping; the ends meet the cap body. The approximate size 58
interior is lined in pale gold rayon (definitely private purchase), and there is
a full tan leather sweatband (super condition, very little wear). This RAD
Officer had some Reichsmarks to spend; indeed, he seems to have spared no
expense in the tailoring of this extremely high quality ensemble!
$4,500.00
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Item U-086
